• Stored materials must not create hazards for workers.
• Bound materials should be on racks and secured by stacking, blocking or interlocking.

Stored materials must not create a hazard for employees. Employers should make workers aware of such factors as the materials’ height and weight, how accessible the stored materials are to the user, and the condition of the containers where the materials are being stored when stacking and piling materials. To prevent creating hazards when storing materials, employers must do the following:

• Keep storage areas free from accumulated materials that cause tripping, fires, or explosions, or that may harbor rats and other pests;
• Place stored materials inside buildings that are under construction and at least 6 feet from hoist ways, or inside floor openings and at least 10 feet away from exterior walls;
• Separate noncompatible material; and
• Equip employees who work on stored grain in silos, hoppers, or tanks, with lifelines and safety belts.

In addition, workers should consider placing bound material on racks, and secure it by stacking, blocking, or interlocking to prevent it from sliding, falling, or collapsing.