55 Gallon Drum Safety
With the average 55-gallon drum weighing between 400-600 lbs., manually transporting, decanting, or otherwise handling drums is not only physically demanding, but a potentially dangerous task for any worker.
Risk Factors
At least four serious injuries can occur if a 55 Gallon Drum is not handled safely:
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Fractures;
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Lacerations;
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Hernias; and
- Back strain.
By taking a few precautions before you attempt to move a drum, you can help prevent these serious and painful injuries.
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Some of the common safety hazards associated with industrial drum handling include:
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Heavy drums that can’t be handled manually;
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The size and shape of industrial drums makes even the lightest or even empty drums unwieldy to handle manually;
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Confined spaces in which workers are unable to use forklifts or other material handling equipment;
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Storage of drums in restricted spaces where worker range of motion is severely restricted;
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Unsafe floor conditions in which slipperiness, clutter, or uneven surfaces can cause trips or falls;
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Half-filled drums that have the potential to shift their weight while in transport;
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Hazardous materials that can leak out of improperly sealed drums; and
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High volumes of industrial drums, even when done safely, can lead to overexertion and musculoskeletal strain associated with manual handling.
Keep safety in mind…It will save your behind!
Download flyer: STOTW_340_55GallonDrumSafety.pdf (324.42 kb)
Download Spanish Flyer: STOTW_340_55GallonDrumSafety_esp.pdf (324.24 kb)