Bulk bags are a convenient way to transport, store and dispense a variety of bulk materials. They are woven bags with lifting straps designed to handle 2,000 - 5,000 pounds of bulk material. Due to the large weight involved, there are a few safety considerations that should be addressed. OSHA requires that no person be positioned under a bulk bag that is not solidly supported. The lifting straps on a bulk bag are an easy way to move the bags but should not be used as the only means of support when untying or cutting open the bottom of the bag. Bulk bags are overdesigned with a safety factor but they can be affected by sunlight if stored outdoors. This can cause a failure of the lifting straps or the bag itself. That is why it is best to support the bag from underneath while untying or unloading of the material. Our UltiMAX bulk bag unloaders are designed to provide the necessary support for the bulk bag to keep operators safe.
For additional resources on safety considerations when working with bulk bags please refer to the links below from OSHA and the FIBCA.
- Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container Association (FIBCA) FIBC Handling Guidelines
- OSHA Guide for Material Handling and Storage