Material Handling & Storage

Unstable stacks, overloaded racks and poorly stored materials can fall, roll or collapse onto workers. Good storage is planned, not improvised.

Photo: lumber stacked on stickers, pipe chocked, and block stacked with a taper

Stacking rules (construction examples)

Lumber: stacked on level, solid supports; no more than 20 feet high (16 feet if handled manually); nails removed from used lumber.
Masonry block: taper back one-half block per tier above 6 feet.
Brick: no more than 7 feet high; taper back 2 inches per foot above 4 feet.
Pipe, rebar and round stock: in racks or chocked so it can’t roll.
Bagged material: cross-stacked and stepped back.
Materials stored on floors must not exceed the floor’s load capacity, and must be kept at least 6 feet from hoistways and floor openings inside buildings (10 feet from exterior walls that drop off).

Post and follow load capacities on racks.
Anchor racks and inspect for bent uprights and damaged beams. Report forklift damage immediately.
Place heavy items on lower shelves; don’t climb racks.
Use pallets in good condition and keep loads stable and wrapped.

Use mechanical aids whenever possible, and lift safely when you must. See Safe Lifting and Forklifts.

Last updated: October 1, 2026