Basic Occupational

Safety and Health

Material Handling and Storage

Leo C. Cruz
DOLE OSH Practitioner
Accr. #: 1033-170516-N-0444
BFP – Fire Safety Practitioner
Accr. #: R16-FSP1117-0321
Material Handling
Material Handling
A technique which includes
the art of lifting, placing,
storing or moving of material
through the use of appropriate
handling equipment and men.
National Safety Council (NSC) shows that improper materials handling
accounts for 20% - 25% of all occupational injuries.

Types of Material Handling Accidents;

 Physical strain/ over-exertion

 Falling bad
 Collision
 Hits, cuts and blow
 Trapped between objects
 People falling
 Classification of Materials
Handling Operation
Manual Handling
• Is the lifting, transporting and packaging of products
using own physical strength.
• Hand operated handling, transporting and packaging
of products.

Mechanical Handling
• Pertains to more rigid, powered and non-powered
mechanics mainly for handling bulky and heavy
items
 Manual Handling
Mistakes That Cause Injuries
• Bending Back
• Twisting with Load
• Attempting to much weight (load too heavy)
• Reaching too far
• Lifting to one side
• Off-balance shifting
•Failure to use personal protective equipment
(PPE) such as safety gloves
Precautions in Manual Handling
• Familiarize with the hazard associated with the material or
load
- Sharp edges?
- Too heavy?
- Contains hazardous material? (check SDS)

• Examine the surrounding area prior to handling

• Get a firm grip of the object
• Use necessary personal protective equipment
• Lift gradually
• Follow proper lifting method.
HUMAN BODY ANATOMY
MECHANICAL HANDLING
Non-Power Driven
• Wheeler/ Hand Truck
• Wheelbarrow
• Cart
• Drum Tilter
• Trolley
• Hand Pallet (Pallet Jack)
• Pulley
MECHANICAL HANDLING
Power Driven
• Forklifts
• Cranes
• Tow Trucks
• Conveyors
• Power Driven Hoist
• Motorized Pallet Jacks
• Elevators and Dumbwaiters
MECHANICAL HANDLING
Mechanical handling equipment could be
categorized into two (2):

• Lifting equipment – such as hoists and

cranes, drum tilter/ lifter
• Transport equipment – tow trucks,
forklifts, conveyors, wheeler/ hand truck,
pulley, trolley, carts, pallet jacks
(motorized or non-motorized)
LIFTING EQUIPMENT TYPES
• Hoist
- Lever
- Chain
- Electric hoist

• Cranes
- Stationary
 Tower cranes
 Overhead travelling cranes

- Mobile
 Wheel type
 Crawler type
 Gantry cranes
 MECHANICAL HANDLING
SAFE PRACTICES
• Mechanical equipment offers more power. However, more
power oftentimes means more hazards and more severe
injuries. The following pre-cautions should be observed
when working with some of these mechanical handling
equipment:

1. Conveyors – shall have an emergency button or pull cord designed

to stop the conveyor in case of emergency.
2. Cranes – shall only have a competent and trained person to
operate the cranes.
3. Slings – thorough inspection shall be conducted before using the
said equipment to see/ foresee any possible defects.
4. Forklifts – affected workers should be aware of the safety
requirements pertaining to forklift operation.
 MECHANICAL HANDLING
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
• Operators must be authorized.
• Operators must undergo skills training.
• Handlers and operators must be trained in health
and safety.
• Equipment must be regularly inspected and
maintained.
STORAGE
PRINCIPLE OF MATERIAL
STORAGE

SAFETY ACCESSIBILITY

ORDERLINESS
 MATERIAL STORAGE
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
 Storage areas should have at least two
(2) exits.
 Should be properly illuminated and
ventilated.
 Materials are properly identified and
labelled (including hazard labels).
 Restricted Access.
 MATERIAL STORAGE
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
 Must have a smooth flow of materials, material
handling equipment and people.
 Storage areas must be kept free from
accumulated materials that may cause tripping,
fires, or explosion, or that may contribute to the
harbouring of rats and other pests.
 When stacking and piling materials, it is
important to be aware of such factors as the
materials’ height and weight, how accessible
the stored materials are to the users, and the
condition of the containers where the materials
are being stored.
 MATERIAL STORAGE
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
 Stored materials must not create a hazard.
 Should have proper danger or warning signs.
 Materials & material handling equipments should
not obstruct emergency equipment such as fire
alarm buttons, evacuation map, first aid kits, fire
extinguishers (portable or fixed) etc.
 SAFE PRACTICES:
STORAGE RACKS
 Storage racks should have adequate
bracing and support.
 Storage racks should have markings
indicating its capacity.
 Storage racks should be bolted to
the ground.
 MATERIAL HANDLING AND
STORAGE SAFETY PROGRAM
An effective Material Handling and Storage Program must have the
following:

•Inspection, maintenance and testing of Material Handling and Storage

Equipment.
• Authorization of Mechanical Handling Equipment Operators.
• Safety Training of personnel.
• Labelling and compilation of SDS of Chemicals.
•Compliance to the provisions of OSHS Rule 1150: Material Handling and
Storage.
• Emergency response and preparedness plans.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Handling material is a daily function in the

workplace. All too often it is a task taken
for granted, with little knowledge of or
attention to the consequences if done
correctly.
END