Handling Object Types (5 of 8)
How do I handle furniture?
Handling furniture poses a number of challenges owing to its size, construction and weight distribution. For all types of furniture, you should make an assessment to identify its strongest and weakest points, and try to lift the object at the strongest points. Joints in furniture often fail due to old and brittle glues.
General Guidelines
- Establish whether there are any removable parts; if so, remove these and handle them separately.
- Establish whether there are any moveable parts; if so, secure these with padding and ties.
- Never slide or drag furniture; this can damage the underside of the object, such as feet and legs, and can loosen joints.
- Lift the object from its lowest convenient part.
- Always bend your knees and lift with your legs, not your back.
- Use trolleys or specialised lifting equipment where possible, especially with heavier objects.
