[CAUT] Piano Techs as Piano Movers?

[Fred Sturm]

I agree with Jon, that it needn't be a big deal for techs who are  
experienced. And if you have several, that would make it more  
feasible (three is a good idea, unless you have a real expert  
involved). There isn't a need to leave each grand on a dollie for  
storage. Instead, place blocks the height of the dollie (and a wee  
bit more) and remove the dollie. Not hard to do with three people  
involved.
	But I agree with the cautionary remarks as well, both Jon's and  
others. It doesn't take much of an overstrain to cause a fairly  
serious injury, especially among the older among us (say 50 plus),  
and that seems to be a large majority of piano techs in this day and  
age. An alternative might be to have one or two techs designated as  
supervisory, get some young, robust guys from somewhere in physical  
plant, buy some equipment.
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico
fssturm at unm.edu



On Jun 2, 2006, at 10:54 AM, Jon Page wrote:

> Brian,
> Some techs move pianos, I do. Did you ask your techs if they want  
> to move pianos?
>
> But more importantly, does the school want to take on the liability  
> if a piano
> is damaged (falls over) in the move of someone hurts their back?
> Check with your insurance carrier for the limits of your liability.
> Does Workman's Comp. send shivers up your spine? Not only
> would someone be collecting but you'd be out a technician.
>
> Having said that, moving is no big deal for experienced persons.
> You will need a dolly for each piano, to be left on their sides, to
> avoid having to dead lift them onto a dolly from the floor.
>
> Without a dolly for each, a grand board for each would be needed
> or a moving pad for each to rest upon. But there's still the  
> lifting onto a dolly.
>
> Dollies are cost effective I get them from New Haven Moving at  
> about $60 each.
> I must have 20 of 'em.
> -- 
>
> Regards,
>
> Jon Page