Stack timber and board materials

URN: PROHSW04
Business Sectors (Suites): Health and Safety in Wood Occupations
Developed by: Proskills
Approved on: 2015

Overview

This standard covers the skills and knowledge required to stack round timber, sawn timber and board materials safely.

It includes:

  1. Safe stacking
  2. Stability of stacks
  3. Access to stacks

Because timber and board materials are heavy, when accidents occur they tend to be serious. Falling timber-based materials are one of the main causes of fatalities and serious accidents within the woodworking industry. Despite this, the risks posed by stacked timber are often not fully appreciated.  Stacked timber is often given less attention than other more obvious risks such as those from machinery.  A high proportion of falling timber-based material accidents involve propped up boards or doors. Injuries occur when the mass of boards or doors topple over as an attempt is made to withdraw a single board or door.


Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. comply with risk assessments, safe systems of work and relevant health and safety regulations and legislation at all times
  2. organise stacking/storage areas following standard operating procedures  and health and safety regulations and legislation
  3. follow safe stacking procedures at all times following standard operating procedures
  4. follow safe unstacking procedures at all times following standard operating procedures
  5. use appropriate machinery and equipment to stack and unstack timber and board following standard operating procedures  and health and safety regulations and legislation
  6. check that stacks are stable and packed following standard operating procedures  and health and safety regulations and legislation
  7. rebuild stacks following health and safety regulations and legislation and standard operating procedures
  8. check stack height and quality meets health and safety regulations and legislation following standard operating procedures
  9. band packs following standard operating procedures  and health and safety regulations and legislation
  10. use bearers and separating sticks following standard operating procedures  and health and safety regulations and legislation
  11. use required personal protective equipment following health and safety regulations and legislation

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. relevant health and safety legislation and regulations
  2. safe working practices for safe stacking
  3. requirements for safe storage/stacking areas
  4. machinery and equipment used
  5. stability requirements
  6. access requirements
  7. rebuilding process
  8. height and quality requirements
  9. banding requirements
  10. bearing and separating stick requirements
  11. personal protective equipment used

Scope/range


Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary


Links To Other NOS


External Links


Version Number

1

Indicative Review Date

2020

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Proskills

Original URN

PROHSW04

Relevant Occupations

Carpenter and Joiner, Construction Operatives, Furniture Makers and Other Craft Woodworkers, Health and Safety Managers, Paper and Wood Machine Operatives

SOC Code

8121; 5442; 5315; 5319; 3567

Keywords

Timber; logs; stack; store; load; board