As we wrap up our series on safe material handling, the tips and practices we have discussed will only help improve your work functions and your health and well being, as well as those around you. Loading and stacking can cause injury if not done properly. The tips below are essential in our shops and warehouses.

• Don’t overload your shelves. High stacks must be stable and sufficiently clear of overhead lights, heaters, pipes or fixtures.
• When loading or unloading trucks, use all proper safety equipment and observe safe loading dock practices.  Pedestrians must take great caution when working around docks or bays.
• Loose or unstable materials are prohibited on shelves or surfaces greater than 72 inches.
• With layered materials, pick from the topmost layer before digging into layers below.  Otherwise you create unstable vertical stacks.  Start with the front pieces and work your way around to the back.  With wrapped pallets, cut away shrink-wrap only as much as necessary, leaving the rest to secure the lower layers.
• When you see an unstable load or dangerous situation, take it upon yourself to immediately correct it.  There should be no pallets, boards, trash or debris left on your shelves or surrounding areas.  Trash or debris not only obstructs one’s line of sight, but also acts to disrupt or push loads off the other side into adjoining aisles.  It is also a tripping and fire hazard.
• Stay clear of fall radiuses and adjoining aisles while loads are being placed onto or off of racks. 
• Materials may only be stacked if you can ensure instability or crushing of product.  Pay attention to the guidance printed on containers, such as, “Do Not Stack” or “This End Up”.  Operators are required to immediately correct any unstable load they may come upon. 
• These include loads easily rocked, leaning to one side, skids not stacked square atop one another, crushed or sagging corners, damaged pallets and unwrapped loads.  Maintain proper access aisles between every other row of product.  This is necessary for both order pickers and emergency responders alike.
• Do not walk atop loads or climb the sides of stacks or racks.  This could result in a serious injury or damage of products.
• Do not leave your utility knives laying around. 

As you see, everyone plays an important role in Safe Materials Handling Practices.  Be Proud of your workplace and use best practices to keep it neat and injury and damage free.