Material Handling Safety

This material was produced under the grant SH-22246-SH1 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Objectives• Become familiar with safety

regulations on powered industrial trucks

• Practice evaluating safety problems

• Use OSHA standards to improve working conditions

Handouts

• 1910.178 Powered Industrial Trucks

• 1910.176 Handling Materials – General

• Excerpts from slide show

OSHA standards & NIOSH investigations help us recognize and evaluate hazards

based on the history of injuries and fatalities in different industries

Here is the link for National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Fatality And Control Evaluations(NIOSH FACE)

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/default.html

1910.176(a) Use of mechanical equipment.

• Where mechanical handling equipment is used, sufficient safe clearances shall be allowed for aisles, at loading docks, through doorways and wherever turns or passage must be made.

1910.176(a)

• Permanent aisles and passageways shall be appropriately marked

1910.176(a)

• Aisles and passageways shall be kept clear and in good repair, with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard.

• You represent a forklift driver in your plant who is being disciplined for unsafe driving. Everyone knows this guy is a pretty reckless driver.

• What information will you request from the company before proceeding with a grievance?

1910.178(l)(2)(ii) Training

• Training shall consist of a combination of – formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion,

interactive computer learning, video tape, written material),

– practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and

– evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.

• 24 required topics

• You have determined that the driver received adequate training and that the company followed all the right steps in training and evaluating the driver.

• What does OSHA require the company to do next?

1910.178(l)(4)(ii)

• Refresher training in relevant topics shall be provided to the operator when:

1910.178(l)(4)(ii)(A)The operator has been observed to operate the vehicle in an unsafe manner.

1910.178(p)(1)

• If at any time a powered industrial truck is found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe, the truck shall be taken out of service until it has been restored to safe operating condition.

Use or Take Out of Service?

I’ll get that truck repaired this

weekend. We don’t have a replacement

and we need the truck in order to run production.

It’s been like that for a week. One more day

won’t make any difference.

Use or Take Out of Service?

Use or Take Out of Service?

Use or Take Out

of Service?

Use or Take Out of Service?

1910.178(a)(4)

• Modifications and additions which affect capacity and safe operation shall not be performed by the customer or user without manufacturers prior written approval. Capacity, operation, and maintenance instruction plates, tags, or decals shall be changed accordingly.

• 1910.151(c)

• Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.

1910.178(g)(2)

• Facilities shall be provided for flushing and neutralizing spilled electrolyte, for fire protection, for protecting charging apparatus from damage by trucks, and for adequate ventilation for dispersal of fumes from gassing batteries.

Ventilation?

1910.178(g)(4) A conveyor, overhead hoist, or equivalent material handling equipment shall be

provided for handling batteries.

What is the load capacity of this chain?

Material Handling Safety

• Physical plant must be safe – Clear, marked, unobstructed work area

• Workers must be trained, evaluated & licensed• Training must be equipment-specific and site-

specific• Equipment must be safe to operate

– Daily inspections– Removal from service when repairs are needed

• Service areas, such as battery charging stations, must be safe in design and operation