MATERIALS HANDLING AND STORAGE

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 material 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.
What should we know before moving, handling, and storing materials?
Whether moving materials manually or mechanically, we should know and understand the
potential hazards associated with the task at hand and how to control their workplaces to
minimize the danger.
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.
What are the potential hazards for workers?
Other hazards include falling objects, improperly stacked materials, and various types of
equipment. You should make your employees aware of potential injuries that can occur
when manually moving materials, including the following:
1. Strains and sprains from lifting loads improperly or from carrying loads that are either
too large or too heavy.
2. Fractures and bruises caused by being struck by materials or by being caught in pinch
points, and
3. Cuts and bruises caused by falling materials that have been improperly stored or by
incorrectly cutting ties or other securing devices.
Manual Handling
Simply stated the movement of items by humam energy.
Manual Handling include:
Lifting, Lowering,
Pushing, Pulling,
Carrying or otherwise moving ,
Holding or Restraining
of any person, animal or item
Items to be move can range in:
Size
Weight
Shape
Bulk
Type
Delicacy
Mechanical Handling
Mechanical Aids
Hand Truck
Pulley
Fork Lift
Hoist
Crane
Scissor lift
Safe use of mechanical equipment for lifting
The following need to be considered when planning and carrying out a lift:
The load weight, centre of gravity, size, vulnerability to being blown around by the wind;
Selecting lifting equipment capacity, reach, means of travel and manoeuvrability with the load,
visibility, potential for engine to act as ignition source and ventilation of fumes;
Inspecting equipment before lift;
Attachment method strength of slings and any anchor points, and potential for damage caused by
the load (e.g. sharp edges);
Lifting method lifting and lowering at a suitable, slow speed, use of tag lines to control the load
when suspended;
Personnel - competent driver/or operator, need for banksman and their competence;
Adjacent hazards;
Weather;
Communication typically with banksman or two-way radio in some situations (although this needs
careful consideration as it cannot be 100% reliable);
Protecting people and plant under suspended loads.

Safety Storage of Materials
General hazards
The substances we use and store can, as you know, pose a number of different hazards if they're
not handled and used properly and safely.
Some of the hazards are physical hazards. These could include:
- Fire
- Explosion
- Sudden release of pressure (for instance, if a tank of compressed gas is punctured)
- Reactivity (fire, explosion, or release of dangerous gases that can result from contact
between particular chemicals and certain other chemicals or air or water)
Protection against hazards
The design of storage buildings and areas and the materials used in their construction
- Ventilation
- Drainage, dikes and other means of keeping spills from spreading into the water supply
- Keeping hazardous substances separated from anything that could trigger the hazard for
instance, keeping flammable liquids away from flames or other ignition sources
- Storage and handling rules, such as how to stack and remove containers
- Emergency equipment availability, such as fire extinguishers and spill clean-up materials
- Personal protective clothing and equipment
- Good housekeeping practices
Materials storage
Storage areas - designate storage areas for plant, materials, waste, flammable substances e.g.
foam plastics, flammable liquids and gases such as propane and hazardous substances e.g.
pesticides and timber treatment chemicals;
Pedestrian routes do not allow storage to spread in an uncontrolled manner on to footpaths
and other walkways. Do not store materials where they obstruct access routes or where they
could interfere with emergency escape;
Flammable materials - will usually need to be stored away from other materials and protected
from accidental ignition;
Storage at height - if materials are stored at height e.g. on top of a container, make sure
necessary guard rails are in place if people could fall when stacking or collecting materials or
equipment;
Tidyness - keep all storage areas tidy, whether in the main compound or on the site itself; and
Deliveries - plan deliveries to keep the amount of materials on site to a minimum.



















SAFETY ENGINEERING

REPORT NO. 1
MATERIALS HANDLING AND STORAGE



PREPARED BY GROUP 2
LEADER: MICHAEL S. SOLITO
MEMBERS: VON HARLEY ROSENDO
EDMUND GARCIA
JON ADRIEL PINEDA
RENANTE SAURA
JAY AR SANDOVAL
JOHN LESTER PEREZ