Principles of Materials Handling

Material handling principles are as follows:

• Orientation Principle: It encourages study of all available system relationships before moving towards preliminary planning. The study includes looking at existing methods, problems, etc.
• Planning Principle: It establishes a plan which includes basic requirements, desirable alternates and planning for contingency.
• Systems Principle: It integrates handling and storage activities, which is cost effective into integrated system design.
• Unit Load Principle: Handle product in a unit load as large as possible
• Space Utilization Principle: Encourage effective utilization of all the space available
• Standardization Principle: It encourages standardization of handling methods and equipment.
• Ergonomic Principle: It recognizes human capabilities and limitation by design effective handling equipment.
• Energy Principle: It considers consumption of energy during material handling.
• Ecology Principle: It encourages minimum impact upon the environment during material handling.
• Mechanization Principle: It encourages mechanization of handling process wherever possible as to encourage efficiency.
• Flexibility Principle: Encourages of methods and equipment which are possible to utilize in all types of condition.
• Simplification Principle: Encourage simplification of methods and process by removing unnecessary movements
• Gravity Principle: Encourages usage of gravity principle in movement of goods.
• Safety Principle: Encourages provision for safe handling equipment according to safety rules and regulation
• Computerization Principle: Encourages of computerization of material handling and storage systems
• System Flow Principle: Encourages integration of data flow with physical material flow
• Layout Principle: Encourages preparation of operational sequence of all systems available
• Cost Principle: Encourages cost benefit analysis of all solutions available
• Maintenance Principle: Encourages preparation of plan for preventive maintenance and scheduled repairs
• Obsolescence Principle: Encourage preparation of equipment policy as to enjoy appropriate economic advantage.

Material handling operations are designed based upon principles as discussed above. Material handling equipment consists of cranes, conveyors and industrial trucks.