If you spend any time in a warehouse or on a construction site, you will hear people use the terms "Material Handling Equipment" and "Mobile Handling Equipment" as if they are the same thing. They aren't.
While it might seem like a small point of vocabulary, getting the two mixed up can create a massive gap in your safety inspections. Understanding the difference is the first step to a safer site.
Using the wrong term could mean your team is overlooking critical assets during their daily checks.
This is the professional, all-encompassing term used by the HSE. It covers every single tool, machine, or structure used to move, store, and protect your goods. This includes "static" items like pallet racking and conveyors, as well as the machines that move between them.
This is a much narrower term. It only refers to equipment that moves under its own power or is towed. If you only focus on "Mobile" equipment, you are ignoring the racks that hold your stock and the ladders your team climbs every day.
At SG World, we suggest a two-tier approach to make sure nothing is missed. You start with a broad safety net and then layer in specific, high-level inspections for your complex machinery.
Our General MHE Checklist is your first line of defence. It is a universal document for smaller equipment or general warehouse tools that might not have a dedicated manual. It ensures that basic safety—structural integrity, clear labels, and basic function—is checked every single shift. It stops the "small stuff" like manual trolleys or packing stations from falling through the cracks.
Once the basics are covered, you move to our specialised checklists. These are deep-dives into the specific mechanical risks of high-stakes machinery. Our Forklift Truck Checklist is our most popular product in this category because it covers the technical details that a general check simply can't.
| Equipment Group | Specific SG World Checklist Pads |
|---|---|
| Powered Lift Trucks | Forklift Truck (Counterbalance & Reach), VNA. |
| Pedestrian Equipment | LLOP (Low Level Order Picker), Powered Pallet Truck. |
| Static Storage | Pallet Racking (essential for SEMA compliance). |
| Access & Height | Ladders, Steps, Scaffolding Towers, MEWP. |
| Heavy Plant | Telehandler, 360 Excavator, Dumper Trucks. |
We don't just provide a piece of paper; we provide a visual management system that anyone on the floor can understand at a glance.
By using a General MHE check alongside our specific pads, you create a "No-Gap" safety policy. You catch the everyday wear-and-tear while ensuring your high-risk assets are inspected to the exact standards required by the HSE and your insurers.