Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Materials Handling and Storing Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA Publication 2236 Materials Handling and Storing discusses the handling and storing of materials in the workplace. Handling and storing materials involve diverse operations such as hoisting tons of steel with a crane; driving a truck loaded with concrete blocks; carrying bags or materials manually; and stacking palletized bricks or other materials such as drums, barrels, kegs, and lumber. The efficient handling and storing of materials are vital to industry. In addition to raw materials, 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. In addition to training and education, applying general safety principles?such as proper work practices, equipment, and controls?can help reduce workplace accidents involving the moving, handling, and storing of materials. Whether moving material manually or mechanically, your employees should know and understand the potential hazards associated with the task at hand and how to control their workplaces to minimize the danger. Because numerous injuries can result from improperly handling and storing materials, workers should also be aware of accidents that may result from the unsafe or improper handling of equipment as well as from improper work practices. In addition, workers should be able to recognize the method for eliminating?or at least minimizing?the occurrence of such accidents. Employers and employees should examine their workplaces to detect any unsafe or unhealthful conditions, practices, or equipment and take corrective action.