Safe handling is a must when working with heavy material.
Safety Tips when Handling Heavy Materials
The workplace is a busy and active environment with various activities happening all around. This can lead to possible distractions and negligence among workers.
However, putting in place warning signs isn’t enough. Because as an employer, you must know of all the potential risks.
Then, you must ensure all workers practice the proper safety measures when doing their job.
So, apply these handy tips to handle heavy material safely.
What are the hazards when working around heavy material?
It is important to know of all the risks that your workplace can have. Frankly speaking, you can’t just assume everyone handles materials properly.
So, here are the most common hazards when handling heavy material.
- Falling heavy materials
- Slips, trips and falls
- Rolling heavy materials
- Material spillage
- MHE failure
Suggested read: 5 Most Common Warehouse Hazards and How to Prevent Them
Therefore, to avoid such hazards that are possibly fatal, practice these heavy material handling safety tips below.
How do you handle materials safely?
1. What are the equipment used for material handling?
Some workers are confident enough to use any MHE without any training. Just because it looks simple to operate, doesn’t mean it is.
That’s why it is crucial to train the designated workers who are tasked to operate any handling equipment. This is to avoid any injuries that is caused by improper handling of materials.
Regardless if it’s a plastic trolley, pallet mesh or as complex as a lift table and a pallet stacker, training is a must.
2. Practice caution when handling heavy material
There could be an abundance of precautions such as warning signs, walkways and more but they are nothing if workers aren’t alert.
Especially those who are tired and fatigued throughout the day. This is because they lose concentration when handling heavy material.
Eventually, this can cause injury to themselves and others around them. So make sure workers are either fully alert to operate material handling equipment or to find a replacement for the task.
3. Follow the safety regulations
In any workplace that handles materials even with low risks must follow all the safety precautions set by DOSH.
Basically, it is not enough to set your own safety precautions. Hence, appoint a HSE consultant to evaluate the workplace.
This can help you identify any safety measures you may have overlooked that could have endangered your workers.
Suggested read: 6 Material Handling Tips to Prevent Work Hazards
4. Do not rush when handling heavy material
No matter how trained you are using that electric stacker or drum handling equipment, handling heavy equipment should never be rushed.
Even though you may think it can get the work done faster, not taking your time will always result in lower quality work. This will cause you to do things twice and clean up more.
Moreover, especially if you’re using any warehouse MHE, it may strain the handling equipment which will lead to failure in a short time.
5. Conduct regular MHE inspections
Before handling any equipment, be it on the ground or stacked at a high-level, inspect the area and MHE first.
This could potentially save your life because you never know if there’s anything out of place that could be hazardous.
Generally, this precaution not only prevents any accidents, but also helps as a preventive maintenance on the MHE used.
How do you lift heavy objects in the workplace?
Take care of your equipment and your workers
The hustle and bustle of a warehouse can easily lead to negligence towards the safety of workers and equipment.
Thus, it is vital that employers are aware of the potential risks and how to prevent them successfully.
Suggested read: The Complete Guide to Warehouse Material Handling
