Safe Stacking of materials - TBT

General Points on Stacking

1. When handling materials wear work gloves and safety boots as necessary, e.g. sharp edges or heavier loads.

2. Only stack material in authorized areas. Never near doorways, access ways or on fire escape routes.

3. Stack on a level surface and provide packing.

4. Never make stacks higher than 3 times the minimum base width.

Q. Where should materials never be stacked?

5. Consider in what order materials will be unloaded from a stack and then load it accordingly.

6. Stack close to work area to reduce amount of handling.

7. If material is being lowered by machine, keep hands clear of load.

Q. What should you consider before loading in a stack?

Bricks, Blocks and Pelleted Material

1. Ensure base of stack is level. Only stack two packs high.

2. Ensure pack is loaded squarely on to previous one.

3. If banding is damaged or materials are displaced in the pack, do not stack other materials on top.

4. Leave sufficient space between pallets for safe removal.

Q. If you see damaged banding, what should you not do?

Timber

1. Racks are best for small-sized timbers.

2. Joists and larger timbers should be placed on bearers.

3. Try to keep different lengths in separate stacks.

Q. What should be used when stacking larger timbers?

Large Prefabricated Panels

1. Stack flat or store secured in designed racks.

2. Don’t lean against parts of semi-constructed buildings.

3. Don’t lean against temporary structures.

4. Don’t store upright where panels can be affected by wind.

Q. Where and how should panels be stacked?

Pipes and Tubes

1. Where pipes are small in diameter, stack in racks.

2. If large in diameter, securely chock at the base.

3. Don’t stack in pyramids as they can become unstable.

4. Large concrete rings must be laid flat so that they cannot be moved or rolled by any person, especially children.

Q. How should you secure large diameter pipes?

Questions

1. How can you reduce the amount of handling?

2. Where should you not stack large panels?

REMEMBER

STACK SAFE – STAY SAFE