Most projects and tasks, both on the jobsite and in the shop, involve handling materials by manually lifting, pushing, pulling, twisting, carrying, and holding a wide variety of materials, tools, and equipment.

SMACNA has developed a new guide to help members prevent the injuries related to these movements. SMACNA’s new Manual Materials Handling Program is a written model program that includes roles and responsibilities, risk factors, means of prevention, a matrix of material handling equipment, sample checklists, and ten Toolbox Talks for training employees.

“It is imperative that companies review their material handling policies and programs as part of an effective safety culture,” said Mike McCullion, SMACNA’s director of market sectors and safety. “The injuries related to materials handling can often include significant workers compensation claims due to musculoskeletal injuries to the back, neck, joints, tendons, muscles, and more.”

This new guide can help prevent these injuries before they happen. The model written program can also be customized and edited to match a company’s safety culture beliefs and goals. It provides practices and procedures that can protect workers from the pain involved in these injuries, the negative affect on productivity, and the increasing costs of related medical care.

Members can receive a free copy of SMACNA’s Manual Materials Handling Model Program on the Model Programs section of SMACNA’s Safety webpage. For more information, contact Mike McCullion, director of market sectors and safety (mmccullion@smacna.org / (703) 995-4027).