Section XIV. Manual Handling

TM 38-400/NAVSUP PUB 572/AFMAN 23-210 MCO 4450.14/DLAM 4145.12

end resting squarely against the wall or other support.

(3) Such protection from falling objects as are

The distance of the foot of the ladder from the base of

necessary in operating conditions shall be provided.

the wall support should be approximately one-fourth of

the length of the ladder.

6-68. Fork extension.

(2) Defective ladders. Ladders with cracked

The fork extension added to forklift trucks may reduce

rungs or defective or cracked rails will not be used.

the load carrying capacity of a truck rated at 25-inches

(3) In front of doors . A ladder will not be

load center approximately 20 percent when handling 60-

placed in front of a door unless the door is locked or

inch long loads (chap 4). The fork extension should be

otherwise blocked, barricaded, or guarded.

used only in handling loads of relatively light weight.

(4) Stock picking or storing. Ladders should

not be used when stock picking or storing in bin racks;

6-69. Ladders (29 CFR 1910.25; 1910.26; 1910.27;

the stock pickers cart described in chapter 4 will be

1920.29).

used.

a. Construction. The regular rung-type ladder will

(5) Safety rules.

Safety rules will be

have the bottoms of side rails sheathed or covered with

observed and personnel

safety nonskid pads of corrugated or skidproof rubber,

(a) Will not reach sidewise more than

duck, or other skidproof material. Nails or screws

length of the arm.

securing such pads will be countersunk. The pads

(b) Will climb down and reposition the

should be inspected often and replaced when

ladder.

considered unsafe. The regular rung-type ladder must

be constructed so that the rung ends set into notches in

rungs.

the rails.

Only stepladders with safety hand and

guardrails should be used when such ladders are

(d) Will wear appropriate shoes for

necessary. Three sides of the top step of platform-type

protection against slipping.

stepladders will be protected with guardrails.

(e) Will clean all grease or oil from

Stepladders should have only two wheels to preclude

shoe soles.

unsafe movement of such a ladder when in use.

(f) Will not carry heavy units up or

Wheels should be attached to back legs.

down a ladder. Forklift trucks or stock selectors will be

used to elevate material.

b. Use.

(g) Will assure that the bottom brackets

of the upper section of extension ladders are properly

(1) Position. For safe use, the ladder must

secured by pins or rungs.

set on a firm, solid, and level base with the top

Section XIV. Manual Handling

nias, or those who have a history of previous back

6-70. Proper lifting method.

strains, will be assigned to duties that do not require

Persons who manually handle materials of any type will

heavy lifting. Lifting or lowering operations performed

be instructed in the proper method of lifting heavy

by several persons will be done on signal from one

objects. The proper way to lift heavy objects from the

individual and only after everyone's feet, hands, and

floor is for the lifter to stand close to the load, with feet

other portions of the body are clear.

Generally,

slightly apart and solidly placed. With knees bent, the

mechanical means will be used for handling heavy

object will be grasped firmly and lifted by straightening

objects.

the legs, keeping the back as nearly vertical as possible.

When lifting from an elevated surface, the object will be

6-71. Precautions for manual handling.

brought as close to the body as possible to avoid an

unbalanced position. With a straight back, the lifter will

Safety precautions which apply to manual handling of

keep the load close to the body and will avoid carrying a

materials include the following:

heavy load a long distance without resting. The load will

a. Protective clothing or accessories, including

be carried in such a manner that full view is permitted.

gloves, face shields, goggles, and safety shoes will be

When lifting with another person, both persons should

worn as prescribed in paragraph e.

start and finish the lift simultaneously to prevent undue

b. Finger rings will not be worn.

strain on either person. Persons with existing her

c. Material will be examined for sharp edges,

protruding points, weakened places of ropes, or other

factors which may cause injury to personnel.

6-28