How the Right Type of Heavy Duty Caster Wheels Can Prevent Employee Injuries

How the Right Type of Heavy Duty Caster Wheels Can
Prevent Employee Injuries
No matter which industry you’re in, if you have a load to move, there’s always a risk of someone being injured.
Fortunately, you can reduce that risk in many ways. You might require your employees to wear steel-toe boots, and you
might teach safety and awareness for this very reason. However, choosing the right casters for your industry, workplace,
and load type is just as important to injury prevention. Here’s why.
Strain is a Big Problem
The most commonly reported workplace injuries involve overexertion. Sometimes, this may refer to an employee who’s
tried to lift a heavy object improperly. When it comes to choosing the right casters, it’s important to think about
overexertion, too. Remember that a very heavy load is subject to the laws of physics, and when that load is still, it takes
a great deal of force to start it moving. When you choose the right type of heavy duty caster wheels for the size of your
load, and when you consider the type of environment and quality of the floor surface at the same time, you can reduce
this friction and help prevent injuries.
Size Matters
Another important consideration is the actual size of the caster wheel. You can choose casters based on their weight
ratings, but remember that the larger the diameter of the wheel, the easier that wheel will roll. Of course, the larger the
wheel, the higher the load raises from the floor, so it’s important to strike a good balance. That’s why you have so many
options available to you; you can choose large wheels when height isn’t an issue, and you can choose dual-wheel heavy
duty casters when you want your load – and that load’s center of gravity – to remain closer to the floor.
Shock Absorption
Some caster wheels were made to absorb shock, such as when they roll over an imperfection in the floor surface, such
as a crack, a stray piece of debris, or even an extension cord. When someone tries to move a heavy cart and it runs into

such an imperfection, the sudden jarring of the load can cause injury. Choosing a wheel designed to absorb this shock is
vital in this case. Options include pneumatic and/or spring-loaded caster wheels designed to keep moving, even when
there’s an obstacle in the way.
Wheel Condition and Longevity
Finally, it’s important to think about the conditions in which your loads will be moved. Is the temperature extremely hot
or cold? Will the casters encounter standing water, or perhaps even chemicals? Remember that not all caster wheels are
designed to prevent corrosion, rust, or even becoming brittle due to changing conditions in the workplace. You need to
consider all these factors before choosing a caster for use in your unique work environment. Failing to do so could result
in an unexpected caster failure, which can cause significant injuries.
Choosing the right heavy-duty caster wheels is about much more than just choosing the right weight rating. There are
other factors to consider, including whether the caster will absorb shocks, withstand extreme or fluctuating
temperatures, or even resist corrosion or rust over time.