Materials Storage – Warehouses & Yards

Warehouses and Docks

1. “No Smoking” signs must be conspicuously posted in areas where smoking is prohibited.
2. When smoking is permitted, as in offices in connection with warehouses, “NO Smoking” signs and safe means for disposing of lighted smoking materials shall be provided at each point of access to the “NO Smoking” areas.
3. Fire protection should be installed or provided in accordance with codes and regulation of the authority having jurisdiction over the premises. (See Section 8, Fire Protection and Control.)
4. Water hoses and / or portable fire extinguishers, of the proper type to protect both building and contents must be provided convenient, conspicuously accessible location (See Section 8, Fire Protection and Control.)
5. Fire extinguishers must not be blocked from view. Where material could block the view of a fire extinguisher, some means of identifying its location must be provided.
6. Storage buildings should be kept clean and orderly, as well as free from insects, rodents and other pests.
7. Throughout any storage area, warehouse, etc. metal containers with lids are to be available for waste disposal. Oily rags must always be stored in metal containers with lids in place. Lids should be equipped with fusible plugs in case of fire.
8. In any storage area, aisle-ways and passageways must be well marked and free from obstruction.
9. Where mechanical equipment is used to move material within a storage area, aisleways and passageways must be wide enough to prevent congestion.
10. Floors in storage areas must be kept clean and dry as well as free from tripping hazards such as loose boards, protruding nails and other material.
11. All floor holes through which materials might fall and create a  hazard, must be properly guarded by a cover that leaves no openings more than 1” wide, or if necessary, by a standard railing and toe board.
12. Docks, floors and platforms need to be constructed of heavy material and should be checked frequently for broken boards and dry rot.
13. Floors, docks and other surfaces should be inspected periodically to ensure they are safe for employees. Any condition which could cause an accident must be repaired as soon as possible.
14. All wall opening, more than 1” but less than 30” wide through which materials might fall and create a hazard are to be guarded.
15. All platforms, open sided floors, walkways, decks, etc. which are more than four feet above the ground or floor level must be equipped with guard rails, mid rails and toe board.
16. Floor load limit plates should be posted in a conspicuous place and those load limits must be adhered to.
17. When material is stored in bins, the heavier objects should be placed in the lower bins with the lighter material stored in upper bins.
18. Storage bins are to be constructed of material strong enough to support the weight. Tall bins need to be secured so that they cannot be easily upset.
19. Storage bins should be so designed that material cannot easily fall out of them. Adequate stripping material should be used along the leading edge to minimize this problem.
20. Benches, boxes, bins, etc. must not be used to climb on. Only approved ladders or step stools are to be used for that purpose.
21. Ladders and other climbing equipment be kept in good condition and replaced or repaired when needed. When finished using the item it must be adequately stored.
22. Stepladders are to be of commercial grade or, as minimum meet or exceed class ll requirements.
23. Commodities which are incompatible with on another must not be stored together. If they must be stored in the same area they shall be separated by distance or partition which is adequate to eliminate the danger.
24. Commodities which qualify as ordinary combustibles are not to be stored in piles exceeding 21’ in height and no material be stored within 18 inches of the ceiling or sprinkle heads.
25. Commodities which may be hazardous in combination should not be stored where they can come in contact with each other.
26. Materials such as PUP joints, tall valves, short steel bar stock, small diameter cylinders, etc., should be placed suitable racks or securely tied so they cannot fall over.
27. Nails should not be used for hooks or to support heavy objects.
28. When uncrating material and opening barrels, kegs, boxes, crates, etc., all projecting nails, wires, straps, etc., should be removed before the job of unpacking is started .
29. When cutting or removing metal straps from bales, crates or other packages, the workmen should stand clear where flying ends cannot strike them.
30. In preparing material for shipment, employees should :
    • Use the proper type of container or package for the material to be shipped.
    • Properly label the container or package.
    • Be sure the container is built to meet requirements for strength.
    • Do not leave protruding nails or splinters.
    • Be sure that wire and metal band and straps are pulled tight and that no sharp ends are left exposed.
31. Hand trucks or carts must not be overloaded.
32. All skids and runways should be securely fastened as soon as they are put in position.

Storage Yards

1. All yard storage material should be neatly stored in designated areas, convenient for truck unloading and loading.
2. Sufficient safe clearance for movement of all necessary vehicles must be provided in warehouse yards.
3. Clearance limits signs should be posted wherever necessary.
4. Permanent aisles, roadways and passageways must be kept clear of obstructions.
5. Except for large tanks, material should not be stored on the bare ground. Racks, sacks, shoring, planks or other material should be under all stored items.
6. Storage areas should be kept as free of vegetation and as possible.
7. Trash, junk and rubbish is to be cleaned up and placed in proper receptacles.
8. Open pits, ditches, etc., must be guarded to protect personnel.
9. Stored material should be stacked in a manner that makes it secure against sliding or collapse.
10. Material should not be left, piled or stacked within 8’-6” of the center of a railroad track.
11. Derail and / or bumper blocks are to be provided where a rolling freight car could contact other cars enter a building, work or traffic area.
12. Skids used for moving pipe and other materials must be substantially built and should be designed for their particular use.
13. All skids are to be securely fastened at one end at leas, and at both ends if possible.
14. Pipe racks should be built substantially enough to carry the load for which they are intended and must be kept in good repair.
15. Pipe should not be racked in tiers higher than five feet. Tiers should be separated with stripping and should be securely blocked at the outside joints of pipe on each tier.
16. Pipe should in a yard can create hazards if precautions are not taken. Appropriate racks should be provided, spacing between racks is necessary and choking of prevent it from rolling off a stack is required. Other material to stored in a yard shall not be placed on top pipe.
17. Stripping for 4-inch pipe and smaller should be 1-inch material. for pipe larger than 4-inch, 2-inch material shall be used.
18. All pipe under 6-inch should be blocked with 1-inch material nailed to the stripping, 6-inch and larger pipe shall blocked with 2-inch material, nailed to the stripping.
19. Where old or bent material is stored on pipe racks, particular care should be taken in stacking and handling it to and from the rack.
20. Bins for heavy junk must be substantially built and must be kept in good repair .
21. Heavy gloves and shoes should be worn, and extreme care must be taken whenever it is necessary to get into a junk bin to load or unload the material