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Safe Handling 55 Gallon Drums

by Susan McElrath

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In the typical workplace 55 Gallon Drum are used to store material, to ship it, to dispense it for use, and to store wastes. All these 55 Gallon Drums must be moved from time to time. Like most things, there's a right way to move a drum-and several wrong ways to do it. This week's Safety Topic discusses the safe ways to move a drum. Help prevent injuries by moving drums safely.

At least four serious injuries can occur if a 55 Gallon Drum is not handled safely:

fractures
lacerations
hernias
back strain

All these injuries are painful and require a long time to heal. By taking a few precautions before you attempt to move a drum, you can help prevent these serious and painful injuries. Before you move a drum, put on a pair of thick gloves. The gloves will help protect your hands. Also follow this preliminary checklist:

Check to see how much room there is to move the drum.
Plan your route in advance. Don't wait until the drum is in motion.
Check the route for anything that might cause you or your equipment to trip or slip.
Check the drum to make sure it isn't warped. This could cause the drum to slip.
Check the drum for burrs which could cause a laceration.
Check the drum for liquids which could cause you to lose your grip.
Check the bung to make sure it is tight enough to prevent leaks.
If you are moving the drum using a pallet, make sure the pallet is in good condition.

There are four ways to "break," or initially move a 55 Gallon drum from its standing position. These are pulling, pushing, or combinations of pulling and pushing, the drag/pull method and the push/pull method. Pulling is necessary when 55 Gallon drums are grouped closely together. Pushing is used when there is ample room to work. The drag/pull method is used when there are tight spots in the area you are "breaking" the 55 Gallon drum. The push/pull method is used when drums are located beside a wall.

To pull the 55 Gallon drum, grip the near chime with one hand and the far chime with the other. Brace your foot at an angle across the bottom chime. Your hands and feet should form a straight line. Check the position of your fingers for possible pinch points. Now you are ready to pull back on the drum.

To push the 55 Gallon drum, place your hands near the chime at shoulder width. Move your shoulders low and close to the drum. Slowly push forward with your legs until you feel the drum reach its balance point.

When using the drag/pull method, place your hands at the near position at shoulder width. Brace the drum with your foot to prevent it from sliding, and shift your weight to the rear foot. Pull and drag it a few inches to the left then to the right.

To use the push/pull method, use one hand to pull the far chime. Use the other hand to push against the wall.

If a 55 Gallon drum starts to fall, get away from it as quickly as possible. If the contents spill, follow your worksite's procedures for reporting a spill.

If two people are moving a 55 Gallon drum, both people can push the drum, pull the drum, or one can push while the other pulls. When rolling the drum, it is safer for one person to roll it.

To roll a 55 Gallon drum, in this case to the left, follow these steps:

Place your left hand high on the chime and your right hand low.
Use both hands to roll the drum.
As your right hand reaches the top, quickly switch the left hand to the top position.
Lift your hands and place them into position. Do not slide your hands because you may cut or burn them.
Keep your feet separated and do not slide them. Use the side step.
Turn your body slightly away from the drum, but not too far away.
Stay close and ahead of the drum.

When you reach your destination, place the 55 Gallon drum in its position using the reverse of the push, pull, drag/pull, or push/pull method.

Caution!! please read the DISCLAIMER

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