Heavy lifting at work? advice needed please

retroloose

I'm currently working in the wind turbine industry as of recent and I'm being put in positions where I'm expected to do repetitive lifting eg 35-60kg , carrying 35 kg up ladders with one arm etc about 40 times a day , I've mentioned it to my workmates but they just do
it and don't complain or see the danger , I'm starting to feel it with sore knees and clicking wrists , am I being unrealistic? , I thought the day of heavy lifting in the workplace was gone.
I'm working for a huge German company in Ireland yet the health and safety is terrible due to Irish people in that area setting the standard low with little respect for there health.
My supervisor has never once said don't lift that or we will use the crane, when I ask can I use the cranes I'm told it takes too long.

I'm really angry about it and feel like turning nasty when asked to lift heavy weights. Its like as if its a culture of hero's or just brainless people yet the head boss knows well what's going on but covers hiss ass sending out safety alerts.

Any advice please.

Oink

Has there been any health and safety training? It sounds like like there's a few heroes in your place who will be retiring early.

I know there's a recession, but you only have one back.

That sounds outrageous. I've worked in the industry too and those kinds of things would never have happened in the company I worked for.

I don't know what your work environment is like but I wouldn't have cared who asked me, I would have point blank refused to carry those weights up a tower. If you're working for a first party who are in turn working for any sort of large customer I'm really surprised these sort of practices go on.

Tzardine

Lifting 35 kilo up a ladder with one hand 40 times a day ? That's almost two full suitcases.

newmug

What company is this?





MOD-NOTE: Don't ask. Please stick to discussing the issue and giving the OP advice about how to contact the relevant H&S authorities.

leeroybrown

At those weights in that environment you're well past the point where specialist manual handling and safety equipment should be provided along with safety training specific to your environment. I'm not a health and safety nut but here the acute fall risk alone is huge let alone the chronic long-term injury possibilities.

Greenmachine

Experienced similar carry on with a japanese pharma company here in Ireland too. No climbing as such but lifting 60kg+drums alone.

Whosthis

Report them to the HSA http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Workplace_Contact_Unit/ . Visit from an inspector, site shut down, things will change soon enough.

Rubberchikken

contact the HSA.
the days of lifting those weights is long gone.
would it be allowed in the parent company in germany i wonder?

you only get once chance of a healthy back and arms.

Rhys Essien

Bags of cement were reduced from 50kg to 25kg in 2003 for a reason.As said,give the HSA a call and see what they think.

PS
Carrying 35kg up ladders with one arm is sheer lunacy.The days of the heroes in jobs is long gone.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/business/manufacturers-to-halve-weight-of-cement-bags-119448.html

FrPhelimYoung

I'm familiar with the industry you work in. To be frank I am shocked to see this happening. The industry is reasonably young but these issues are well known and depending on the employer obviously should be addressed. Not only from the manual handling perspective but the potential for dropped items in a turbine with these practises is very high and consequences can be horrific. I'm surprised to hear you can't use the installed crane in the nacelle. Sometimes technicians can carry small items on there person or in sealed tool bags but there should be strict guidelines on this and it should be risk assessed. From what you've said already you're probably better moving on. It's clear the employer doesn't give a **** about you or your workmates. It's only a matter of time before you or one of your colleagues gets seriously injured.

Are you working on the installation / construction side of things or service and maintenance?

I'm really interested to know who the company you work for....does it begin with an E, an N or an S???
MOD-NOTE: please take this but to PM ...

Borzoi

retroloose wrote: »

I'm working for a huge German company in Ireland yet the health and safety is terrible due to Irish people in that area setting the standard low with little respect for there health.

I'm really angry about it and feel like turning nasty when asked to lift heavy weights. Its like as if its a culture of hero's or just brainless people yet the head boss knows well what's going on but covers hiss ass sending out safety alerts.

Any advice please.

Tbh I'm amazed at your post OP. I work in construction as this sort of thing is a total no no.

Have you had any Manual Handling or Working At Height training? Absolutely essential to cover the employees and the company.

In a nutshell, only carry what you are comfortable with, the days of limits are gone. If you're not happy with it, don't carry it- the onus is on you if you've been trained.
Regarding ladders, you can't carry anything as three points of contact are needed on the ladder with your last limb free to move in order to ascend. So no carrying.

Contact the HSA

Borzoi

Borzoi wrote: »

Regarding ladders, you can't carry anything as three points of contact are needed on the ladder with your last limb free to move in order to ascend. So no carrying.

Contact the HSA

This had me confused too, is the OP saying he doesn't have lanyards to hold bags and stuff if he's climbing? I mean if you're working in turbines you absolutely have to have lanyards.

retroloose

Thanks for the replys guys, I meant to say there is repetitive lifting even into the company vehicles , most of the towers have lifts which get maxed out with service equipment as they won't use the crane (it takes too long) its repetitive climbing of stairs too fully loaded with service equipment in both arms and only 12 foot ladders up top, but horsing 65 kg out of the lifts up top where you cannot even bend your knees properly is madness in this day and age.

the_syco

Do a course on lifting at your own expense. It may seem dear, but it's cheap when you consider the doctors bills in a few years.

leeroybrown

the_syco wrote: »

Do a course on lifting at your own expense. It may seem dear, but it's cheap when you consider the doctors bills in a few years.

I don't think any manual handling course could teach someone to handle a 35Kg lift on a ladder safely. It's just not supposed to be done anymore. Almost all raw materials are now shipped in 25Kg bags (max) and above that manual handling equipment is the norm.

the_syco

leeroybrown wrote: »

I don't think any manual handling course could teach someone to handle a 35Kg lift on a ladder safely. It's just not supposed to be done anymore. Almost all raw materials are now shipped in 25Kg bags (max) and above that manual handling equipment is the norm.

In that case the OP better find a new job whilst he can still physically work!

K4t

retroloose wrote: »

but horsing 65 kg out of the lifts up top where you cannot even bend your knees properly is madness in this day and age.

the_syco wrote: »

Do a course on lifting at your own expense. It may seem dear, but it's cheap when you consider the doctors bills in a few years.

I don't think you fully grasp the situation..

Talk to your supervisor and ask your workmates to do likewise. Tell him it's not feasible and that it's unsafe, and that the process needs to be changed. Good luck.