Material Handling Hazards.
Injury Causation.
Over exertion.
Over exertion is the 1st cause of workplace
injuries and it is caused by exerting excessive effort or force when lifting,
pushing, pulling, carrying, or throwing objectives.
Back injuries.
Cause for back injuries:
- Lifting improperly or too much weight.
- Turning over body while lifting or carrying.
- Lower too quickly or improper.
- Material slip or dropped.
- Slip and falls while carrying material.
- Frequency of activities.
- Load center of gravity.
- Mechanical lifts injuries.
Forklifts.
Cause of forklifts injuries:
- Lack of operating procedures.
- Lack of following safe operating procedures.
- Inadequate training.
Conveyors injuries.
Cause of conveyors injuries:
- Pinch point
- Moving rollers and belts that can catch clothes, jewelry, or long hair.
- Falling materials
How to avoid material lifting hazards.
Preplanning is key to preventing injuries. 7 points should
be taken into consideration during safe lifting plan arrangement:
- Weight of the object.
- Location/ position of load.
- Frequency of lifts.
- Stability of the load.
- Size of material and hand grip.
- Avoidance of twisting / stooping.
- Other environmental factors.
Steps should be considered to avoid lifting hazards.
- Don not let anyone stand or walk under elevated forks.
- Do not drive with forks raised.
- Go up and down slope slowly.
- Never twist your body when lifting any materials.
- If the load is heavy, get help before lifting.
- Use appropriate equipment tools when moving drums, barrels, or cylinders.
- Do not wear loose clothing around the conveyor.
- Do not walk beneath a conveyor while it is operating.
- Keep hands, arms, legs and clothing away from moving parts.