When dealing with large goods, improper material handling can lead to material damage, equipment damage, and even employee injuries.
About 20% of all workplace injuries in Australia are caused by employees being hit by moving or falling objects.
In every workplace, the top priority should be safety, and this is achievable with the right practices.
In this post, we will cover what material handling is, how it works, and some tips for a hazard-free work environment.
Let’s start by exploring what material handling is.
What Is Material Handling?
Material handling is the process of transporting material from one location to another.
This can be done through manual handling, by using materials handling equipment, or a combination of both.
The material being transported can be anything from raw materials to finished products.
In a manufacturing setting, it includes receiving material, storing it, and moving it to the production line.
How Does Material Handling Work
Material handling is typically a four-step process that consists of the following:
1) Receiving Materials
This is the first step and it involves receiving material from suppliers.
It also involves unloading, inspecting, and counting the material as it comes in.
Materials are inspected for quality and damage – any damaged material is set aside to be repaired or discarded.
The materials that pass inspection are then stored in a designated area.
Receiving material can either be a manual process or can be done with materials handling equipment.
If you are using materials handling equipment, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid damaging the equipment or injuring yourself.
2) Storing Materials
After the material is received, it needs to be stored in a designated area.
The type of storage will depend on the material being stored.
For example, raw materials may need to be stored in a cool, dry place to prevent them from spoiling.
Finished products may need to be stored in a secure location to prevent them from being damaged or stolen.
When storing material, it is important to follow any safety guidelines that have been put in place.
For example, if you are storing material on shelves, make sure the shelves are sturdy and not overloaded.
If you are using material handling equipment, such as pallet trucks or forklifts, make sure the equipment is in good working condition.
Also, it is important to ensure that you are properly trained to use it since improper use of the equipment can lead to serious injuries.
3) Moving Material
The next step in material handling is moving the material from one location to another.
If you are using material handling equipment, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid damaging the equipment or injuring yourself.
If the material is too heavy to lift safely, ask for help or use the right equipment.
Once the material has been moved to its destination, it is time for the final step.
4) Shipping Material
The final step in is shipping the material to its destination.
This involves loading the material onto a truck or other type of transportation and delivering it to the customer.
When shipping materials, it is important to use proper packaging to prevent the material from being damaged in transit.
In some cases, materials may need to be shipped by a certain date to meet customer demands.
If this is the case, it is important to plan ahead and allow enough time for the material to be received, stored, and moved before it needs to be shipped.
By following these four steps, you can ensure that material is handled safely and efficiently.
Now that we’ve gone over the basics of material handling, let’s take a look at some tips to help you increase efficiency and safety.
9 Material Handling Tips for Safety and Efficiency
In material handling, the goal is to move material from one location to another as safely and efficiently as possible.
There are a number of things you can do to increase safety and efficiency in your operations.
Here are nine tips to help you get started:
1) Make Sure the Material is Properly Labelled
This will help you and your employees know what material is, where it needs to go, and how to handle it.
Proper labelling will also help you keep track of material as it moves through your facility.
Your operations will run more efficiently and smoothly if materials are properly labelled.
2) Use the Right Equipment for the Job
Make sure you use the proper equipment for each job.
There is an extensive range of material handling equipment available such as pallet trucks, container ramps, platform ladders, bin tippers, hand trucks, and safety cages.
Each piece of equipment has its own unique uses, strengths and weaknesses and use will be based on your specific needs.
For example, if you’re lifting heavy objects, you’ll need a different type of equipment than if you’re moving smaller objects.
Using the wrong type of equipment can lead to inefficiencies and accidents which is why it is important to choose the machinery that is best suited for the task at hand.
3) Inspect Equipment Regularly
It’s important to inspect your equipment and perform maintenance on a regular basis to ensure that it is in good working condition.
If you find that your machinery is damaged, make sure to repair or replace it as soon as possible.
Allowing damaged equipment to continue to be used can lead to reduced output as well as accidents and injuries.
4) Calculate Handling Costs Regularly
Material handling costs can add up quickly, so it’s important to calculate them on a regular basis.
An important cost to take note of is the cost of unit load – which is the cost of handling per unit of material.
You can calculate this by dividing the total handling costs by the total number of units shipped.
Calculating your costs on a regular basis will help you identify areas where you can save money as you’ll get to know where most costs are being incurred and how to reduce them.
5) Train Employees on Material Handling Procedures
Make sure all employees who will be involved in material handling are properly trained.
This will help ensure that material is handled safely and efficiently.
If you have new employees, make sure to provide them with the necessary training.
In addition, refresher training for all employees can help keep handling procedures top of mind.
6) Implement a Material Handling System
If you haven’t already done so, consider implementing a material handling system.
These systems can help increase safety and efficiency by automating some of the tasks.
If you’re looking to increase efficiency in your business, consider implementing a semi-automated handling system.
A semi-automated system uses machinery to move material from one location to another but requires some manual input from employees.
This type of system is ideal for businesses that have a high volume of material to move but don’t want to fully automate their handling operations.
These systems can be expensive, but the investment can pay off in the long run.
No doubt, material handling systems can also be complex, so it’s important to work with the right service providers to ensure that the system is properly designed and installed.
7) Use Material Handling Software
The right software can help you track material as it moves through your facility.
It can also help you keep track of the possible costs that you may incur as well as material locations.
Additionally, they can be a valuable tool in increasing productivity and efficiency in managing your operations.
There are many different types of material handling software available, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.
8) Implement Safety Procedures
Material handling can be a dangerous activity, so it’s important to implement safety procedures.
Some safety procedures include using proper personal protective equipment, using caution when handling material, and following safe lifting practices.
Safety procedures should be followed at all times to ensure the safety of employees and to avoid accidents.
9) Review Procedures Regularly
Material handling procedures should be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that they are up-to-date and effective.
They should also be reviewed whenever there are changes to the operation.
Reviewing your procedures regularly will help you identify problems and make sure that material is being handled in the safest and most effective way possible.
Conclusion
Material handling is an important part of many businesses. By following these tips, you can ensure that your operation is safe and efficient.
At Industrial Vehicles, we offer a range of material handling vehicles and equipment for carrying loads and towing materials.
If you need help with your material handling process, you can contact us and we’ll be glad to help.