New standard set

While the lightweight and corrosion-free properties of composites go a long way towards decreasing manual handling injuries, Fibrelite wanted to eliminate them altogether. They identified stooping as an additional cause of injury. To solve this, they created an ergonomically designed lifting handle, allowing users to safely remove and replace the covers keeping the load close to the waist, avoiding stooping or bending their backs. This allows users to adhere to the advised lifting technique from both the HSE and NHS.

Over the last two years, 4.5 million working days were lost to workplace injuries. A fifth of these were caused by manual handling. 

Composites effectively shed weight while retaining mechanical properties. This means that a composite cover with the same load rating as a concrete or metal cover will weigh far less. 

In 2016 Fibrelite extended its range to 90 tonne (F900) load ratings for airports and ports.  

David Holmes, technical director, Fibrelite explains: “One or two people can move any Fibrelite cover quickly and easily without risk of back injury or crushed fingers, at any load rating.”