Safety Tips

Warehouse Safety

DOCKS (NON-FORKLIFT)
When stocking shelves by hand, position the materials to be shelved slightly in front of you, so you do not have to twist when lifting and stacking materials Visually inspect for sharp objects or other hazards before reaching into containers such as garbage cans, boxes, bags or sinks Remove or bend nails and staples from crates before unpacking the crates When cutting shrink wrap with a blade, always cut away from you and your co-workers Do not try to kick objects out of pathways; push or carry them out of the way Do not let items overhang from shelves into walkways Move slowly when approaching blind corners Place heavier loads on the lower or middle shelves Remove one object at a time from shelves Place items on shelves so that they lie flat and do not wobble

HAND TRUCK OPERATIONS

When loading hand trucks, keep your feet clear of the wheels Do not exceed the manufacturer's load rated capacity; read the capacity plate on the hand truck if you are unsure Place the load so that it will not slip, shift or fall; use the straps, if they are provided, to secure the load For extremely bulky or pressurized items such as gas cylinders, strap or chain the items to the hand truck Tip the load slightly forward so that the tongue of the hand truck goes under the load Push the tongue of the hand truck all the way under the load that is to be moved Keep the center of gravity of the load as low as possible by placing heavier objects below the lighter objects Push the load so that the weight will be carried by the axle and not the handles If your view is obstructed, ask a spotter to assist in guiding the load Do not walk backward with the hand truck, unless going up stairs or ramps When going down an incline, keep the hand truck in front of you so that it can be controlled at all times

Move hand trucks at a walking pace

PALLET JACK USE

Only pallet jack operators may operate pallet jacks Do not exceed the manufacturer's load rated capacity; read the lift capacity plate on the pallet jack if you are unsure Do not ride on pallet jacks Start and stop the pallet jack gradually to prevent the load from slipping Pull manual pallet jacks; push them when going down an incline or passing close to walls or obstacles If your view is obstructed, ask a spotter to assist in guiding the load Stop the pallet jack if anyone gets in your way Never place your feet under the pallet jack

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Follow the instructions on the label and in the corresponding Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each chemical product you will be using in your workplace Use personal protective clothing or equipment such as neoprene gloves, rubber boots, shoe covers, rubber aprons, and protective eyewear, when using chemicals labeled "Flammable", "Corrosive", Caustic" or "Poisonous" Always use your chemical goggles and the face shield when handling chemicals labeled "Corrosive" or "Caustic" Do not use protective clothing or equipment that has split seams, pin holes, cuts, tears, or other visible signs of damage Each time you use your gloves, wash them, before removing the gloves, using cold tap water and normal hand washing motion; always wash your hands after removing the gloves. Only dispense a liquid labeled "Flammable" from its bulk container located in areas posted "Flammable Liquid Storage" Before pouring, dispensing or transferring any liquid from a bulk container labeled "Flammable", observe the following safety procedure:

1) Only use the red color-coded, plastic or metal containers for transferring the liquid. 2) Electrically ground and bond the containers as follows: a) Attach the clip at one end of the grounding wire to the rim of the dispensing container and then attach the clip at the other end of the grounding wire to a ground source, such as a ground driven steel stake. b) Attach the clip at one end of the bonding wire to the rim of the dispensing container and then attach the clip at the other end of the bonding wire to the rim of the receiving container. c) You are now ready to dispense the liquid from the bulk container into the opened receiving container. Upon completion, replace the lid on the receiving container and remove the bonding wire. Before using the chemical exhaust hood, flip the fan motor switch to the "On" position Do not use chemicals from unlabeled containers or unmarked cylinders Do not perform "hot work", such as welding, metal grinding or other spark producing operations, within 50 feet of containers labeled "Flammable" or "Combustible" Do not drag containers labeled "Flammable" Use the rubber cradle when transporting unpackaged, glass bottles of chemicals

Do not store chemical containers labeled "Oxidizer" with containers labeled "Corrosive" or "Caustic" Safety Tips

Gas Cylinder Safety

Mishandled cylinders may rupture violently, release their hazardous contents or become dangerous projectiles. If a neck of a pressurized cylinder should be accidentally broken off, the energy released would be sufficient to propel the cylinder to over three-quarters of a mile in height. A standard 250 cubic foot cylinder pressurized to 2,500 PSIG can become a rocket attaining a speed of over 30 miles per hour in a fraction of a second after venting from the broken cylinder connection.

