Search
Search

Preventing the Most Common Materials Handling Injuries

Posted on 12/3/2013 by Joel Gregier

For many US workers, handling and storing materials in the workplace is an every-day job responsibility. “Materials handling” takes place in a number of ways and involves operations including, but not limited to:
 
  • Working cranes to move heavy objects,
  • Utilizing fork lifts to transport loads,
  • Stacking and storing bulky items like drums or lumber,
  • Feeding raw materials into manufacturing units, and
  • Manually lifting and carrying items like heavy boxes or bulky bags in the workplace.
 
These types of daily activities are critical to general industry. When performed incorrectly, though, these tasks can cause injuries, sometimes serious ones.
 
OSHA 10 Hour General Industry Banner
 
 
Injury Frequencies for Materials Handling and Storing
 
The US Department of Labor collects information on workplace injuries and makes that data available to the public. According to its most recent statistics, over 15% of injuries that require days away from work or restricted or transferred duties (DART) are caused by overexertion in lifting or lowering.
 
 
Causes of Injuries Involving Handling and Storage
 
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 50% of all DART injuries are soft-tissue damage (sprains, strains, tears, soreness, and bruises). Common causes of soft-tissue injuries include lifting objects that are too heavy, are too bulky, or have their weight unevenly distributed. During the lifting process, employees may bend, twist, or turn their bodies in ways that result in injury. It is critical to train employees on proper lifting techniques to prevent these types of injuries.
 
Protect your workforce with expert OSHA training from Lion Technology. Convenient and effective, OSHA online courses are available 24/7 and can be completed at your employees’ own pace. From comprehensive 10-hour training to courses on material handling and storage, fall protection, electrical safety, hearing conservation, and more, you will find a complete list of training at www.Lion.com.
 

Tags: handling, materials, osha

Find a Post

Recent Posts

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

I was able to present my scenario to the instructor and worked thru the regulations together. In the past, I attended another training firm's classes. Now, I have no intention of leaving Lion!

Diana Joyner

Senior Environmental Engineer

Lion's training was by far the best online RCRA training I've ever taken. It was challenging and the layout was great!

Paul Harbison

Hazardous Waste Professional

I was recently offered an opportunity to take my training through another company, but I politely declined. I only attend Lion Technology workshops.

Stephanie Gilliam

Material Production/Logistics Manager

The workshop covered a lot of information without being too overwhelming. Lion is much better, more comprehensive than other training providers.

George Alva

Manufacturing Manager

My experience with Lion training, both online and in the classroom, is that they are far better organized and provide a better sequential explanation of the material.

Robert Roose

Manager, Dangerous Goods Transportation

Course instructor was better prepared and presented better than other trainers. Course manual and references were easier to use as well.

Marty Brownfield

Hazardous Waste Professional

I like Lion's workshops the best because they really dig into the information you need to have when you leave the workshop.

Tom Bush, Jr.

EHS Manager

I have over 26 years of environmental compliance experience, and it has been some time since I have attended an environmental regulations workshop. I attended this course as preparation for EHS Audits for my six plants, and it was exactly what I was looking for.

Frank Sizemore

Director of Regulatory Affairs

Lion was very responsive to my initial questions and the website was user friendly.

Michael Britt

Supply Chain Director

Lion is at the top of the industry in compliance training. Course content and structure are updated frequently to make annual re-training enjoyable. I like that Lion has experts that I can contact for 1 year after the training.

Caroline Froning

Plant Chemist

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Spot and correct 4 of the most common universal waste errors before they result in a notice of violation during a Federal or state inspection.

Download
Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.