Archive Article: 2000/10/13
Lifting a bale of shavings
Bales of shavings are an awkward size and shape and the plastic wrap creates a slippery surface. With very little to grasp on the bale, it is advisable to wet the hands to improve the grip. Carrying a bale of shavings on the shoulder is not advisable. Lifting a bale of shavings from the floor with a bent back and the legs close together penguin-style is a high-risk manoeuvre.
The safest way to handle a bale of shavings is to bend the legs, keep the back straight and lower the body to enable one end of the bale to be lifted off the floor. The bale can then be rolled up onto its corner and, achieving the best grip, it should be held close to the body, which is then returned to the vertical position, keeping the back straight during the manoeuvre.