This Material Handling, Stacking and Storage SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) covers handling, stacking and storing goods, materials and stock by hand and with trolleys, hand trucks and pallet jacks. It sets out checking racking and safe working loads, clear walkways, planning the route, safe lifting, stacking heavy items low, avoiding overhangs, using spotters, and never climbing racking. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Warehouses and distribution centres
Retail stores and stockrooms
Hardware and building supply businesses
Manufacturers and workshops
Hospitality and food storage areas
Use it to
Train and induct workers in exactly how you expect the task to be done
Keep a clear reference at the machine, in the vehicle or on site
Record competency with the built-in sign-off
Show clients, insurers and auditors your safe work methods are written down
What this SOP covers
Musculoskeletal injury from lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling
Injury from repetitive or awkward movement
Falling stock or collapsing racking
Being struck by or caught between stacked materials
Slips, trips and falls from cluttered walkways or spills
Cuts from sharp edges, strapping or packaging
Overreaching or overbalancing when stacking at height
What's included
7 pre-operational checks, from racking damage and safe working loads to clear walkways, trolleys and pallet jacks, and load assessment
A 9-step operating procedure covering route planning, lifting technique, stacking patterns, load limits, overhangs and reaching high storage
Controls for parking pallet jacks and trolleys and barricading damaged or unstable racking
5 shutdown, housekeeping and post-operation steps
Emergency actions for shifting or falling stock and racking collapse
PPE checklist and a list of related documents
Competency acknowledgement and worker sign-off
Space for your logo, SOP number, version and review dates
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing an SOP from a blank page
Written as clear, numbered steps that workers can follow on the job
Fully editable, so you can match it to your equipment, site and how your team works
The competency sign-off gives you a training record from day one
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, company name, SOP number and dates.
Check it suits your equipment and site, and edit anything you need to.
Train your workers and have them sign the competency acknowledgement.
Need more than one SOP?
This SOP is also included in the Ultimate Bricklaying & Masonry SOP Bundle, Ultimate Building & Construction SOP Bundle, Ultimate Carpentry SOP Bundle, Ultimate Fencing SOP Bundle, Ultimate Manufacturing & Industrial SOP Bundle, Ultimate Retail & Wholesale SOP Bundle, Ultimate Shopfitting SOP Bundle, Ultimate Steel & Metal Fabrication SOP Bundle, Ultimate Tiling & Waterproofing SOP Bundle and Ultimate Transport & Warehousing SOP Bundle. Each bundle is $197, which works out much cheaper than buying SOPs one at a time.
Common questions
Does it cover forklifts?
No. Forklifts, order pickers and other powered mobile plant are covered by their own plant-specific SOPs.
Does it cover pallet jacks and trolleys?
Yes. It covers non-powered aids such as trolleys, hand trucks and pallet jacks, including parking them safely and never leaving loaded ones on slopes or walkways.
Can workers climb racking to reach stock?
No. Steps or a proper platform are used to reach high storage, never the racking or stacked materials.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any step, check or hazard, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.
