Materials Handling

Materials handling

Handling and storing materials involve diverse operations like hoisting tons of steel with a crane; driving a truck loaded with roofing sheets; carrying bags or materials manually; and stacking palletized fibre bags or other materials.

The efficient handling and storing of materials are vital to industry. These operations provide a continuous flow of parts and assemblies through the workplace and ensure that materials are available when needed. Unfortunately, the improper handling and storing of materials often result in costly injuries.

It is every one’s responsibility to examine the workplace to detect any unsafe condition, unsafe practice, unsafe equipment and take corrective action. The employer must work out appropriate solution and implement them without any delay. The employee must report it to the concerned superior and follow up till an appropriate solution is implemented.

Potential injuries which can occur while handling materials manually.

·         Strains and sprains from lifting loads improperly or from carrying loads that are either too large or too heavy,

·          Fractures and bruises caused by being struck by materials or by being caught in pinch points, and

·         Cuts and bruises caused by falling materials that have been improperly stored or by incorrectly cutting ties or other securing devices.  

Precautions for manual handling.

When moving materials manually, workers should attach handles or holders to loads. In addition, workers should always wear appropriate personal protective equipment and use proper lifting techniques. To prevent injury from oversize loads, workers should seek help in the following:

·         When a load is so bulky that employees cannot properly grasp or lift it,

·         When employees cannot see around or over a load, or

·         When employees cannot safely handle a load.

Using the following personal protective equipment prevents needless injuries when manually moving materials:

·         Hand and forearm protection, such as gloves, for loads with sharp or rough edges.

·         Eye protection.

·         Steel-toed safety shoes or boots.

Precautions for stacking materials.

Falling materials and collapsing loads can lead to fatal accidents.

·         Stack no more than 10 feet height if manual handling is employed.

·         Ensure that the stacks are stable and self-supporting.

·         Do not store pipes and bars in racks that face main aisles to avoid creating a hazard when removing them.

·         Stack bags in interlocking rows to keep them secure. Refer the figure below.

                                                                               

Precautions for hand pallet trucks.

·         Don’t use them on sloping steel surfaces.

·         Don’t use them on uneven or soft surfaces.

·         Ensure that all the wheels are always in contact with the working surface.

Precautions for forklift trucks.

·         Only trained and certified operators must operate forklift trucks.

·         Before starting the operation check the truck thoroughly and ensure all the warning systems work properly.

·         When not in use, leave the truck with forks fully lowered and rest on ground; switch off the engine, apply hand brake, and remove the key.

·         Drive the truck only in authorized areas avoiding pedestrians and other vehicles.

·         Avoid sharp bends and overhear obstructions as far as possible.

·         Do not operate the truck on excessive gradients.

·         Do not overload the truck.

·         Correctly place the loads and secure them.

·         Always keep the forks in lowered position with the mast tilted slightly backward.

·         Avoid transporting non-standard, unpacked, and excessively wide loads.

·         Do not use any home-made attachments for the truck.

·         Do not carry any passenger on the truck.

·         Don’t allow pedestrians to walk underneath the load.

·         Avoid rapid acceleration, hard braking, and sharp cornering.

·         Do not place extra weight on the rear of the forklift to compensate overload.

Precautions for cranes.

·         Do not leave cranes unattended with suspending loads.

·         Do not use cranes for any purposes other than for lifting in a vertical plane.

·         Avoid load swing and snatch loading.

·         Ensure that the wire ropes are in good condition without any broken strands and apply proper lubrication to them.

·         Ensure that the hook lock (safety latch) is in good working condition.

·         Always lift the load few inches, wait and check the brake quality and then proceed to lift.

Note. The precautions recommended above are not exhaustive and are general in nature. Additional precautions and right procedures should be worked out and applied for different establishments.