The Delivery area of a restaurant offers
young workers an opportunity for developing skills in communication,
material handling, and inventory control. Young workers in this area
may also be exposed to the following hazards:
Remember: Child labor
laws do not permit
workers younger than 18 to operate forklifts or
workers younger than 16 to
load or unload goods on
or off trucks, railcars, or
conveyors.
Workers can injure themselves during
reaching and lifting of heavy loads
while unloading and stacking supplies
for restaurants. The risk of injury
increase if done in awkward
postures.
Possible Solutions
Young
Worker Solutions
Employers have the
primary responsibility for protecting
the safety and health of their workers.
Employees are responsible for following
the safe work practices of their
employers.
A palletizer on a pallet jack lifts the
load to a convenient level
Lift with
your legs
Don't
lift with your back
Avoid lifting while twisting
Stack heavier
items on lower shelves.
Store lighter
goods on the top shelves.
Stack items used
most frequently at a convenient
waist level.
Get help lifting
heavy items.
Use a stool or
ladder to access items on shelves.
Do not stand on chairs or boxes
that might tip over.
Lighten the load
to be lifted by encouraging
employer to purchase smaller and
therefore lighter cartons of
stock.
Use proper lifting techniques
when performing manual lifts to
minimize the risk to the back.
However, a heavy load (35
pounds or more for young
workers) can cause injury even
with perfect technique. Do not
manually lift heavy loads
alone; get help.
Use handrails if
traveling on stairs, avoid undue
speed, and carry only items that
you can safely see over.
Limit lifting by
hand. Use hand carts
when moving products. Have
employees 18 or older use any
available mechanical equipment
such as lift assist devices,
forklifts, and pallet jacks to
help with lifting and
transporting products.
Wear gloves to prevent
exposure to nails and
slivers.
Use a hand cart if
possible.
Get help with heavy
loads.
See that the load is balanced
and stable.
Do not lift a load that is
too heavy, slippery, hot, or
unevenly balanced.
Make sure you have a clear
traveling path.
Lifting:
Bring the load as close to
you as possible before lifting.
Avoid reaching across something
to lift a load. This moves the
load away from the body and
increases your chance of
injury.
Lift with your legs, not your
back.
Keep your head up, your back
straight, and bend at your
hips.
Shift your feet to turn;
don't twist your body.
Keep the load directly in
front of your body. Avoid
reaching to the side and
lifting while twisting.
Perform lifts at waist
height, with the elbows in
close to the body.
Avoid
awkward postures while
lifting such as reaching and
twisting, or lateral or side
bending.
Lowering:
Remember that body position
when setting the load down is
just as important as when
picking the load up. Use your
leg muscles to comfortably
lower the load by bending your
knees.
Make certain that your fingers and toes
are clear before setting the load
down.
Employer
Solutions
Employers have the
primary responsibility for protecting
the safety and health of their workers.
Employees are responsible for following
the safe work practices of their
employers.
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