5-Star Safety and Health

Management System
Stacking and Storage
Date: 18/05/2013 Revision: Pages: 4
Element: 1.7 Safety Manual: 1-18 OHSAS: 4.3.1

Purpose
To ensure that stacking and storage of equipment and materials is done in such a
way that a risk-free environment is created.
1. Objective
To ensure that stacking and storage of equipment and materials is done in such
a way that an accident-free environment is created and maintained, and that
conformance to housekeeping standards is maintained. (Refer Element (1.8)
Good Housekeeping)

2. Introduction

2.1 Proper stacking and storage is essential to establishing and maintaining a

safe work environment. Correct and safe stacking and storage practices
prevent damage to equipment and materials and injury to persons.
2.2 Proper stacking and storage ensures maximum utilization of space and
reduces production time lost due to searching for supplies and materials.

3. Responsibility and Accountability

3.1 The Manager and / or Supervisor and / or contractor (Responsible Person)
is accountable for the administration and implementation of this standard,
within his area of responsibility.
3.2 Responsible Persons are responsible for the stacking and storage practices
in their areas of responsibilities and must rectify any deviations to ensure
compliance with this standard.
3.3 Where applicable an experienced person should be appointed to supervise
stacking practices.

4. Inspections
4.1 Responsible Persons, safety personnel and Safety Representatives must
do monthly inspections and deviations that are noted must be rectified.
4.2 Safety Engineers are responsible for conducting inspections on an on-going
basis, and for reporting deviations and initiating the actions required to
maintain compliance with this standard.

5. Stacking and Storage Practices Standards

5.1 Stacking must be performed by, or under the personal supervision of a
person who has the knowledge and experience of this type of work.
5.2 Stacking is done in authorized and demarcated areas only. (Element (1.6)
Demarcation of Aisles and Storage Areas)
5.3 All stacking and storage areas must be adequately demarcated, identified
and maintained in good order.
5.4 Stack, store, or secure material in a way that minimizes the danger of
material falling or creating a hazard to anyone near the material.
5.5 Stack and store equipment / material in a way that allows for sufficient and
safe access. For example - make aisles between stacks.
5.6 Pallets and containers must be maintained in a good condition.
5.7 Ensure that all containers such as; cans, bottles, drums, and compressed
gas cylinders, are properly labelled as to their content.
5.8 Stack and store material in a way that does not obstruct exit routes,
electrical switch gear or electrical equipment, emergency or fire fighting
equipment, and lighting or ventilation, or interfere with the operation of
sprinkler heads or detectors (minimum 1m clearance).
5.9 Stack and store materials in or on racks, pallets, bins, shelves, cabinets,
boxes or containers designed to sustain the weight of the material.
Maintain storage to designed capacity.
5.10 Maximum height of a stack must be three times that of the narrowest base
width.
5.11 No stacking is permitted within reach of machinery.
5.12 Windowsills and cabinet tops (higher than 1.5m) must be kept free of
miscellaneous materials.
5.13 Stacks should be bonded and interlocked where applicable.
5.14 No climbing on stacks is permitted. An appropriate ladder or lift shall be
used to gain access to stacks.
5.15 No articles are to be removed from anywhere except from the top of a
bonded stack.
5.16 Any stack that poses a danger of collapsing shall be broken down and
restacked. This should be done immediately, starting from the top, and
must be done under direct supervision of trained personnel only.
5.17 Storage of items in cupboards, on shelves and on floors must be neat and
tidy, providing easy access.
5.18 Stored items must be clearly identified and labelled, and must not protrude
beyond the rack or shelf:
5.19 Racks and shelves must be secured and not be overloaded.
5.20 Heavy items must be stored at a low level to minimize any hazard, and
easy access must be provided to facilitate safe removal of such items.
5.21 All chemical shall be stored according to Element (2.7) Hazardous
Substances Control. Ventilation requirement are to be considered.
5.22 The storage of explosive and flammable materials is to be done in a
custom built flammable liquid store. (Element (3.4) Storage of Flammable
and Explosive material).
6. Document Retention
This document needs to be kept in the Safety and Health Management System
(5-Star) files and made available for auditing purposed.

7. Attachment

Good Stacking and Storage Practices Checklist Y N Comments

Assignment of Responsible People

Are competent, experienced people assigned responsibility for
safe stacking?
Stacking Neat, Stable and Controlled
Are stacks properly constructed? Is the stack higher than 3 X
Base dimension?
Are stacks bonded?

Are all stacks in authorized places?

Are there any unstable or hazardous stacks?

Are stacks erected and broken down under supervision and to
standards?
Are storage areas demarcated?

Storage in Cupboards /On Shelves Neat and Tidy

Are cupboards neat and tidy?

Are shelves neat and tidy?

Unauthorized Stacking

Are windowsills clear?

Is there stacking on top of high cabinets?

Are there any unsafe stacks that need immediate attention?