Material handlingchecklist

n PERATIONAL headaches, \-f reduced productivity and losses in profit can be traced to inefficient material handling. The first step in solving problems is identifying them as problems, then ask why they occur and implement the needed solution.

To identify possible shortcomings, review your operations using the following checklis't provided by the Material Handling Institute:

| | Is your material handling eQuipment more than lOyears old?

L__J Do you use a wide variety of makes and models which require a fn tPu." parts inventory?

L_l Are equipment breskdowns the result of poor preventive maintenance? ..: . ', 1 ..,, l-- Are there excessive employee accidents due to manual handling of materials? l__l Are materials weighing rnore than 50 lbs. handled m:muatly? ...t'

I Rr. your lift trucks sent too far for servicing? ..,,:. ):..

I I Are there many handling tasks that require two or more employees? f__l Does material becorne congested at any point? ls production work delayed due to poorly scheduled delivery and removal of materials?

Are skilled employees wasting time handl ing materials?

TO identity possible

shortcomings, review your operatims using this checklist.

LJ Do shop tgucks operate empty more than 209o bf the time?

]_l Does your facility have an excessrye number of rehandling points?

I tr power equipment used on jobs that could be handled by gravity?

l__J Are many handling operations unnecessary?

l___l Are single pieces being handled where unit loads could be used?

fJ Are floor$ and,,raarp6 dirty and in need of repair?

[__] Is handling equipment being overl,oaded? ,,','

L_l lq there unnecessaft transfer of n ed? Is high $lorage space bbing wast:" material? i___l Are high demurrage charges experienced? l__l Are too many pieces of equipment being used because their scope of activity is confined?

! Is material being damaged during handling?

[J Are inadequate.storage areas harnpdring effii:ibnt scheduling of movernent?

! Ir it difficult to analyze overall material handlitrg- operations because there is,no {flpiled flow chm?

[J Are indirect labor Coststoo high?