Bulk Material Handling Safety Issues Part One

Take a good look at your material handling supply; that is, take a hard look at your supplier AND your current roster of equipment.

• What is the state of your material handling equipment?
• If you haven't had an inspection recently, you're probably overdue.
• Is your supply due for an upgrade, repairs or replacement? Some equipment seems to last forever; others may develop 'make-do' problems your crew learns to work around. It may be time for a risk assessment of problem equipment.
• In the age of lawsuits and increasingly bad press with regard to mishaps, can you afford to let your 'make-do' equipment stay on the floor?
• If your crews become lax with regard to safety equipment and procedures, even the newest piece of your material handling equipment supply is at risk.
• Safety goggles, helmets and especially hearing protection can be worn improperly or not at all. Most shops have requirements in place to insure the proper use of these items, but it could be time to take a lesson from some military repair depots who use a 'buddy system' to insure safety compliance.

Your supplier may have inspection checklists or maintenance schedules you can use to create your own calendar of routine safety checks and balances.