QUICK

CARDTM

ProtectYourself

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.

General Safety and Health Advice

• Use gloves to protect hands from chemically-treated

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 Advice

• 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.

OSHA 3361-03-10N

U.S. Department of Labor

www.osha.gov (800) 321-OSHA

For more complete information:

Occupational

Safety and Health

Administration
Filling Sandbags Safely

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

• 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.

Shoveling Safety

• 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.

Moving and Placing Sandbags Safely

Safety Advice for Transporters (Movers)

• Use General Lifting suggestions 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.

U.S. Department of Labor

www.osha.gov (800) 321-OSHA

Occupational

Safety and Health

Administration