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Home›Courses›Safety Training›Material Handling Safety Training: Moving and Storage

Material Handling Safety Training: Moving and Storage

23 minutesEN / ES / MLCCSafety Training29 CFR 1910.176 - Handling Materials: General
Quick Answer

Material Handling Safety: Moving and Storage is a 23-minute online course that teaches employees safe practices for moving, storing, and handling materials in industrial and warehouse settings as required by OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.176. It is designed for warehouse workers, shipping and receiving personnel, and anyone involved in material movement operations and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

Material handling injuries are among the most common in general industry, accounting for a significant share of workplace strains, sprains, fractures, and crush injuries each year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overexertion and bodily reaction from manual material handling consistently ranks as a leading cause of lost-time workplace injuries. OSHA's material handling and storage standard (29 CFR 1910.176) requires employers to ensure that materials stored in work areas do not create hazards and that mechanical handling equipment is maintained and operated safely. Violations of material handling standards are frequently cited in warehouse, manufacturing, and distribution environments.

This course trains your employees on safe material handling practices for both manual and mechanical operations. Your team will learn proper techniques for stacking and storing materials, clearance and aisle requirements, safe use of material handling equipment such as hand trucks and pallet jacks, load securement principles, and how to identify and report hazardous storage conditions. The course emphasizes the connection between proper material handling practices and injury prevention.

What You'll Learn

  • OSHA material handling and storage requirements under 29 CFR 1910.176
  • Safe stacking and storage practices - height limits, weight distribution, and stability
  • Aisle clearance requirements and egress route maintenance in storage areas
  • Safe operation of manual material handling equipment - hand trucks, pallet jacks, and dollies
  • Load securement and securing materials during transport
  • Hazard recognition in storage areas - unstable stacks, blocked exits, and overhead hazards
  • Housekeeping requirements that prevent material handling injuries
  • Reporting procedures for hazardous storage conditions and damaged materials

Who Needs This Training

  • Warehouse workers handling incoming and outgoing materials
  • Shipping and receiving clerks responsible for loading and unloading operations
  • Manufacturing employees moving raw materials and finished goods between workstations
  • Stockroom and inventory personnel who stack, organize, and retrieve stored materials
  • Supervisors overseeing material movement and storage operations
  • Any employee who manually handles, moves, or stores materials as part of their job

Regulatory Background

OSHA's material handling and storage standard (29 CFR 1910.176) requires that materials stored in areas where workers pass or work be stacked, blocked, interlocked, or limited in height so they are stable and secure. The standard also requires safe clearances for aisles, loading docks, and storage areas, along with proper housekeeping to prevent tripping and slipping hazards. Additional material handling requirements appear throughout OSHA's general industry standards, including powered industrial truck operation (29 CFR 1910.178), crane and hoist safety (29 CFR 1910.179), and sling safety (29 CFR 1910.184). Serious violations of material handling standards carry penalties of up to $16,550, with willful violations reaching $165,514. Material handling hazards are frequently cited during OSHA inspections of warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities, particularly when unstable stacks, blocked aisles, or inadequate material storage practices are observed.

Frequently Asked Questions

The standard requires that stored materials not create hazards for workers. Materials must be stacked, blocked, interlocked, or limited in height to ensure stability and prevent collapse. Storage areas must maintain safe clearances for aisles, at doorways, and around fire equipment. Materials stored in tiers must be secured to prevent sliding or collapse, and the maximum safe load limits for floors must not be exceeded.
While OSHA does not specify a single universal aisle width, 29 CFR 1910.176(a) requires that permanent aisles and passageways be kept clear and in good repair with no obstructions that could create hazards. OSHA also requires under 29 CFR 1910.37 that exit routes be kept free of obstructions at all times. In practice, aisles in warehouses should be wide enough for safe equipment operation and pedestrian traffic, which typically means at least 4 feet for pedestrian aisles and wider for forklift traffic.
OSHA does not mandate a specific inspection frequency for storage areas, but best practices include daily visual inspections of high-traffic storage zones, weekly checks of rack integrity and load capacity compliance, and immediate inspections after any rack impact or load shifting event. Employers should document inspections and address identified hazards promptly. Storage areas should also be included in the employer's regular safety inspection program.
OSHA requires employers under the General Duty Clause to train employees on the hazards they face in their work, which includes material handling risks. While there is no standalone OSHA training requirement specific to manual material handling, employers must ensure workers understand proper lifting techniques, load limits, stacking procedures, and how to use material handling equipment safely. Many employers combine material handling safety training with ergonomics and back safety training for comprehensive coverage.
Employers must ensure that storage racks are designed and installed according to manufacturer specifications, loaded within their rated capacity, regularly inspected for damage, and properly anchored to the floor. Any racks damaged by forklift impacts or overloading must be immediately unloaded and repaired or replaced. OSHA may cite damaged or overloaded storage racks under the General Duty Clause or under 29 CFR 1910.176 if they present a hazard to employees.

Part of These Training Packages

Manufacturing & Warehousing

10 courses for OSHA general industry compliance

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Employers providing comprehensive material handling training often pair this course with Material Handling: Proper Lifting Techniques to address manual handling body mechanics, and with Forklift Safety: Certify and Comply for employees who operate powered industrial trucks in material movement and storage operations.

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$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95
Language

This course is available in English, Spanish, and Multi-Language CC at no additional charge.

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

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$24.95
per person