Material-Handling Aids
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Session OutlineYou will be able to:•Recognize the hazards of material-handling
aids•Understand how this equipment can help
you work more efficiently and safely•Take proper precautions when using
material-handling aids•Handle materials safely and avoid accidents
and injuries
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What You Need to Know•What the company does to protect you from
material-handling accidents and injuries•What you can do to protect yourself and
co-workers•Types of manual and mechanical aids•Hazards of this equipment•How to use material-handling aids safely
and efficiently
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Why Use Material-Handling Aids?•1 million workers suffer back injuries
each year•1 out of 5 workplace injuries are back
related•4 out of 5 back injuries are to the lower back•3 of those 4 injuries occur when lifting•Material handling is responsible for other
types of accidents and injuries as well
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How Material-Handling Aids Reduce Ergonomic Stress•Eliminate the need to lift and lower manually•Eliminate the need to push or pull•Convert lift/carry tasks to push/pull tasks•Eliminate the need to carry heavy objects
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What the Company Does To Help Protect You•Engineering controls•Administrative controls
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What You Can Do•Maintain proper back
posture•Plan ahead•Get help
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What You Can Do (cont.)
•Use proper lifting and carrying techniques
•Use the right tools•Wear appropriate PPE
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Manual Material- Handling Aids•Hand trucks•Pallet jacks•Carts•Box trucks and tilting
dumps•Ratchet hoists and
pullers•Wheelbarrows
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Hand Trucks•Choose the right hand
truck for the job•Stack carefully•Make sure you can see
over the load•Secure the load, if
necessary
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Hand Truck Operation•Get a firm grip•Watch your fingers•Use safe lifting
techniques•Push, don’t pull•Watch where you’re
going, and keep the hand truck under control
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Pallets•Use the correct pallet•Stabilize the load and
make sure it’s balanced•Keep the pallet
and load low when moving it
•Inspect pallets before loading
•Don’t use pallets as a ladder or manlift, or for scaffolding
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Pallet Jacks•Make sure the jack can
support the load•Check the load•Watch where you’re
going, and keep the load under control
•Don’t fool around
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Carts•Different types of carts•Material-specific carts•Different heights of
working surfaces•Tips for safe use
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Box Trucks and Tilting Dumps•Good for handling
loose objects•Dump and lift feature •Potential hazards
Photo Credit: Vestil Manufacturing
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Ratchet Hoists and Pullers(‘Come-alongs’)•Don’t overload hoists
and pullers•Check anchor points•Never straddle
equipment•Don’t exert more force
than the device can handle
•Don’t use damaged chains, rope, or cable
•Inspect equipment before each use
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Wheelbarrows•Place as much of the
load as possible over the wheel
•Balance the load•Always push a loaded
wheelbarrow forward•Cross obstacles at right
angles•Look out for slippery or
uneven surfaces•Be careful when
dumping the load
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Manual Material-Handling•Do you understand the
information that has been presented in the previous slides?
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Mechanical Material- Handling Aids•Forklifts•Hydraulic- and winch-
operated trucks•Hydraulic lift tables•Cranes and hoists•Freight elevators
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Forklifts•Trained and authorized
operators only•Capacity and stability•Operator inspections
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Forklifts (cont.)
•Operator safety rules• Obey speed limits• Keep alert to pedestrians• Be careful at intersections• Use the horn to warn
•Pedestrian safety rules• Stay in walkways• Look both ways before
crossing aisles• Obey traffic signs• Keep alert to forklift traffic
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Hydraulic- and Winch-Operated Lift Trucks•Lift, lower, transport,
stack, position•Load capacity•Load center•Fork length and width
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Hydraulic Lift Tables•Prevent bending, reaching, and repetitive
lifting•Manually or battery operated•Rated capacity•Floor locks
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Cranes and Hoists•Trained and authorized
operators only•Rated load capacity•Chains and slings•Inspections
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Cranes and Hoists (cont.)
•Stay out of the danger zone•Pick up a load only when it is directly under
the hoist•Never transport people•Don’t leave loads suspended•Use lines to stabilize large, heavy loads•Avoid crane operation around energized
circuits
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Cranes and Hoists (cont.)
•Mark levers, buttons, pull chains, and other controls
•Accept hand signals from only one ground person
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Freight Elevators•Follow rules for forklifts
• Approach slowly and enter squarely• Enter with load end forward• Neutralize controls, set brakes, and shut off engine
•Follow these other safety rules:• Don’t overload elevators• Make sure elevator is level with landing• Watch out for closing doors
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Mechanical Material Handling•Do you understand the
information presented in the previous slides?
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Conveyors•Operate only if you are
trained and authorized•Watch out for powered
rollers and pinch points•Do not climb over or
under conveyors•Don’t perform
maintenance unless the conveyor is locked out
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Conveyors (cont.)
•Do not ride on conveyors
•Know the safe load limit
•Know where emergency stops are located
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Chutes•Don’t walk under
chutes•Don’t stand right in
front of the opening•Be careful when
throwing things down chutes
•Don’t overload the chute
•Always brace temporary chutes
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Handling Special Jobs:Drums•Dollies and hand trucks•Lifters and stands•Tilters/dumpers•Forklift attachments
Photo Credit: Vestil Manufacturing
Photo Credit: Vestil Manufacturing
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0612
Key Points to Remember•Material handling aids help you work more
efficiently, saving time and effort•They also save your back•This equipment can also be hazardous•To work safely with material-handling aids,
you need to understand the hazards and take the proper precautions