Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1009631
20 PalletCentral • July-August 2018 palletcentral.com OSHA does offer a number of tools to help employers train workers to manage material handling and storage in a safe and efficient manner. Most of these relate back to the agency's Powered Industrial Truck standard, 1910.178. The main hazards to be avoided when stacking pallets or other loads are falling materials/loads, off center loads, damaged or loose loads, overloading of equipment, and tipover of the forklift. OSHA emphasizes that damaged merchandise should not be moved unless it has been secured by wrapping or banding. If an off-center load cannot be centered, the heaviest part of the load should be nearest the front wheels of the forklift for greater stability. OSHA urges employers to adopt the following rules: • Only stable or safety arranged loads shall be handled. Caution shall be exercised when handling off-center loads which cannot be centered. • Only loads within the rated capacity of the truck shall be handled. This means operators must know both the weight of the load (in advance) and also the operational limits of their assigned equipment. • The long or high loads which may affect capacity shall be adjusted. • Trucks equipped with attachment must be operated as partially loaded trucks when not handling a load. • A load engaging means must be placed under the load as far as possible, and the mast shall be carefully tilted backward to stabilize the load. • Extreme care must be used when tilting a load forward or backward, particularly when high-tiering. • Move forks as far apart as the load will permit, and be sure the load is centered and the forks are completely under the load before lifting. SAFETY 123rf.com