Materials Handling Safety
Mishandling materials is the leading cause of workplace accidents and injuries, yet most of these incidents are preventable. To minimize injuries such as muscle strains, pulls, and sprains, mechanical means should be used whenever possible. Many loads are too heavy or bulky to be safely handled manually. To assist with moving materials safely, various types of equipment have been designed, including:
- Cranes
- Derricks
- Hoists
- Powered industrial trucks
- Conveyors
This course covers the fundamental concepts and principles of manual and mechanical materials handling, including moving, transferring, lifting, handling, and storing materials.
Course Objectives
At the end of this course, participants should be able to:
| ID | Objective |
|---|---|
| TO 1.0 | Achieve a minimum score of 70% on the final course assessment. |
| LO 1.1.1 | Describe hazards associated with manual material handling. |
| LO 1.1.2 | Explain safe practices for loading, transporting, and unloading materials. |
| LO 1.2.1 | Discuss hazards and safe work practices when operating powered industrial trucks. |
| LO 1.3.1 | Describe hazards and safe work practices when using cranes and slings. |
| LO 1.3.2 | Identify safety and training requirements for crane operators and signal persons. |
| LO 1.3.3 | Discuss requirements for safe use of slings and lifting/hoisting activities. |
| LO 1.4.1 | Describe safe work practices for working around conveyors. |
| LO 1.4.2 | Explain safe housekeeping practices and proper materials storage. |