In the workshop, everyone will have taken a lot of care to protect the cabinets, doors, bench tops and other fixtures while they were being made.

So the last thing you want to do is damage any of the items while they're being taken to the site.

Some materials are more fragile than others, and so need to be treated with more care when they're being transported in the truck.

But whatever the products are, the client will expect everything in the finished project to look brand new and spotless, regardless of any issues you might have had to deal with along the way.

Here's some hints on avoiding bumps and scuffs to the units while they are being moved from the workshop to the site:

• Don't drag or push large units - get help if you can't lift an item on your own, or if you have trouble holding it steady on a trolley.
  
  
• Remove adjustable shelves and wrap them up in a protective covering, such as a blanket, cardboard or bubble wrap. Do the same with kickboards.
  
  
• Put cushioning between items that might rub against each other or against the side of the truck.
  
  
• Keep protective coverings clean and free from dirt or grit, to avoid the problem of embedded particles scratching the finished surfaces of units.
  
  
• Try to fill up empty spaces in the truck when you're packing items in place.
  
  
• Secure all cabinets in the truck with straps so they can't move around while in transit. If you use ropes, be sure to protect the corners of cabinets with cardboard, wood or metal corners to stop the ropes from 'biting' into the edges.
  
  
• Check the straps during the trip to make sure they haven't loosened up.

Good manual handling practices

'Manual handling' means physically moving things around by hand. There's lots of manual handling involved in taking cabinets to the jobsite and putting them into position, ready for fixing. One of the most vulnerable parts of your body to a manual handling injury is your back. Fortunately, these injuries can easily be avoided simply by using good practices.

Here are the main steps you should follow when you need to lift and carry a large, heavy or awkward object.

1. Size up the load and decide whether you'll need help to lift or move it.

2. Check the path you will be taking to make sure there are no obstacles in the way.

3. Place your feet firmly on the ground and put your body in a balanced position.

4. Bend your knees to get down to the load, and keep your back as straight as possible.

5. Use your legs to do the lifting as you stand up straight.

6. Keep the load close to your body while you're carrying it.

To put the object down again, use the same procedure as for picking it up - keep your body well balanced and use your legs, not your back.

Also remember that while your joints and muscles are under strain, you should avoid twisting your back.

If you need to change direction while you're picking up, carrying or putting down a load, swivel on your feet so that your whole body moves in the same direction.

For more details on good manual handling practices and ways to avoid back strain, go to the unit Working safely.