Drum Handling Safety Tips
to help you
avoid injury
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- It can be hazardous to move a drum with your forklift.
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Have you seen people manually roll a drum on the bottom rim?
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Ever see someone roll a drum down a makeshift ramp?
- There's a better way to mix the contents of a drum than rolling it on
the floor!
Identify the Hazards:
- Drums too heavy for people to handle safely.
- Flexible plastic drums that are difficult to grip.
- Drums stored in tight spaces.
- Slippery, cluttered or uneven floors.
- Contents shifting in a partially full drum can make it difficult to control or even dangerous.
- Dangerous drum contents
Address the Issues by educating employees to:
- Acknowledge hazardous circumstances and procedures
- Check MSDS of drum contents
- Wear appropriate protective clothing, such as steel toe boots, gloves, safety glasses, etc.
- Ensure proper lighting and adequate space in work areas
- Provide the correct ergonomic equipment for safe handling of specific drums
- Label forklifts as required if drum handling attachments are used
- Train employees on correct use of all drum handling equipment
Recommendations for drum handling safety. . .
Heavy drums should always be moved with proper drum handling
equipment. Use a drum truck,
forklift
attachment, below-hook drum
lifter or other equipment specifically designed for drum handling.
A full 55-gallon steel drum can weigh over 2,000 pounds, with
typical weights of 400 to 800 Lb. When being moved, the contents of your
drum may shift inside, making the drum difficult to control or even
dangerous. There are also special considerations when handling a plastic
drum or a fiber drum. Conditions such as restricted spaces and slippery
or uneven floors can entail greater risks.
Mishandling a heavy drum can cause serious injury, damage the drum,
waste valuable contents or contaminate the environment. Common injuries
include a strained back, crushed fingers or hands, and foot trauma.
Incidents of dropped drums, or drums rolling out of control, can also
cause spills and damage.
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Always use protective clothing
Eliminate risk factors
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Drum handling safety requires a systematic approach to eliminate all
possible causes of injury. Take proper precautions if the drum contents
are hazardous or flammable. Refer to your MSDS for correct handling
procedures. Always use appropriate protective clothing such as gloves,
steel-toed shoes and eye protection. Environmental factors should be
considered, such as adequate lighting and sufficient space to safely
handle drums. Of course, cluttered, sloped or slippery floor surfaces
increase the risks. Eliminate these conditions as much as possible, and
clean up any spills. Replace any missing bungs or lids.
Always use proper equipment designed for the task when handling
heavy drums. Train all employees in proper drum handling safety
procedures and use of
drum handling equipment.
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Drum Handling Safety Tips
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Move Your Heavy Drums
- Many drum handlers are available to safely move heavy steel, fiber and plastic drums.
- A partially filled drum may not seem heavy, but shifting contents can make it difficult to handle. It may roll unpredictably
and be difficult to control. Handle it carefully to avoid damage and accidents.
Palletize Drums
Rack Drums
- Moving drums with bare forks is NOT recommended. Use a
drum racker designed for the job.
- When drums are stored on their sides they should be cradled in a drum rack.
Dump Drums
Move Empty Drums
- Support the leaning drum with your thigh, and face it the way you will travel. Then roll the drum on its lower rim by rotating the upper rim hand over hand.
- To lift an empty drum, squat, then straighten your legs. Do NOT bend your back. Correct posture and placement of hands and feet is
essential when handling drums. Specially designed drum trucks are a much safer alternative for moving drums.
- When rolling an empty drum on its side control it all the way, using your gloved hands. Never roll a drum out of a truck or past a
blind corner without posting a guard.
- Be alert for burred edges, lock rings and bungs that may catch your gloves or clothing and throw you off balance.
Please email us or
call (315) 437-8475 to speak with a Morse professional about the correct
drum handling safety for your application. |
