Safe material transport with stair climbers

Electrically-powered stair climbers simplify transporting heavy and bulky goods via stairs. They can reduce the burden on employees and the risk of accidents. But only if the equipment is properly handled.

By Philipp John

Lift building often requires transporting heavy components, like drives, switch cabinets or hydraulic units, to other floors in a building. If no aids, such as cranes or stacker trucks are available, only transport via the stairs is possible. Manually lifting components not only involves an enhanced risk of the accidents but is also a burden on the employees' musculoskeletal system and often requires another person.

Numerous systems that facilitate transport via the stairs and in this way assist employees have existed for some years, such as stair climbers, stair lifts or stairway trucks. Unlike manually-operated stairway trucks or stationary stair lifts, stair climbers are mobile, power-operated working tools.

Hazard assessment before first use

Wheeled-stair climbers are easy to use in a flexible manner and differ from each other above all in their climbing function. They are continuously guided by the operator during use on the stairs. Stair climbers with a caterpillar drive are particularly suitable for heavy loads. Normally, the latter automatically adjust the incline angle of the load to keep the centre of gravity always behind the point of toppling.

Operation on the stairs takes place from a safe position above the load. Consequently, selecting the device in advance according to the load to be transported and the transport task is especially important. For example, not all stair climbers are suitable for open stairs or site stairways.

The selection should be made according to the following criteria:
• width and load-bearing capacity of the stairs
• type of stairway (landing, curve, nature of the steps)
• step height
• weight, location of the centre of gravity and dimensions of the load.

Before a stair climber is used for the first time, the employer must carry out a hazard assessment on its safe use. In addition, employees must be instructed on safe usage, based on the operating instructions. The handbook can be referred to as the basis for the operating instructions. The instruction obligation applies to the lender in the case of rented equipment. Before work begins, the employees must check the equipment for obvious defects.

Use of a stair climber

Transporting goods via stairs is always associated with risks. The transport route and hazard area below the load must be free of people and obstacles. Before using the stair climber, the load must be secured to the struts, e.g. by straps. Stability can in addition be increased by anti-slip mats. The work should be carried out by suitable employees wearing safety shoes and the speed set according to the transport task.

Particularly in new construction sites, stairs or floors have often not yet been completed, which can result in different step heights, increasing the risk that the stair climber along with its load tips over. The drive has to be manually adjusted to the stair gradient in some caterpillar drives. During this phase, the operator must stabilise the load. Therefore, safe and proper use of the stair climber should be practiced before the work is done.

After the work has been completed, the equipment must be protected against unauthorized use, e.g. by removing the key or the battery.

Check operational safety regularly

Stair climbers are work equipment and have to be checked according to the Operational Safety Ordinance by an authorized inspector. The scope and time intervals of the inspections can be found in the operating instructions. If these contain no information on this, the employer determines the deadlines and inspection criteria itself in its hazard assessment.

The author is a specialist for lifts and technical building equipment at the Berufsgenossenschaft Holz und Metall (BGMH).

More information: bghm.de

Conveyance equipment: Some accident insurers provide grants for the procurement of a stair climber. The liability insurance association responsible can provide the conditions and conveyance heights.