Hazards and Solutions

The following is a list of references regarding hazards and possible solutions common to lumber and building material dealer industries.

Receiving

Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklifts)

Lumber and building material dealers are often involved in the delivery of products to construction sites which may include unloading materials using a forklift. Therefore, it is important for these operators to receive training on the safe operation of forklifts at construction sites.

• Protecting Young Workers: Prohibition Against Young Workers Operating Forklifts. OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB), (September 30, 2003). Informs employers that youth employment regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act prohibit most employees under age 18 from operating forklifts for non-agricultural operations and reminds employers that all forklift operators must be trained and certified.
• Preventing Injuries and Deaths of Workers Who Operate or Work Near Forklifts. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-109, (2001).
• Powered Industrial Trucks. OSHA Training and Reference Materials.
• For additional information, see OSHA's Powered Industrial Trucks - Forklifts Safety and Health Topics Page.

Stocking

Manual Lifting/Material Handling

• Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders: Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores - Stocking. OSHA Publication 3192, (2004). Identifies many of the hazards and solutions that apply to the lumber and building material dealer industry, although it was developed for grocery stores.
• Grocery Warehousing - Ergonomics. OSHA eTool. Although developed for grocery warehousing, many of the hazards and solutions apply to the lumber and building material dealer industry.
• For additional information, see OSHA's Ergonomics Safety and Health Topics Page.

Hazardous Materials

• Chemical Hazards and Toxic Substances. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Customer Assistance (including cutting to size)

Machine Guarding

• Machine Guarding. OSHA eTool. Focuses on recognizing and controlling common amputation hazards associated with the operation and use of certain types of machines.
• Amputations. OSHA Fact Sheet, (2002). Covers what, where, and how to avoid amputations.
• Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Workers from Amputations. OSHA Publication 3170, (2007). Helps the small business employer identify and manage common amputation hazards associated with operating and using stationary equipment.
• A Guide for Protecting Workers from Woodworking Hazards. OSHA Publication 3157, (1999).
• For additional information, see OSHA's Machine Guarding Safety and Health Topics Page.

Lockout/Tagout

• Lockout-Tagout Interactive Training Program. OSHA. Includes a tutorial explaining the Lockout/Tagout standard in a question and answer format, a list of Hot Topics discussing major issues related to the standard, and seven interactive case studies.
• Preventing Worker Deaths from Uncontrolled Release of Electrical, Mechanical, and Other Types of Hazardous Energy. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 99-110, (1999).
• For additional information, see OSHA's Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) Safety and Health Topics Page.

Hazard Communication

• For additional information, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages on:
  • Hazard Communication
  • Wood Dust

Checkout

Ergonomic Stress

• Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors - A Critical Review of Epidemiologic Evidence for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Neck, Upper Extremity, and Low Back. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-141, (July 1997). Provides a comprehensive compilation and review of epidemiologic research on the relation between work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, upper extremity, and low back and exposure to physical factors at work, and includes a bibliography and tables summarizing the literature.
• Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders: Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores - Front End. OSHA Publication 3192, (2004). Identifies many of the hazards and solutions that apply to the lumber and building material dealer industry, although it was developed for grocery stores.
• For additional information, see OSHA's Ergonomics Safety and Health Topics Page.

Workplace Violence

• Workplace Violence. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Outdoor Activities

Motor Vehicles

• Motor Vehicle Safety. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Other Resources

• Lyme Disease Facts. OSHA.
• Personal Protective Equipment. OSHA Fact Sheet, (April 2006). Also available in Spanish.
• Occupational Heat Exposure. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Storewide

Electrical

• Electrical. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Fire Safety

• Fire Safety. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Personal Protective Equipment

• Personal Protective Equipment. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Evacuation Plans and Procedures

• Evacuation Plans and Procedures. OSHA eTool. Helps small, low-hazard service or retail businesses implement an emergency action plan, and comply with OSHA's emergency standards.

First Aid

• Medical and First Aid. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.

Recordkeeping

• Frequently Asked Questions for OSHA's Injury and Illness Recordkeeping Rule. OSHA. Provides general guidance about OSHA's revised recordkeeping rule and provides links to more detailed guidance.
• For additional information, see OSHA's Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements Safety and Health Topics Page.