Whether lifting tons of steel with industrial conveyor systems, driving a truck loaded with concrete bars, or carrying supplies manually, efficient handling of materials is important in any business. This operation provides a continuous flow of parts and assemblies through the workplace and ensures that materials are available when needed for the operation. Material handling, however, involves a lot of danger. As a business owner, you need to make sure your employees practice proper material handling, as one single mistake will not only result in the interruption of your business operations, but in injuries and accidents involving your employees as well.
The Right to Know
Whether moving materials manually or mechanically through overhead conveyor systems or some other mechanism, your employees should know and understand the potential hazards associated with material handling. As numerous injuries can result from improperly handling and storing materials, workers should be aware of possible accidents that may result from the improper handling of equipment as well as inappropriate work practices. They should also be able to recognize the methods for eliminating or minimizing the occurrence of such accidents.
Potential Hazards
Workers lifting heavy objects in the workplace usually face back injuries. Bending, followed by twisting and turning, are the more commonly cited movements that cause these body problems. In 1999, more than 420,000 workplace accidents resulted in back injuries, with workers citing the weight and bulkiness of objects that they lift as major contributing factors to their injuries. Other potential injuries that can occur when manually moving objects include strains and sprains, fractures, bruises, and cuts.
Moving Materials Properly
The key to a safe workplace is the practice of proper work procedures. When moving materials manually, workers should attach handles or holders to loads. They should always wear appropriate protective equipment and use proper lifting techniques. When using mechanical equipment like pneumatic lift table to move or lift materials, on the other hand, workers must be aware of both the manual handling safety concerns and safe operating techniques. They should avoid overloading the equipment and let the weight, size, and shape of the material dictate the type of equipment to use.
In addition to training and education, applying general safety principles such as proper work practices, and controls can help reduce workplace accidents involving moving and handling of materials.
The Right to Know
Whether moving materials manually or mechanically through overhead conveyor systems or some other mechanism, your employees should know and understand the potential hazards associated with material handling. As numerous injuries can result from improperly handling and storing materials, workers should be aware of possible accidents that may result from the improper handling of equipment as well as inappropriate work practices. They should also be able to recognize the methods for eliminating or minimizing the occurrence of such accidents.
Potential Hazards
Workers lifting heavy objects in the workplace usually face back injuries. Bending, followed by twisting and turning, are the more commonly cited movements that cause these body problems. In 1999, more than 420,000 workplace accidents resulted in back injuries, with workers citing the weight and bulkiness of objects that they lift as major contributing factors to their injuries. Other potential injuries that can occur when manually moving objects include strains and sprains, fractures, bruises, and cuts.
Moving Materials Properly
The key to a safe workplace is the practice of proper work procedures. When moving materials manually, workers should attach handles or holders to loads. They should always wear appropriate protective equipment and use proper lifting techniques. When using mechanical equipment like pneumatic lift table to move or lift materials, on the other hand, workers must be aware of both the manual handling safety concerns and safe operating techniques. They should avoid overloading the equipment and let the weight, size, and shape of the material dictate the type of equipment to use.
In addition to training and education, applying general safety principles such as proper work practices, and controls can help reduce workplace accidents involving moving and handling of materials.
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