What precautions should workers take when moving materials manually?
When moving materials manually, workers should attach handles or holders to loads. In addition, workers should always wear appropriate personal protective equipment and use proper lifting techniques. To prevent injury from oversize loads, workers should seek help in the following:
- When a load is so bulky that employees cannot properly grasp or lift it,
- When employees cannot see around or over a load, or
- When employees cannot safely handle a load.
Using the following personal protective equipment prevents needless injuries when manually moving materials:
- Hand and forearm protection, such as gloves, for loads with sharp or rough edges.
- Eye protection.
- Steel-toed safety shoes or boots.
- Metal, fiber, or plastic metatarsal guards to protect the instep area from impact or compression.