material handling equipment (MHE) used for moving the pallet. The factors to consider are the lifting capacity and lifting height limit of the MHE. For example, when you use a forklift truck to stack three pallets high and maintain uniformity, the height of the lower two pallets should not exceed 102 inches. Also, you can do this by having an average height of 51 inches for each pallet load. In forming pallet loads, you must not exceed the lifting capacity of forklift trucks at the specified distances from the heel or fork. Most 2,000-pound forklift trucks will lift 2,000 pounds if the load does not extend beyond 24 inches from the heel or fork. However, for every inch the load protrudes beyond this point, a sharp reduction in lifting capacity occurs. The following paragraphs describe the types of stowage aids derived from pallets. The box pallet is an adaptation of the standard pallet. A simple superstructure built on the pallet gives it the appearance of a crate or box. Warehouses use the box pallet for storing odd sized items or weak containers that will not support the superimposed load. If you use box pallets for stacking small lots, it permits higher stacking. The pallet rack provides support for pallets that is independent of the lower loads. Use of pallet racks are common to shore activities. Warehouses use them to store material that is not strong enough to support the load. Other uses of pallet racks include storing material with irregular shapes or material that is too small for bulk storage and too large for bin storage. The primary usage of the safety pallet is to elevate personnel both for maintenance work and moving material to and from storage. Handling a safety pallet is the same as handling an ordinary pallet except that it is secured to the forklift truck. Safety pallets provide safety when lifting personnel and material to high places where forklifts cannot approach at a right angle. Dunnage There are different types of dunnage used in warehousing and material storage. The floor dunnage is used to protect stock from possible damage from water flows or dampness from the floor or ground area. The short dunnage maybe cut from salvaged lumber and is used for separating the containers to permit the use of a forklift truck. The dunnage used in handling containers must be shorter than the container. Vertical dunnages are pieces of dunnage used in vertical positions to stabilize crushable items. The purpose of using vertical dunnage is to spread the weight of pallet loads. Usually, dunnage consumes less storage space than a pallet. Dunnage may be made from salvaged lumber at little cost; therefore, it should be used in lieu of a pallet. Collars and Notched Spacers The purpose of collars is to protect the valves of the compressed gas cylinders from the weight of the upper pallets. Collars provide this protection when compressed gas cylinders are in an upright position. To prevent accidental tipping, cylinders stacked vertically must be bound with steel strapping to stabilize the load. Notched spacers are used for horizontal palletizing of compressed gas cylinders. This method of palletization permits the issue of a single cylinder without disturbing the balance of the unit. Notched spacers also prevent compressed gas cylinders from rolling out of the stack. For additional protection, use wire or steel strapping to bind the pallet when transporting cylinders for long distances or over rough terrain. MATERIALS REQU HANDLING Certain materia IRING SPECIAL ls with inherent hazardous properties, delicate instruments, classified items, and pilferable material require special handling or stowage. The following paragraphs describe these materials and the safety procedures for handling them. Hazardous Materials The Naval Ships’ Technical Manual, chapters 670 and 9230, and the DOD Hazardous Material Information System (HMIS) outline the requirements for shipboard use and storage of dangerous and semisafe materials. The DOD 6050.5-LR lists these items under each classification. The HMIS also includes the procurement, transportation, physical, fire-fighting, spill, and leak information for each item. To determine the storage requirements of the item, cross-reference the type storage code from HMIS to the code listed in appendix 9 of NAVSUP P-485 or appendix 8 of NAVSUP P-567. Disposal of hazardous materials will be in accordance with the following publications: OPNAVINST 5090.1 (series), Navy Environ- mental and Natural Resources Manual Naval Ships’ Technical Manual (NSTM), chapter 593, Pollution Control NAVSEAS9593-A7-PLN-010, Shipboard Hazard- ous Material/Hazardous Waste Management Plan The labeling of hazardous material should provide enough information about the hazard presented by the material. Storage tanks and pipes containing hazardous 6-7