MATERIALS HANDLING

MATERIALS HANDLING TOOL BOX SESSION Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Introduction This training information has been prepared by the Safety and Health Consultation Program at Georgia Tech with the technical collaboration of Mr. Juán C. Rodriguez and under the sponsorship of OSHA. Its content may be copied and distributed for free, and the only request made to the user is that Georgia Tech’s Safety and Health Consultation Program be acknowledged as the source. All information contained in this training is believed to be correct by the authors, but it is important to point out that, this is not an official OSHA publication and has not been revised or approved by OSHA. The user should be aware that the recommendations provided in this training do not replace any OSHA standard or regulation. Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program Georgia Tech Research Institute 260 14th Street, Fourth Floor Atlanta, GA 30332-0837 Voice : (404) 407-7431 FAX : (404) 407-8275 Web http://www.oshainfo.gatech.edu Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR STORAGE • All materials must be stored in a secure and safe manner that prevents sliding, falling or collapse, and that takes into account the maximum safe load limits of floors • Aisles and passageways must be kept clear and in good repair to provide for the free and safe movement of workers and the operation of material handling equipment Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR STORAGE • Non-compatible materials must be segregated in storage • Materials stored inside buildings under construction shall not be placed within 6 feet of any hoist way or inside floor openings • Materials should not be stored within 10 feet of an exterior wall that is being built, which does not extend above the top of the material stored Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

MATERIALS STORAGE • Used lumber must have all nails withdrawn before stacking • Lumber must be stacked on level support pads so that it remains in a stable position • Lumber piles handled by forklift must not exceed 20 feet in height • Lumber piles handled manually must not exceed 16 feet in height Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

MATERIALS STORAGE cont. • Any cylindrical material (poles, pipes, structural steel) must be stacked and blocked to prevent them from rolling • Materials must not be stored on scaffolds or runways in excess of supplies needed for immediate operations • Brick stacks shall not be more than 7 feet in height. When a loose brick stack reaches a height of 4 feet, it shall be tapered back 2 inches in every foot of height above the 4-foot level Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

HOUSEKEEPING AND DISPOSAL OF WASTE MATERIALS • Storage areas shall be kept free from accumulation of materials that constitute hazards such as: • explosions, • fire, • tripping and falling of workers, • And the harboring of pests Vegetation control measures should be exercised when necessary Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

INSPECTION OF RIGGING EQUIPMENT FOR MATERIAL HANDLING • Rigging must be inspected prior to use on each shift and defective equipment must be removed from service • Rigging must not be loaded in excess of its recommended safe working load and welded alloy steel chains must have a permanent identification tag stating the size, grade, rated capacity, and sling manufacturer • Any other additional attachment (hooks, rings, oblong links, etc.) must have a rated capacity at least equal to that of the chain Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

INSPECTION OF RIGGING EQUIPMENT cont. • Wire Rope: • Must consist of one continuous piece except for eye splices in the ends of wires • Shall not be used if, in any length of 8 diameters, the total number of visible broken wires exceeds 10% of the total number of wires, or if the rope shows other signs of excessive wear, corrosion, or defect • Shall not be kinked or permanently bent • Shall be protected from the sharp edges of its load • Shock loading is prohibited Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

INSPECTION OF RIGGING EQUIPMENT cont. • Synthetic webbing slings (nylon): • Shall be marked or coded to show: name or trademark of manufacturer, rated capacity for the type of hitch, type of material • The manufacturer’s safe working load shall never be exceeded and the sling must not contact sharp edges that could damage the webbing • If a red warning thread is visible the sling must be removed from service Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

DISPOSAL OF WASTE MATERIALS • All waste material shall be removed from the immediate work area as the work progresses and placed into waste containers • When materials are dropped more than 20 feet to any point lying outside the exterior walls of the building, an enclosed chute shall be used • When debris is dropped through a hole in the floor without the use of a chute, the area onto which the material is dropped shall be completely enclosed with barricades not less than 42" high and not less than 6 feet back from the projected edge of the opening above Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

MATERIALS HANDLING