Toolbox Talk – Material Handling

Our Toolbox Talk is week covers Material Handling, which is defined as the process of moving, protecting, storing, and controlling materials throughout the project phase. Poor handling of material can cause major problems on sites as it may add to material waste, poor productivity and quality of work, project delays, poor material flow and may even cause injuries on site. Contributors such as basic housekeeping, storing of materials and stacking of articles can have a major impact on the overall safety of a construction project. Making simple improvements and changes to these three aspects will improve material management. 

• Material Handling
• Housekeeping & storing of materials
  • The proper storage of materials and equipment must be conducted on-site. The contractor must ensure that the materials to be used for construction, are not placed on the site to obstruct means of access to any workplaces or passageway. When materials are not used or no longer required for use, it does not accumulate on the site and is removed at appropriate intervals. Storage areas must be kept clean, neat and under control. 
• Stacking of articles 
  • Building stacks that have many tiers may not be permitted. Unless the operation is executed by or is under the supervision of an experienced worker and competent person. The base of the stacks must be levelled and capable of sustaining the weight of the stacking materials. The articles that make up a single tier must remain consistent with the same size, shape and mass. And when support structures are used for stacking, they are structurally sound and can support the weight of the articles.   Dimensions to be displayed
  • When a stack becomes unstable or in danger of collapsing, the contractor must dismantle it immediately in a safe manner so that the stability of the stack is not endangered by vehicles, machinery or people passing by them. 
  • No stacking of any material on offices or containers are allowed.

Process in place: 

• Having a proper process in place can save time and reduce any injuries, however, the mentioned process below is a suggestion and may differ due to construction sites being different. 
• All methods and processes must be standardized and communicated to all that will deal with material handling.
• Work safety must be considered the main objective to ensure no injuries occur on-site or while handling the materials.
• Storage areas must be kept clean and organized, to ensure that the materials do not get damaged and to maximize safety.
• Adherence to  5- point PPE.
• Deliveries must be received and handled quickly.
• Unit loads must be optimized to reduce risk at work.
• It could be considered an aspect that is overlooked on construction sites, as it is not deemed as a “high-risk activities”. But incidents can easily occur on site when one is not paying attention and can even be fatal. 

Ergonomics and safe lifting techniques

• No single person shall transport material longer than 3 m carried at the person’s side.
• No material may be carried on the head or shoulder.
• Don’t exceed the maximum manual lift limit per female 18kg and 25kg for male.
• To use material handling equipment such as forklifts, pallet jacks, trolleys and manual handling to be avoided where practical.
• Materials exceeding the maximum weight and lengths to be handled by material handling equipment.
• Good lifting practices to be always followed.
• Gas cylinders to be transported vertical manner. 

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

• Wearing the right personal protection equipment will significantly minimize injuries associated with material handling.
•   5-point – PPE includes hard hat, eye protection, gloves, safety boots, earplugs.
• Material handling risk assessment to be conducted considering size, dimensions, weights, packaging and distance of carry.
• Repetitive motion and repetitive work to be considered.
• No materials/bricks may be thrown from heights or person to person.

Risk – Fall objects

• Adequate communication when material handling is performed on heights.
• Parties involved in material handling activities to ensure they have a firm grip on the materials being handled.
• No loose material should be on scaffolding, platforms, ladders that might pose a risk of falling down to below or a person.

Download the full Toolbox Talk document on the Material Handling below: