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How Manual Lifting Hurts Your Business and 7 Ways Lifting Equipment Can Reduce It

Date Posted:19 November 2025 

Manual lifting is costing your business thousands in injuries, claims, and downtime. Discover the hidden financial risks of unsafe manual handling and 7 ways reliable lifting equipment can protect your staff, company and reputation.

Verdex Insights: At a Glance

• The Challenge: Manual lifting is a leading cause of expensive workplace incidents, leading to serious musculoskeletal injuries, high workers’ compensation and insurance costs, lost productivity, and the risk of WHS non-compliance across Australian businesses.

• The Insight: These problems are preventable. By investing in the right lifting equipment, businesses can significantly reduce physical strain and injury risk, protect valuable goods, and enhance operational efficiency by allowing fewer staff members to complete heavy tasks safely.

• The Verdex Solution: Verdex supplies durable, Australian Standards Compliant lifting equipment, including pallet jacks, manual stackers and lifters, scissor lift trolleys and tables, and many more. Choosing Verdex ensures your business achieves higher safety standards, lowers long-term operational costs, and maintains WHS compliance with premium-quality, reliably delivered solutions.

How Manual Lifting Hurts Your Business

Manual lifting is a daily routine in many workplaces, from warehouses and logistics hubs to workshops, construction sites, and retail backrooms. What many businesses underestimate is how much this seemingly simple task can cost in injuries, downtime, and lost productivity.

Manual handling injuries remain one of the leading causes of workplace incidents across Australia. Despite increased awareness, workers continue to lift, push, or carry loads that exceed safe limits, leading to serious musculoskeletal injuries, time off work, and higher compensation costs.

The good news is that these problems are entirely preventable. By investing in the right lifting equipment, businesses can significantly reduce injury risks, improve efficiency, and save thousands in operational costs every year.

Let’s look at how manual lifting affects your business and how the right lifting equipment can make a lasting difference.

The Hidden Cost of Manual Lifting

Lost Time and Productivity

When workers suffer back injuries, strains, or fatigue, productivity takes a major hit. Manual handling injuries often require long recovery periods, and even after returning to work, employees may not perform at full capacity.

This downtime affects the entire workflow, delays order fulfilment, and disrupts customer delivery schedules.

Higher Compensation and Insurance Costs

According to Safe Work Australia, manual handling injuries are among the most expensive workplace claims. The costs include workers’ compensation, medical treatment, and the added expense of hiring and training replacements.

Unsafe lifting practices can also push insurance premiums higher, creating a lasting financial strain for businesses.

Risk of Damaged Goods

Manual lifting not only puts employees at risk but can also damage products. Dropping or mishandling heavy or awkward loads may result in broken stock, wasted materials, and unhappy customers.

By reducing the need for manual handling, you safeguard both workers and goods.

WHS Non-Compliance

Under Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws, employers must provide a safe working environment. Failing to manage manual handling risks can lead to compliance breaches, penalties, and reputational damage.

Providing the right lifting aids is not just good practice; it’s an essential step in meeting WHS obligations.

7 Ways Lifting Equipment Can Reduce Manual Handling Risks

The right lifting equipment does more than just reduce injuries. It can improve how your entire operation functions. Here are seven key ways it helps.

1. Reduces Strains and Sprains

Lifting aids such as pallet jacks, hydraulic lifters, and scissor lift tables reduce the physical strain of handling heavy loads. Workers no longer need to bend, twist, or overreach, which are major causes of back and shoulder injuries.

2. Increases Efficiency

With lifting equipment, tasks that once required two or three people can be completed safely by one. This increases overall productivity and allows staff to focus on higher-value work.

3. Prevents Fatigue

Repetitive lifting and carrying can quickly lead to fatigue. Equipment like electric lifters and pallet stackers take on the heavy lifting, helping workers maintain energy and accuracy throughout the day.

4. Protects Your Products

Mechanical lifting solutions move products smoothly and securely. Whether you’re handling fragile goods, bulky materials, or uneven loads, the right tools reduce drops, scratches, and breakages.

5. Improves Workplace Morale

When employees work in a safer and more supportive environment, morale improves. Reducing the physical burden of manual tasks helps retain skilled workers, lowers absenteeism, and boosts overall job satisfaction.

6. Enhances Safety Compliance

Using the right lifting equipment demonstrates your commitment to WHS compliance. It provides clear evidence of risk control during inspections and helps protect your business from potential fines or legal issues.

7. Saves Money in the Long Run

Although some businesses see lifting equipment as an expense, it’s actually a smart investment. Fewer injuries mean less downtime, fewer compensation claims, and lower staff turnover, leading to significant savings over time.

Common Types of Lifting Equipment

Choosing the right tool depends on your workplace needs. Some of the most common lifting solutions include:

• Pallet Jacks – Ideal for moving palletised goods quickly and safely across warehouses.

• Hydraulic Lift Tables – Great for adjusting working heights and reducing bending strain.

• Electric Pallet Stackers – Allow effortless stacking and lifting of heavy pallets.

• Drum Lifters and Trolleys – Designed for handling cylindrical loads like barrels and gas cylinders.

• Hoists and Winches – Perfect for vertical lifting of heavy machinery or components.

Each piece of equipment helps make handling safer, faster, and more efficient across different industries.

Why Investing in Lifting Equipment Matters

Unsafe manual handling costs Australian businesses millions of dollars every year in compensation, lost productivity, and compliance issues. Yet, most of these costs can be avoided.

By introducing lifting aids, you reduce the physical strain on workers and show a strong commitment to safety and compliance.

The benefits are clear:

• Fewer injuries and compensation claims.

• Improved staff morale and retention.

• Increased productivity and efficiency.

• Lower insurance costs and WHS risks.

A modest investment in the right lifting solution today can save your business from significant financial and operational losses tomorrow.

Why Choose Verdex for Lifting Equipment

Verdex is a trusted Australian-owned supplier of workplace safety and handling equipment, helping businesses improve safety, compliance, and productivity. Here’s why Verdex is the go-to choice for lifting solutions:

• Australian Standards Compliant – Every product meets or exceeds national safety standards.

• Premium Quality Equipment – Built for durability, reliability, and long-term performance.

• Comprehensive Range – From pallet jacks and lifters to hydraulic tables and trolleys.

• Fast Nationwide Delivery – Quick, reliable delivery across Australia.

• Price Beat Guarantee – Outstanding value without compromising quality.

• 100% Australian-Owned – Supporting local industries with dependable workplace solutions.

When you buy from Verdex, you’re investing in safety, performance, and peace of mind.

Buy Your Lifting Equipment Today

Manual handling does not have to be a source of injury or inefficiency. With the right lifting equipment, your workplace can achieve higher safety standards, greater productivity, and lower operating costs.

Explore Verdex’s complete range of lifting and handling solutions online or contact our friendly team for expert advice. Verdex offers premium quality, fast delivery, and unbeatable value every time.

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