Jobsite Material Handling Safety

• Strains from lifting heavy or awkward materials
• Pinch points while moving, stacking, or placing materials
• Falling or shifting loads
• Trips caused by poorly staged materials
• Workers struck by equipment during material movement
• Poor communication during team lifts or equipment-assisted moves

Material handling happens throughout the jobsite, and it can create injuries when workers rush, lift awkwardly, stage materials poorly, or move loads without communication.

Before moving material, workers should consider the weight, shape, sharp edges, balance, grip points, travel path, and final placement location. If the load is too heavy or awkward, equipment or team lifting should be used.

Manual lifting should be done with control. Workers should keep loads close, avoid twisting, use stable footing, and avoid carrying items that block their view.

Pinch points are common during material handling. Hands and feet can be caught between pipe, lumber, pallets, walls, truck beds, racks, buckets, forks, or the ground.

Staging matters. Materials should be placed where they do not block walkways, exits, ladders, traffic control, equipment routes, emergency access, or excavation access.

Stacks should be stable and appropriate for the material. Pipe, lumber, blocks, sheets, boxes, and pallets can shift or roll if they are not chocked, banded, stacked, or supported correctly.

Equipment-assisted material handling requires communication. Workers should stay clear of forklifts, loaders, cranes, hoists, and suspended loads unless they have an assigned role and the hazard is controlled.

Safe material handling depends on planning the move before the load is in motion. Know the path, use the right method, communicate clearly, and stop if the load becomes unstable.

• Plan the lift or move before handling material.
• Use equipment or team lifting for heavy or awkward loads.
• Keep hands and feet clear of pinch points.
• Do not carry loads that block your view.
• Keep staged materials out of walkways and access routes.
• Stack and secure materials to prevent shifting or rolling.
• Communicate clearly when equipment is used to move materials.

• Is the load too heavy, sharp, awkward, or unstable for one person?
• Is the travel path clear?
• Where are the pinch points during the move?
• Will the material be staged where it does not block access?
• Are workers clear of equipment and suspended loads during movement?