MANUAL MATERIAL HANDLING
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315-002-01-IGDO © 2019, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | www.wsps.ca
Workstation Design
Reduce the distance over which the load has to be moved by relocating production and storage areas.
Design work stations so that workers:
can store and handle all material between knuckle and chest height; waist height is most desirable
can begin and end handling material at the same height
can face the load and handle material as close to the body as possible
do not have to handle loads using awkward postures or an extended reach, and
do not have to handle the same load multiple times in confined spaces that prevent them from using
good body mechanics
Facilitate access to material by:
providing workbenches and other work stations with toe cut-outs, so that workers can get closer
to the load
supplying bins and totes with removable sides
removing obstructions, such as unnecessary railings on bins
Work Practices
Lifting and Lowering
Eliminate the need to lift or lower manually by providing and ensuring proper use of:
lift trucks, cranes, hoists, scissor lifts, drum and
barrel dumpers, stackers, work dispensers, elevating
conveyors, articulating arms and other mechanical
devices
gravity dumps and chutes
power lift tail gates on trucks, and hand trucks to
ensure easy transfer of material from the truck to
ground level
portable ramps or conveyors to lift and lower loads
on to work stations
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