Basic Safety:
If a cylinder is damaged, in poor condition, leaking, or the contents are unknown, contact your cylinder vendor. Have the vendor return the damaged cylinder to the manufacturer. Wear appropriate foot protection when engaged in moving or transporting cylinders. Sturdy shoes are a minimum. Steel toed shoes if required by your supervisor, instructor, or department. Proper personal protective clothing and equipment shall be worn. Always have an appropriate Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) available and be familiar with the health, flammability and reactivity hazards for the particular gas.

Cylinder Markings:

Cylinders must be properly labeled, including the gas identity and appropriate hazards (e.g., health, flammability, reactivity). Cylinders have several stamped markings. The top mark is either a DOT or an ICC marking indicating pertinent regulations for that cylinder. The second mark is the serial number. Under the serial number is the symbol of the manufacturer, user, or purchaser.

Of the remaining marks the numbers represent the date of manufacture, and retest date (month and year). A (+) sign indicates the cylinder may be 10% overcharged, and a star indicates a ten year test interval.

Cylinder Storage:

Cylinders should be stored in compatible groups - Flammables from oxidizers - Corrosives from flammables - Full cylinders from empties - All cylinders from corrosive vapors. Keep oxygen cylinders a minimum of twenty feet from flammable gas cylinders or combustible materials. If this can not be done, separation by a non-combustible barrier at least 5 feet high having a fire-rating of at least one-half hour is required. Secure empty and full cylinders to a fixed support by use of chains, or other substantial restraining devices. Store cylinders in an upright position. Keep valve protective caps in place when the cylinder is not in use. Mark empty cylinders EMPTY or MT. Keep valves closed on empty cylinders. Cylinders must be kept away from sources of heat. Cylinders must be kept away from electrical wiring where the cylinder could become part of the circuit. Store cylinders in well-ventilated areas designated and marked only for cylinders.

Moving Cylinders:

Use a cylinder cart and secure cylinders with a chain. Don't use the protective valve caps for moving or lifting cylinders. Don't drop a cylinder, or permit them to strike each other violently or be handled roughly. Unless cylinders are secured on a special cart, regulators shall be removed, valves closed and protective valve caps in place before cylinders are moved.

Cylinder Use:

Be sure all connections are tight. Use soapy water to locate leaks. Keep cylinders valves, regulators, couplings, hose and apparatus clean and free of oil and grease. Keep cylinders away from open flames and sources of heat. Safety devices and valves shall not be tampered with, nor repairs attempted. Use flashback arrestors and reverse-flow check valves to prevent flashback when using oxy-fuel systems. Regulators shall be removed when moving cylinders, when work is completed, and when cylinders are empty. Cylinders shall be used and stored in an upright position. The cylinder valve should always be opened slowly. Always stand away from the face and back of the gauge when opening the cylinder valve. When a special wrench is required to open a cylinder or manifold valve, the wrench shall be left in place on the valve stem when in use; this precaution is taken so the gas supply can be shut off quickly in case of an emergency; and that nothing shall be placed on top of a cylinder that may damage the safety device or interfere with the quick closing of the valve. Fire extinguishing equipment should be readily available when combustible materials can be exposed to welding or cutting operations using compressed cylinder gases.

Things Not To Do: Never roll a cylinder to move it. Never carry a cylinder by the valve. Never leave an open cylinder unattended. Never leave a cylinder unsecured. Never force improper attachments on to the wrong cylinder. Never grease or oil the regulator, valve, or fittings of an oxygen cylinder. Never refill a cylinder. Never use a flame to locate gas leaks. Never attempt to mix gases in a cylinder. Never discard pressurized cylinders in the normal trash.