Safe Handling of Metal Materials

• Cuts from sharp edges, burrs, or unfinished metal
• Strains from lifting heavy or awkward metal materials
• Pinch points between sheets, bars, racks, pallets, or equipment
• Falling or shifting metal from unstable stacks
• Burns from recently cut, welded, or heated metal
• Trips from loose metal scraps, rods, straps, or offcuts

Metal materials can create hazards because they are often sharp, heavy, slippery, awkward, and difficult to control. Sheets, bars, pipe, angle iron, plate, tubing, and scrap metal all need to be handled with attention.

Workers should inspect metal before handling it. Sharp edges, burrs, rust, oil, straps, banding, and cut ends can cause cuts or punctures if workers grab material without checking it first.

Gloves are often needed when handling metal, but the glove should match the task. Workers should also consider whether gloves could create an entanglement hazard around rotating tools or equipment.

Heavy or awkward metal should be moved with help, carts, forklifts, hoists, cranes, or other equipment when needed. Workers should not try to muscle through long, flexible, or unbalanced pieces.

Pinch points are common when stacking, sliding, loading, unloading, or positioning metal. Hands and feet should be kept clear of contact points between metal pieces, racks, truck beds, floors, walls, and equipment.

Stored metal should be secured so it cannot roll, slide, tip, or fall. Pipe, bar stock, sheet metal, and scrap should be stacked or restrained in a way that matches the material.

Workers should watch for hot metal. Recently cut, welded, ground, or heated metal can burn skin even when it no longer appears hot.

Safe metal handling depends on planning the lift, controlling sharp edges, keeping hands out of pinch points, and maintaining clean storage and walking areas.

• Inspect metal for sharp edges, burrs, oil, rust, and straps.
• Wear hand protection when appropriate.
• Use equipment or team lifting for heavy or awkward material.
• Keep hands and feet clear of pinch points.
• Secure metal so it cannot roll, slide, or fall.
• Treat recently cut or welded metal as hot until confirmed safe.
• Clean up scraps, offcuts, and loose banding.

• What sharp edges, burrs, or cut points are present?
• Is the material too heavy, long, or awkward for one person?
• Where are the pinch points during handling or placement?
• Is stored metal secured from rolling, sliding, or falling?
• Could any metal be hot from cutting, welding, or grinding?