Materials Handling, Storage, Use and Disposal Safety

Upon completing this program, participants will be able to:

• Apply safe manual material handling techniques: proper lifting mechanics (load kept close to the body, straight back posture, use of leg strength, avoidance of twisting), awareness of the NIOSH Lifting Equation for task evaluation, use of team lifting for loads beyond individual capability, and application of mechanical aids (hand trucks, pallet jacks, hoists) to reduce manual handling risk.
• Manage storage racking systems safely: understanding rack load capacity (per-shelf and per-bay ratings), conducting structural inspections for damage (uprights, beams, connectors, anchors), applying rack protection systems (column guards, end-of-aisle protectors), enforcing stacking height limits, and maintaining a rack management programme to prevent structural failure.
• Apply safe stacking and storage practices: ensuring stable stacking configurations, enforcing height limitations, maintaining proper weight distribution, using cross-stacking where appropriate for stability, keeping aisle clearance, and organizing storage to prevent material collapse, sliding, or falling hazards.
• Inspect and use slings safely: conducting inspection of wire rope slings (broken wires, kinks, corrosion, diameter reduction), synthetic slings (cuts, burns, UV degradation), and chain slings (stretch, wear, link deformation), understanding rated capacities and sling angle effects, selecting appropriate hitch types (vertical, choker, basket), and removing damaged slings from service.
• Manage hazardous material storage: applying OSHA 1910.106 requirements for flammable liquid storage cabinets and rooms, ensuring compressed gas cylinder storage and restraint (1910.101), segregating incompatible chemicals, controlling quantity limits, and maintaining storage arrangements that prevent fire, explosion, and reactive hazards.
• Manage material disposal: performing waste characterisation, segregation of waste streams, proper container labelling, completing waste manifests, and ensuring disposal through approved facilities in compliance with environmental regulations.

Core Curriculum Topics

• Manual Material Handling: lifting mechanics, NIOSH Lifting Equation awareness, team lifting, mechanical aids
• Storage Racking Safety: load capacity, structural inspection, protection systems, damage assessment, collapse prevention
• Stacking and Storage: stability principles, height limits, weight distribution, aisle clearance management
• Slings and Rigging: wire rope, synthetic and chain slings, capacity ratings, angle factors, hitch types, inspection criteria
• Conveyors: guarding, emergency stop systems, lockout/tagout for maintenance, safe loading and unloading
• Hoists and Cranes (Awareness): capacity limits, inspection, rigging principles, signal communication
• Flammable Liquid Storage (1910.106): cabinets, rooms, quantity control, ventilation requirements
• Compressed Gas Storage (1910.101): cylinder restraint, segregation, valve protection, safe handling
• Hazardous Material Segregation: incompatible chemical storage, DOT classification principles
• Material Disposal: waste classification, labeling, manifesting, regulatory disposal pathways
• Housekeeping: aisle maintenance, spill control, material rotation, accessibility management

• No prior training required
• No academic degree required
• All instruction in English; working proficiency required

Upon completion, graduates receive an American Institute of Safety Professionals certificate, wallet card, and transcript. Employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

• Warehouse workers and warehouse managers
• Manufacturing workers who handle raw materials and finished goods
• Shipping and receiving personnel
• Safety officers managing materials handling programmes
• Maintenance workers who handle and store chemicals and equipment
• Anyone responsible for racking inspection and storage area management

• Materials Handling, Storage, Use and Disposal — YOU ARE HERE
• Powered Industrial Truck Safety / Forklift Safety (material transport equipment)
• Crane and Derrick Safety (heavy lifting)
• Hazard Communication (chemical labelling for stored materials)