Gosport Borough Council - Steel Stockholding

HSE publish new guidance on metal handling and storage

INTRODUCTION

Steel stockholding and processing activities pose significant hazards due to the nature of goods stored and machinery/equipment that may be found on site. It is essential therefore that management takes appropriate steps to identify all such hazards, assess and control risks and inform/instruct/train employees accordingly. The National Association of Steel Stockholders (NASS) has produced extensive guidance in its manual 'Safety Guidelines for Steel stockholders and Processors' from which the following summarised advice is taken. The publication is commended to all steel stockholders and processors.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

1. HOUSEKEEPING

· Pedestrian/vehicular passageways to be segregated where possible, and kept clear of obstructions.
· Work and storage areas to be clearly defined.
· Maintenance of all work areas in a debris - free condition.
· Provision of suitable storage facilities for equipment (eg slings).
· Maintenance of adequate lighting and safe condition of flooring.

2. STORAGE

· General considerations include:
- permissible floor-loading.
- level and well maintained storage areas.
- safe clearances.
- adequate space for handling equipment to be used safely.
- safe stacking methods (i.e. no fouling other materials).
- sufficient strength of banding.
- particular care in the stocking of oiled sheets.
· Free standing (i.e. directly on the floor)
- stable stacks.
- use of suitable wood/metal battens and no undue bow or sag.
- without fixed support, sheets and plates should only be stacked horizontally.
- there are special recommended considerations relating to the storage of coil, slit coil and general steel bars.
· 'Supported' or 'racked' (ie subject to permanent or semi-permanent storage e.g. Toast racking, Tree racking etc.)
- Basic requirements include:
* level and adequate in strength
* sufficient space
* racks to be of sound design and construction; designed to prevent materials falling and for them to be adequately supported along their lengths.
* maximum weight capacity to be displayed.
* considerations/precautions regarding use of fork lift trucks etc.
* secure fixing to the floor, if practicable.
* subject to regular inspection.
- Specific recommendations are made for Toast Racking, Specialised Plate Racking; Stillage Racking or Portable (Nesting) Racking; Tree Racking; Shelf Racking; Pigeon Hole Racking; Floor Supported and Vertical Stacking.

3. HANDLING

Manual Handling

· In the steel stockholding industry about one half of all injury accidents are as a result of Manual Handling Operations (MHO).
· Advice on MHO can be found in the Manual Handling element of this Information System.
· Free standing (i.e. directly on the floor)
- stable stacks.
- use of suitable wood/metal battens and no undue bow or sag.
- without fixed support, sheets and plates should only be stacked horizontally.
- there are special recommended considerations relating to the storage of coil, slit coil and general steel bars.
· 'Supported' or 'racked' (ie subject to permanent or semi-permanent storage e.g. Toast racking, Tree racking etc.)
- Basic requirements include:
* level and adequate in strength
* sufficient space
* racks to be of sound design and construction; designed to prevent materials falling and for them to be adequately supported along their lengths.
* maximum weight capacity to be displayed.
* considerations/precautions regarding use of fork lift trucks etc.
* secure fixing to the floor, if practicable.
* subject to regular inspection.
- Specific recommendations are made for Toast Racking, Specialised plate Racking; Stillage Racking or Portable (Nesting) Racking; Tree racking; Shelf Racking; Pigeon Hole Racking; Floor Supported and Vertical Stacking.

4. PROCESSING

· Various processing methods have become a familiar aspect of steel stockholding. These include:
- slitting
- decoiling and cutting to length.
- guillotining and shearing.
- sawing.
- profiling.
- straightening
- polishing
- shotblasting.
- painting.
· The NASS guidelines contain advice on all the above methods, confirming the requirement for effective guarding of dangerous parts and safe working procedures.

HSE publish new guidance on metal handling and storage

5. MISCELLANEOUS

· Other safety issues addressed in the NASS Guidelines and elsewhere in this Information System include:
(i) Management of health and safety.
(ii) Risk assessment.
(iii) Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare
(iv) Fire Safety.
(v) Noise.
(vi) RIDDOR '95
(vii) Electricity.
(viii)Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
(ix) COSHH
(x) Display Screen Equipment

CHECKLIST - STEEL STOCKHOLDING

1. Do you have good standards of housekeeping? - YES / NO
2. Have you carried out risk assessments and identified/implemented control measures regarding your work activities? i.e.
- storage. - YES / NO
- manual handling. - YES / NO
- mechanical handling. - YES / NO
- transport in the workplace. - YES / NO
- processing of steel stock/use of machinery and equipment. - YES / NO
3. Have you carried out assessments, as necessary, under:
- COSHH 1994 - YES / NO
- Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992? - YES / NO
4. Do conditions and facilities comply with the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992? - YES / NO
5. Do you adequately inform, instruct and train employees in matters of health and safety? - YES / NO

REFERENCE/FURTHER DETAILS

1. Folder 'Safety Guidelines for Steel Stockholders and Processors' published by the National Association of Steel Stockholders, Gateway House, High Street, Birmingham B4 75Y Telephone number: 0122 - 632 - 5821. Fax number: 0121 - 643 - 6645. Website:
2. Health and Safety Pocket Book No 2: Slinging and Lifting Operations - Guidance for Safe Use, published by British Steel Distribution, 96 Stourbridge Road, Lye, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY9 7DD. Telephone number: (01384) 424151 Fax number: (01384) 422609.
3. Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Lifting Equipment published by The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association, Waggoners Court, The Street, Manuden, Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshie CM23 1DW Telephone number: (01279) 816504. Website: http://www.leea.co.uk/mainpage.htm
4. HSE website:

5. HSE Books:

For further information please call (023) 9254 5505, 5506 or 5507 during office hours or call at the Town Hall, High Street, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 1EB.

Alternatively e-mail ehs@gosport.gov.uk any time