WorkSafe has issued a Safety Alert following many reports about incidents involving the handling of electrical switchboards.
Switchboards can be very large and heavy, with a high centre of gravity. This can present both hazardous manual handling risks and the risk of the object falling.
In one reported incident a 600kg switchboard was sat on laminated veneer timber planks. Whilst leveraging the switchboard off the planks two workers narrowly avoided being struck as the switchboard became unstable and tipped over.
In another incident a switchboard was being moved with a forklift. The switchboard was attached to a skid pallet and balanced on top of the forklift tines. Whilst travelling down an incline the switchboard’s high centre of gravity caused it to tip over.
Poor techniques used to move switchboards include rolling the item on a series of thin metal rods, ‘crab walking’ the item to its location, or using multiple people to manual move the item instead of using mechanical aids.
To reduce the risk of manual handling and/or crush-related injuries when handling switchboards, employers should –
- identify and mark the weight and centre of gravity
- deliver the switchboard as close as possible to its final location
- assess and review the planned travel path and ensure it is clear and navigable
- utilise mechanical aids such as hydraulic switchboard trolleys or forklifts
- ensure that all equipment is suitable for the size and weight of the task.
It is recommended that a risk assessment is completed and reviewed by all workers on the task – you can find an example of a risk assessment in WorkSafe’s publication Compliance code: Hazardous Manual Handling.
Read more: Near-miss as 600 kg switchboard falls | WorkSafe Victoria