How a Gorilla Helps Reduce Job-task Injury Risks
Spring means heading back into the great outdoors — for agency employees as well as patrons. Whether it’s planting, painting, lawn care, maintenance or preparing athletic fields and facilities, employees will be busy prepping for warm weather fun.
Keeping them safe while they get things ready is always important, and Winfield Park District found a way to reduce the risk of injuries associated with trailer operations — with a little help from a Gorilla.
 “I attended PDRMA’s Safe Operation and Towing of a Trailer course with a colleague,” explains Thomas Banks, Jr., Maintenance Foreman, Winfield Park District. “Tim Jaskiewicz (PDRMA Risk Management Consultant) reminded us about PDRMA’s subsidy for selected safety products, such as a trailer ramp lift-assist product. I did some research and found the Gorilla Lift Gate System. We purchased one through Amazon for our trailer equipped with a ramp. It had great reviews and was the perfect addition to improve job-task safety.”
The system makes it easy to raise and lower a utility or ATV trailer's tailgate — among other benefits — and it fits most open utility trailers with 12-to-24-inch side rails and 4-to-6-foot tailgates.
“The installation took about an hour,” Banks adds, “with no need for special training — just basic tool knowledge (drill, ratchet/wrenches, tape measure). It’s very well-built and will work for all trailer-related seasonal duties. By adding this lift-gate system, we can prevent injuries from lifting and eliminate the possibility of dropping the ramp on something — or someone. It also saves time by holding the weight of the ramp to lock and unlock the gate.”
Banks also purchased the Trailer Tailgate Handle, which installed easily with the system. “The lift gate system, along with the handle, creates a solid product to prevent back injuries. It’s definitely worth the money.”
Be Safe Solutions
In addition to the subsidy available for lift-gates, PDRMA also offers subsidies for other products to help reduce or eliminate job-task injury risks. As you head into spring preparations inside and out, be sure to consider these solutions.
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