# Materials & Material Handling
You'll spend a lot of your day moving and working with materials — do it smart.
## Common materials
Lumber and engineered wood, concrete and masonry, steel and metal, drywall, fasteners and connectors, insulation, and finishes — each handled and stored differently.
## Handle them safely
- **Lift with your legs**, keep the load close, don't twist — and use a **team lift** or equipment for heavy or awkward loads.
- **Store materials** properly (off the ground, stable, protected from weather).
- **Housekeeping** — a clean, organized site prevents trips, struck-by injuries, and wasted material.
Manual material handling is one of the **top causes of jobsite injuries** — technique matters.
**Takeaway:** Lift smart and keep the site clean — sloppy material handling causes injuries and waste.
> *Educational overview — not a substitute for hands-on training, OSHA safety training, or an accredited program. Always follow your employer's and OSHA's official safety requirements.*
