Material handling safety across projects is critical to ensure worker safety and efficiency. By managing materials effectively, you can deliver a smooth workflow. All while reducing on-site risks and enhancing workplace health and safety standards.
Remember, it is your duty of care as an employer to remain compliant with the Australian Model Work Health and Safety Act.
Onsite Rentals’ material handling equipment rental includes specialist equipment with detailed accompanying guides to help you promote a safe and productive workplace that matches industry compliance standards.
Hire material handling equipment from one of Australia’s most trusted equipment specialists.
Onsite Rentals is here to help you get the job done. Request a quote: 13 40 40.
Crucial Steps for Material Handling Safety
Whatever your material handling and storage safety needs, it’s essential to understand the proper safety steps. This way, you can ensure a safe working environment. These are the steps to follow to deliver on your potential.
Evaluate Your Workplace
Conducting a risk assessment is a crucial first step, whether you’re on-site or at a remote location. This will help you assess potential hazards and other risks posed. For example, with:
- Heavy loads
- Items with sharp edges
- Hazardous substances
During an evaluation, document the risks so you can develop a strategy to work around them. You can then act on your findings, such as bringing equipment to help deal with risky materials.
Ensure Compliance With Australian Laws
The Model Work Health and Safety Act sets material handling equipment safety standards. It regulates workplace safety and sets guidelines for employers to follow. You must evaluate the Act and ensure your business is compliant; this will help you match the requirements for material handling equipment safety industry.
Train Your Workers
Understanding the risks is also crucial to on-site safety. Workers must be fully trained in material handling techniques and know Australian standard safety procedures.
If manual material handling safety is a regular requirement, they must understand correct lifting techniques. While this may seem obvious, a common workplace injury is due to an incorrect technique that leads to back injuries or other strains. Operators in Australia must be licensed for equipment usage, such as a forklift or telehandler, which makes covering relevant training courses a vital investment.
Promoting a safety-first culture can create an environment that removes shortcuts and supports open communication. This can assist with safety planning and the correct approach to material handling.
Use Appropriate Equipment
Every business needs different equipment, but a typical example is using a forklift. After carrying out your workplace risk assessment, you’ll understand the types of equipment you need to complete material handling successfully.
Buying or renting the equipment will resolve your material handling needs, with the latter option being a flexible and cost-effective alternative to upfront machinery costs.
You should also inspect your equipment regularly (daily or weekly) to ensure it’s operating efficiently. If the machinery malfunctions, it can cause musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) injuries or lead to drops in productivity. With regular checks, you can help prevent these outcomes.
Implement Ergonomic Practices
This is a fine-tuning process to reduce the strain on your workers. This improves safety and performance. This will involve a further review of your on-site conditions, after which you can:
- Adjust workstations to reduce bending, reaching, or straining.
- Introduce adjustable lifting equipment.
- Have a task rotation schedule so different workers cover tasks on a varying rota. This can help to minimise repetitive strain.
Speaking directly with workers will help you determine the best course of action to take.
Use Technology to Support Your Safety Standards
With the help of modern technology, you can streamline material handling needs. The likes of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are one tactic, although these come at a cost.
Budget-friendly alternatives include an inventory management system to keep track of your materials. With real-time tracking software, you can keep track of all items and ensure you’re entirely on top of your workload.
Streamline Material Handling With Onsite Rentals
To provide a safe working environment for workers and one with high productivity levels, turn to Onsite Rentals. We’re a trusted Australian service where you can hire essential machinery on a long or short-term basis.
Resolve your material handling needs today, whether you need forklifts or telehandlers. Contact us and request a quote: 13 40 40.
What is Material Handling Safety?
It’s the practices and procedures businesses implement to prevent worker injuries. That’s when they move, lift, or transport materials around a workplace. Training your workforce with proper techniques (such as lifting objects) can significantly lower the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).
Additionally, you may seek to introduce equipment such as forklifts or telehandlers. These will help your workers complete tasks with the minimum risk.
What’s the Most Effective Material Handling Equipment?
It depends on your business needs, but some of the most common machinery include:
- Forklifts
- Conveyors
- Sideloaders
- Bucket elevators
- Hand trucks
- Lifts
It can involve a combination of manual labour (hand trucks) and heavier machinery (forklifts). Reviewing your business needs to determine the most effective equipment will ensure on-site safety and productivity.
