Whatever the reason for it, there's often a lot of heavy lifting involved, including desks, office equipment, refrigeration units and furniture. Moving companies, of course, can take care of this, but perhaps in an effort to save on expenses, you may want to recruit the help of some of your staff members. Group projects like these can not only keep your business' costs down, but also build staff camaraderie.
The only issue to be aware of is the fact that injuries can easily result if your workers don't exercise the proper precautions during the moving process. Slip and fall accidents are the second-most common cause of lost-workday injuries, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
The following tips can help ensure that moving day is a successful one, free from anyone getting injured:
Always lift with the legs, not the back, when moving heavy objects
Ensure that all walkways are free of any obstacles and tripping hazards
When moving bulky items down stairwells, have someone behind the moving pair to guide their steps, pointing out when a step is coming
Repair all walking surfaces
Anchor loose mats or rugs that may cause tripping
Instruct workers to wear sneakers rather than footwear that's not conducive to moving, like Crocs, sandals or flip-flops
Don't overload boxes
Make sure boxes being transported are below carriers' field of vision
Take frequent breaks to avoid employee fatigue
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health have a useful document you can download that offers other workplace solutions to preventing slips, trips and falls. The National Safety Council has some suggestions as well.
Accidents that happen on the job can cause workers to miss several days or even weeks if their injuries are substantial enough. Workers compensation insurance provides them with the funding they need to sustain themselves financially while recuperating.