Manual Handling Precautions
When moving materials manually, workers should attach handles or holders to loads. In addition, workers should always wear appropriate personal protective equipment and use proper lifting techniques. To prevent injury from oversize loads, workers should seek help in the following:
- When a load is so bulky that employees cannot properly grasp or lift it,
- When employees cannot see around or over a load, or
- When employees cannot safely handle a load.
Using the following personal protective equipment prevents needless injuries when manually moving materials:
- hand and forearm protection, such as gloves, for loads with sharp or rough edges
- eye protection
- steel-toed safety shoes or boots
- metal, fiber, or plastic metatarsal guards to protect the instep area from impact or compression
See OSHA Publication 3151, Personal Protective Equipment, for additional information.
Employees should use blocking materials to manage loads safely. Workers should also be cautious when placing blocks under a raised load to ensure the load is not released before removing their hands from under the load. Blocking materials and timbers should be large and strong enough to support the load safely. In addition to materials with cracks, workers should not use materials with rounded corners, splintered pieces, or dry rot for blocking.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-4. When should employees seek help when manually moving materials?
You forgot to answer the question!