Easycrate Safe Lifting Tips

Injury through improper lifting of heavy objects is very common and leaves people in serious and long lasting pain -but it is avoidable. Do not fall victim to common back injury by taking note of these simple tips when lifting your crates:

 

1) Think before you lift 
Plan the lift. Where is the load going to be placed? Use appropriate handling aids where possible. Will help be needed with the load? Remove obstructions. For long lifts, such as from floor to shoulder height, consider resting the load mid-way to change your grip.

2) Keep the load close to the waist
Keep the load close to the waist for as long as possible while lifting. The distance of the load from the spine at waist height is an important factor in the overall load on the spine and back muscles. Keep the heaviest side of the load next to the body.

3) Adopt a stable position
Your feet should be apart with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance (alongside the load if it's on the ground). Be prepared to move your feet during the lift in order to maintain a stable posture. Avoid wearing over-tight clothing or unsuitable footwear, such as heels or flip flops.

4) Ensure a good hold on the load
Where possible, hug the load close to the body. This may be a better option than gripping it tightly with the hands only.

5) Don't bend your back
A slight bending of the back, hips and knees at the start of the lift is preferable to either fully flexing the back (stooping) or fully flexing the hips and knees – in other words, fully squatting.

6) Don’t flex the back any further while lifting 
This can happen if the legs begin to straighten before starting to raise the load.

7) Don't twist
Avoid twisting the back or leaning sideways especially while the back is bent. Keep your shoulders level and facing the same direction as the hips. Turning by moving your feet is better than twisting and lifting at the same time.

8) Keep your head up 
Keep your head up when handling the load. Look ahead, not down at the load once it has been held securely.

9) Move smoothly 
Don't jerk or snatch the load as this can make it harder to keep control and can increase the risk of injury.

10) Know your limits 
Don't lift or handle more than you can easily manage. There's a difference between what people can lift and what they can safely lift. If you're in doubt, seek advice or get help.

11) Lower down, and then adjust 
Put the load down and then adjust. If you need to position the load precisely, put it down first, and then slide it into the desired position.

So when packing and moving your crates, remember these handy tips to ensure you stay safe and healthy. Visit our website to view our range of useful crates or for more information about hiring our crates please get in contact. 

Crazy Crates!

We pride ourselves here at Easycrate on providing durable, reusable and eco friendly plastic crates that are suitable for a myriad of uses. 

Some of our clients in China hired our crates out and used them as wine coolers for an event... this made us think what else you could use our plastic crates for!?

So just for fun we've come up with a few ideas; crate furniture, crate lighting, crate art! Maybe even as make shift toys such a go karts!

Can you think of any other wacky uses for our plastic crates?

To find out more about our plastic crates please view our website or get in contact today. 

Take back control - Storage solutions for the masses

Hong Kong property prices are at an all time high and in this crowded environment where square footage is one of the most expensive in the world it becomes vital to make the most of the space you have – in Hong Kong more than half of private dwellings now measure less than a meagre 538 square feet! But don’t worry; this is where Easy Crate can help providing storage solutions for the masses.

 

Our computer Lidded Crates are ideal to store away any unused computers that are just taking up precious space. Being more durable than simple cardboard boxes, you can rest assured that your computer will be safe and sound till such a time when you have the space to bring it back to life.

Or why not utilise our large metre lidded crate, perfect for moving and storing a wide range of office and home equipment – the possibilities are endless.

To find out more about our excellent crates, boxes and packaging solutions please click here.

Put The Green Foot Forward

There is a common misconception that plastic crates are worse for the environment than cardboard, even though they are much more reusable and also recyclable. Plastic crates are stronger and consequently more efficient than cardboard and outlast their flimsy counterparts by at least 50 times. They can withstand harsh weather and constant handling. This means that they can be re-used over and over again, which not only causes less landfill and less deforestation, but also reduces disposal costs for you or your company.  Furthermore plastic can be recycled for a much wider range of uses in comparison to cardboard, from medicine to food to industrial purposes.

There are some negative plastics such as PVC which can be detrimental to your health and the environment. However our plastic crates are made out of the best PVC alternative, polypropylene. Our PP plastic crates are classified under Returnable Transit Packaging Solutions. This means that by hiring plastic crates businesses can take advantage of significant cost savings whilst simultaneously adhering to legislative requirements such as the Packaging Waste Directive.

Here at EasyCrate, we are dedicated to the environment and reducing our carbon footprint, so contact us today and join us on our green journey, using our planet-friendly plastic crates.

Suitable Storage for Christmas Decorations

OK so it might not actually be twelfth night yet which is traditionally the time to take down the Christmas decorations but as most people put their Christmas trees and other decorations up very early these days, most are gone by New Year’s day. So where are you planning on storing your Christmas decorations until next year? In a slightly ripped cardboard box in the attic where they will gather dust? In a bin bag shoved into the corner of the garage? Well might we recommend something a little safer and more protective…put your Christmas decorations into a reusable plastic crate which are available to either rent or buy from us here at Easycrate.

We offer a range of different plastic crates so you’re sure to find one that’s the right size for all your ornaments, baubles and other bits and pieces. We can even provide packing materials such as bubble wrap too should you need it and not to mention labels which will help you keep everything organised to make your life easier next Christmas.

To book your crate hire, you can use our online ordering system. Alternatively contact us for a quote.