This document discusses the selection and use of material handling equipment (MHE) at construction project sites. It defines material handling and outlines its objectives, including cost reduction, waste reduction, and improved productivity and working conditions. Key factors in selecting MHE are identified, such as suitability, capacity, availability, and cost. The principles of planning, material flow, and mechanization are covered. Steps in the selection process include establishing the study scope, determining material volumes and needs, evaluating alternative systems, and selecting equipment categories. Advantages of using MHE include improved efficiency and reduced costs, while disadvantages include additional capital and maintenance costs.

1. PREPARED
BY :
PP16158
PP16159
PP16160
PP16161
PP16162
PP16163
PP16164
PP16165
MATERIALS HANDLING –
SELECTION OF EQUIPMENT, PROCEDURE
AND
PRINCIPLES GOVERNING FOR SELECTION

2.  International Material Management Society has defined the
Materials Handling as “Materials handling is an art and
science involving the movements, packaging and storing of
substances in any form”.
 Involves the activities
o Movement
o Protection
o packaging
o storage and
o control of materials and products
throughout the life cycle of the project.
 Incorporates a wide range of
o Manual
o semi-automated and
o automated equipment and systems
that support logistics and make the supply chain work.
MATERIAL HANDLING :

3. 1. Cost reduction by:
I. Decreasing Inventory level
II. Utilizing space to better advantage
III. Increasing productivity.
2. Waste Reduction by:
I. Eliminating damage to material during handling
II. Being flexible to meet specific handling requirements of
different nature
III. Making proper control over stock during in and out
handling.
3. Improve Working Conditions by:
I. Providing safe working conditions
II. Reducing worker’s fatigue
III. Improving personal comfort
IV. Upgrading employees/workers to productive work.
OBJECTIVES OF MATERIALS HANDLING:

4. 4. Improve productivity:
I. Increasing productivity per man-hour
II. Increase in machine efficiency through reduction of
machine down time
III. Smoothing out workflow
IV. Improving production control.
5. Improve Distribution by:
I. Decreasing damage to products during handling and shipping
II. Improving location of storage facilities
III. Increasing the efficiency of shipping and receiving.
OBJECTIVES OF MATERIALS HANDLING:

5. I. To select machines/equipment and site layout to
eliminate or minimize material handling
requirements.
II. To select most efficient, safe and appropriate
material handling equipment, which can fulfill
material handling requirement at minimum cost.
FUNCTIONS OF MATERIAL HANDLING:

6. III. Minimization of the material handling COST & TIME by :
a) Minimization of movement of semi finished items during the
production process.
b) Planning movement of optimum necessary places in one unit.
c) Minimization of distance moved.
d) Increasing speed of material handling operation through
mechanization.
e) By elimination/ minimization of back tracking and duplicate
handling.
f) By utilization of gravity for material handling.
g) By employ mechanical aids instead of manual labour to
accelerate material movements
FUNCTIONS OF MATERIAL HANDLING:

7. FACTORS AFFECTING EQUIPMENT SELECTION :
1. Suitability for job condition
2. Size of the equipment
3. Standardization
4. Availability in the market
5. Availability of spare parts
6. Versatility
7. Availability of know how
8. Service support
9. Adaptability
10. Load capacity
11. Space requirements
12. Availability of time
13. Principle of matching units
14. Economical aspect
15. Operating requirement
16. Past performance
17. Reputation of manufacturer
18. Warranty or Guarantee
offered by the manufacturer
19. Prime mover used and its
power

8. PRINCIPLES GOVERNING FOR SELECTION OF MHE
1. Planning Principle
2. System Principle
3. Material Flow Principle
4. Simplification Principle
5. Gravity Principle
6. Space Utilization Principle
7. Unit Size Principle
8. Mechanization Principle
9. Automation Principle
10. Equipment Selection
Principle
11. Standardization Principle
12. Adaptability Principle
13. Dead Weight Principle
14. Utilization Principle
15. Maintenance Principle
16. Obsolescence Principle
17. Control Principle
18. Capacity Principle
19. Performance Principle
20. Safety Principle

9. 1. Establish the scope of the study.
2. Pinpoint the areas of Site to be covered by the study.
3. Determine volume expected to be handled per unit time
by the MHE.
4. Nature and type of the materials to be handled.
5. Determine the handling cost of the items being handled
by the present system.
PROCEDURE
TO
SELECT MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT

10. 6. Determine details of distance to be moved, with details of
curves, slopes etc.
7. Determine, how to move the material i.e., in tray, bundles,
pallets etc.
8. Determine the details of the equipment used viz., capacity,
speed, flexibility etc.
9. Determine the time taken for the movement.
10. Alternative systems should then be evaluated from all angles
including financial, physical, safety, acceptance by the
management and operators, and its effects on working,
safety and overall environment.
PROCEDURE
TO
SELECT MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT

11. CATEGORIES OF MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT

12.  Improve efficiency of execution of project by ensuring the
right quantity of materials delivered at the right place at the
right time most economically.
 Cut down indirect labor cost.
 Reduce damage of materials during storage and movement.
 Maximize space utilization by proper storage of materials and
thereby reduce storage and handling cost.
 Minimize accident during materials handling.
 Reduce overall cost by improving materials handling.
 Improve customer services by supplying materials in a manner
convenient for handlings.
 Increase efficiency and stability of work execution with
integral materials handling features.
ADVANTAGES OF USE OF MHE AT PROJECT SITE

13.  Additional capital cost involved in any materials handling
system.
 Once a materials handling system get implemented, flexibility
for further changes gets greatly reduced.
 With an integrated materials handling system installed,
failure/stoppage in any portion of it leads to increased
downtime of the production system.
 Materials handling system needs maintenance, hence any
addition to materials handling means additional maintenance
facilities and costs.
DISADVANTAGES OF USE OF MHE AT PROJECT SITE