The wall and ceiling industries are concerned about the safe on-site delivery and storage of plasterboard. Experience has shown that improperly handled and stored plasterboard can represent a safety risk. Whether you’re a professional plasterer, builder, or trade worker, you’ll know that the only thing more important than the quality of the final product is the safety of your workers. Improperly stacked or transported plasterboard can fall, causing serious injury. At Intex, we’re not just experts in the supply of plastering tools and materials, we also understand plastering processes back to front.

Conducting a Site Safety Check

It is recommended that a site safety check is conducted before delivery of plasterboard is made, especially in cases where there are complex or changing site conditions. Once a pre-delivery site safety check has been carried out to identify the service requirements, hazard identification and risk assessment should be conducted to establish the safest method of delivery.

Repeated or awkward handling of heavy items causes the greatest risk. The construction industry has the highest rate of musculoskeletal problems, such as back pain or shoulder pain, and these are the commonest reasons for people in construction to be off work or have to give up work early.

Steel frames do not have the same structural rigidity as timber until after the plasterboard has been fixed to it. Greater care should be taken when assessing the load-carrying capacity of the structure against which the plasterboard will be placed.

GBMA (Gypsum Board Manufacturers of Australasia)

The GBMA offers a six-point hierarchy of controls for managing risks. The first option, wherever possible, is to remove potential hazards completely. Where this is not possible, the hazard should be substituted with a safer alternative. The next four options in descending order of preference are: isolate the hazard away from workers; use engineering controls like specially adapted equipment; use administrative controls; or finally, use personal protective equipment.

The Risks of Improperly Stacked Plasterboard

One of the more common causes of workplace injuries on plastering job sites is falls resulting from improperly stacked plasterboard, especially when it is stacked on edge, rather than horizontally. Injuries can also occur when workers attempt to move large volumes of plasterboard, putting excessive strain on the arms, back and knees.

In cases where plasterboard must be stacked vertically, special measures should be taken to reduce the risk of falls. Workers should use a reliable, secure restraint mechanism that can be easily removed and reapplied.

Horizontal Movement of Plasterboard

A clear and safe route for the internal movement of the plasterboard should be planned and communicated. Trollies should be appropriate to the conditions and weight of the plasterboard being moved. The movement of the plasterboard should be coordinated with other trades on the floor to ensure that it can be moved safely using mechanical aids.

Equipment for Safe Transport and Stacking of Plasterboard

For safe and easy transportation of plasterboard on-site, Intex offers a number of high-quality drywall carts and accessories. The Intex Aluminium plasterboard cart is designed to offer the user easy maneuverability around the job site, effortlessly moving through narrow doorways and around tight corners. These carts also convert into a flatbed in just seconds and can be easily taken apart to be stored or carried to the next job site.

People need to know how to look after their own musculoskeletal health, but others must not expose them to avoidable risks. In this way, people can work in the industry until they wish to leave it with good health, and not have to leave the industry because of musculoskeletal problems.

Ask Us About Our Range of Site Equipment

Intex offers a premium range of carts, accessories, and other site equipment designed to make your job safer, easier, and faster. To talk to someone at Intex about your next project, contact us by phone or via our online chat today.

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Safely Moving Plasterboard Onsite