28 May Material Storage Safety

Material Storage Safety

Material storage safety is an important part of maintaining an orderly and efficient construction site. Materials that are improperly stacked, secured, or located can fall, shift, roll, obstruct access, overload structural surfaces, or expose employees to fire and other hazards.

Materials should be stored correctly when they are first received. Proper storage protects employees, prevents damage to valuable materials, improves housekeeping, and makes materials easier and safer to retrieve when needed.

Safe Material Storage Practices

• Store materials on firm, level surfaces capable of supporting the intended load.
• Stack, rack, block, interlock, or otherwise secure materials to prevent sliding, falling, tipping, or collapse.
• Keep aisles, passageways, stairways, exits, and access to emergency equipment clear at all times.
• Do not store materials where they could interfere with access to ladders, scaffolds, electrical panels, fire extinguishers, or other safety equipment.
• Keep materials away from floor openings, hoistways, and unprotected building edges as required by applicable safety requirements.
• Do not store more material on scaffolds or runways than is necessary for the work being performed, and never exceed their rated capacities.
• Segregate incompatible materials and follow applicable requirements for storing flammable and combustible materials.
• Remove or bend over protruding nails in used lumber before stacking, handling, or disposal.
• Stack lumber and similar materials so piles remain stable and secure.
• Block, chock, rack, or otherwise restrain pipe, conduit, drums, and other cylindrical materials to prevent rolling or spreading.
• Cross-tie or interlock stacked materials when appropriate to improve stability.
• Do not stack materials so high that the pile becomes unstable or creates a falling-object hazard.
• Keep frequently used materials readily accessible to minimize unnecessary lifting, reaching, and climbing.
• Never climb on material stacks or use unstable materials as makeshift ladders or work platforms.

Floor and Structural Loading

Before storing heavy materials or large quantities of material on elevated floors, platforms, scaffolds, or other structures, verify that the supporting surface has adequate capacity.

Never exceed established floor, platform, rack, scaffold, or shelving load limits. When the capacity is unknown, obtain verification before placing the material.

Protecting Employees Around Stored Materials

Consider how materials will be retrieved before selecting a storage location. Employees should not have to climb over materials, reach beneath unstable stacks, or expose themselves to falling or shifting loads.

When removing material from a stack:

• Remove items in a manner that maintains the stability of the remaining materials.
• Do not pull material from the bottom of a stack when doing so could cause the pile to collapse.
• Keep hands and feet away from potential pinch and crush points.
• Use appropriate mechanical handling equipment for heavy or awkward materials.
• Keep employees clear when materials could shift, roll, or fall.

Housekeeping

Material storage areas should be routinely inspected and kept orderly. Remove damaged pallets, broken containers, scrap material, packaging, and other debris that could create trip, fire, or handling hazards.

Correct unstable stacks and improperly stored materials as soon as they are identified.

Remember

Store materials correctly the first time. Properly located, stacked, secured, and segregated materials improve efficiency while reducing falling-object, struck-by, caught-between, fire, and housekeeping hazards.