Shoveling Safety Tips

• Use a short handled, #2 rounded point shovel

with straight shaft and D grip, bagger scoop

or funnel to fill sandbags. A funnel can help

limit spillover and cut down the number of

loads needed to fill the bag.

• Bend the knees, not the back, to scoop sand.

Automated Filling

• Place bag so that the opening is at waist height.

• Put the bag on a support (ledge, pallet) to reduce

the stress on the hands, shoulders and lower

back.

• Fold the bag opening closed. Tie only if

necessary.

Safety Tips for Moving and

Placing Sandbags

SafetyTips for Transporters (Movers)

• Use General Lifting Tips to move and place

bags.

• Carry bag in front of and close to your body.

• Carry bag at waist height using a cradle hold.

• When available use pallets to move sandbags

to staging area.

• Drag the bag vertically, holding the folded end,

if staging area or pallet is close (within 7 feet).

• Use a brigade line to pass bags to staging areas

that are further away. Stagger the line and face

each other to avoid twisting and turning.

• Do not throw sandbags – it stresses the back

and shoulders.

• Elevate storage pallets to reduce bending when

putting bags on or lifting bags from pallets.

• Straddle drop point with the bag between your

ankles as you place it.

Source: OSHA Region V

For more complete information, see U.S.Army Corps

of Engineers information on sandbag operations and

OSHA’s website, www.osha.gov.

General Safety and Health Tips

• Use gloves to protect hands from chemicallytreated sandbags and contaminants in sand and

floodwater.

• Avoid touching your eyes and mouth.

• Wash your hands and face before eating or

drinking.

• Use safety glasses, particularly on dry and

windy days and when working with automated

equipment.

• Wear work boots (waterproofed if working in

floodwater).

• Use waterproof gear if working in floodwater or

rain.

• Use protective clothing if exposed to polluted

floodwater.

• Wear reflective clothing when working at night.

• Use a personal floatation device when working

near floodwater.

General Lifting Tips

• Do not overfill sandbags – fill bag 1

/2 to 2/3 full.

• Keep load in front of and close to your body.

• Keep the lift between knee and waist height.

• Do not reach out, bend over, or twist when lifting.

• Lift with your legs, not your back.

• Use a good hand grip when lifting.

Safety Tips for Filling Sandbags

Manual Filling

• Using three-person crews works best:

• Bagger - holds open and closes bags.

• Shoveler - shovels sand into sandbags.

• Mover - carries and places sandbags.

• Alternate positions every 20 to 30 minutes.

• Take frequent short rest breaks.

Bagging Safety Tips

• Fold the bag opening outward and form collar

to grip and keep the bag open more easily.

• Use a bag holder or rest the bag on the

ground so that the opening is between knee

and knuckle height.

• Fold the bag opening closed. Tie only if

necessary.

FactSheet

Filling, Moving and Placing Sandbags

During Flooding Disasters

Manually filling, moving and placing sandbags is physically demanding work.

It involves repeatedly lifting and carrying heavy loads, and may involve working in

awkward positions. This work may lead to back and other injuries.

Automated equipment to fill and move sandbags reduces heavy lifting and

should be used when possible.
U.S. Department of Labor

www.osha.gov

(800) 321-OSHA

For more complete information:

DTSEM 3/2010

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or

standards. It does not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of

compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal

Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request.

The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.