Abstract
Successful Army operations depend on the efficient handling, storage, and flow of materials. Accidents associated with materiel handling activities not only affect the efficiency of an operation but also endanger the lives of Army personnel. In addition, the annual cost to the Army for materiel handling accidents averages approximately $4,315,836. The high incidence and cost of materiel handling accidents poses significant operational problems for the Army. The Army could make great strides in alleviating these operational burdens as well as meeting its safety goals through concerted accident prevention efforts. The U.S. Army Safety Center is making its first attempt to quantify the system problems in the Materiel Handling Major Problem Areas. Improvements in the design of materiel handling equipment and in supervisory practices and training methods may be applicable both to other government agencies and in the private sector.
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