Handling Material Handlers: Training Beyond PIT Requirements
The scope of material handling is broad.
- By Holly Pups
- Sep 01, 2022
Effective material handling is vital in keeping companies, and the world, moving efficiently. From the arrival of raw goods to completed and shipped final products, employees that handle these items help keep your operation functioning smoothly. Their essentialness to the business can make carving out time to train difficult, since taking them away from their travels can create delays. However, ensuring that even the busiest of employees receive thorough training prevents material handling gridlock.
Material handling encompasses employees who move, stock, store or deliver materials. It’s often associated with employees who operate powered industrial trucks (PIT), like warehouse operators or shop employees picking up heavy parts. OSHA’s expectations for safe material handling are not limited to PIT operators or warehouse employees. A material handler’s sole job could be using a pallet jack to move pallets manually, or they could perform a combination of tasks such as the following:
- Stocking shelves
- Loading or unloading pallets
- Picking orders (both on and off a PIT)
- Preparing products to be shipped
- Managing storage and rack systems
- Handling or delivering packages
- Moving parts from storage to manufacturing
- Maintaining inventory
In the material handling standard, 1910.176, OSHA only addresses the environment in which material handling occurs. Training is not addressed, but how can you ensure employees know the ins and outs of safe material handling? Awareness through training is the answer. Training will help employees focus on getting ahead instead of making unnecessary mistakes that put everyone behind.
The first half of this standard focuses on aisle and passageways, housekeeping and secure storage, which apply to many work environments. While OSHA does not outline training requirements for these topics, citations can still be issued if hazardous conditions are found.
When operating mechanical handling equipment, OSHA requires enough clearance for the equipment, such as a forklift, to safely operate around equipment and people. This requirement applies to indoor and outdoor situations. It requires employers to designate permanent lanes of travel for pedestrians and PITs.
This is a simple requirement, but designated aisles and paths are often considered guidelines and not requirements. Pallets are placed in forklift lanes, and materials are stacked in the pedestrian paths. Materials placed in undesignated areas tighten material handling equipment clearance, reduce visibility, and increase the chance of an accident.
This article originally appeared in the September 1, 2022 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.