Magnetic Handling Guide

Proper Handling

1. Wear Protective Gear
   Why It Matters: Magnets can pinch fingers or shatter, sending fragments at high speed. Even small magnets can cause serious injury if mishandled.
   Best Practice: Always wear gloves and eye protection when handling large or multiple magnets. Use cut-resistant gloves for high-strength units.
2. Assess Surroundings Before Handling
   Why It Matters: Magnets can snap to nearby beams, shelving, or tools—creating sudden hazards and damaging equipment.
   Best Practice: Scan your workspace for exposed steel or ferromagnetic objects before handling. Clear the area of loose tools and metal debris.
3. Work On A Non-Metal Surface
   Why It Matters: Metal tables can attract magnets unexpectedly, causing uncontrolled movement or injury.
   Best Practice: Use a sturdy, non-metal surface—wood, polymer, or aluminum work best. Avoid steel benches or trays.
4. Use Non-Ferromagnetic Materials For Storage And Surfaces
   Why It Matters: Neodymium magnets are not attracted to aluminum or 316 stainless steel, reducing snap risk and improving control.
   Best Practice: Use aluminum or 316 stainless shelving, bins, or work surfaces. Avoid carbon steel or magnetic stainless grades.
5. Avoid Direct Contact With Other Magnets Or Ferromagnetic Objects
   Why It Matters: Magnets can snap together forcefully, causing injury, chipped surfaces, or shattered units.
   Best Practice: Keep magnets spaced apart and away from steel tools or surfaces. Use spacers, trays, and controlled movements.
6. Know Magnet Strength Before Handling
   Why It Matters: Larger or higher-grade magnets can exert unexpected force, even through gloves or containers.
   Best Practice: Know the grade and pull force of each magnet. For high-strength magnets, use two-person handling and extra spacing.
7. Keep Magnets Away From Pacemakers And Medical Devices
   Why It Matters: Strong magnetic fields can interfere with implanted medical devices, posing serious health risks.
   Best Practice: Maintain a safe distance from anyone with a pacemaker, insulin pump, or other electronic medical equipment. Post signage in shared workspaces.
8. Keep Magnets Away From Credit Cards And Magnetic Media
   Why It Matters: Neodymium magnets can erase or corrupt magnetic strips and data storage instantly.
   Best Practice: Maintain a safe distance from ID badges, credit cards, key cards, hard drives, and magnetic tapes. Use labeled zones for magnet handling.

Magnet Manipulation

1. Use Tools For Separation
   Why It Matters: Pulling magnets apart by hand increases risk of injury and uncontrolled movement.
   Best Practice: Use plastic wedges or wooden spacers to slide magnets apart—never pull directly. Avoid twisting or prying.
2. Emergency Separation Protocol
   Why It Matters: Improper separation attempts can cause injury or damage to surrounding equipment.
   Best Practice: If magnets collide, do not force them apart. Use approved tools and follow your site’s protocol. Alert others nearby.
3. Stack Magnets Safely
   Why It Matters: Unstable stacks can collapse or shift unexpectedly, causing injury or equipment damage.
   Best Practice: Use rigid spacers and secure stacks with non-magnetic straps or clamps. Label stack strength and handling precautions.
4. Do Not Drill Or Machine Neodymium Magnets
   Why It Matters: Neodymium magnets are brittle and can shatter violently when drilled, releasing hazardous dust and fragments.
   Best Practice: Never drill, saw, or grind neodymium magnets. Use pre-machined units or consult your supplier for custom shapes.

Storage Best Practices

1. Store In A Dry Environment
   Why It Matters: Moisture can cause corrosion, even with protective coatings—leading to surface degradation and reduced strength.
   Best Practice: Keep magnets in low-humidity areas at room temperature. Avoid basements or unsealed containers.
2. Use Silica Gel Packets To Control Humidity
   Why It Matters: Coated magnets are still vulnerable to rust, especially in fluctuating environments.
   Best Practice: Place silica gel packets inside storage containers to absorb moisture. Replace packets regularly.
3. Use Non-Magnetic Containers For Storage
   Why It Matters: Magnetic containers can cause magnets to shift, attract, or collide unexpectedly.
   Best Practice: Use plastic or wooden boxes. For small magnets, use individual compartments or foam inserts.
4. Place Spacers Between Stored Magnets
   Why It Matters: Direct contact increases risk of collision, damage, and uncontrolled attraction.
   Best Practice: Use rigid, non-magnetic spacers to keep magnets separated and stable. Label spacing requirements.
5. Label Stored Magnets Clearly
   Why It Matters: Unlabeled magnets can be mishandled, misidentified, or stored improperly.
   Best Practice: Mark containers with magnet type, strength rating, and handling precautions. Include visual warnings.
6. Designate Storage Zones
   Why It Matters: Magnets stored near electronics, magnetic media, or sensitive equipment can cause data loss, hardware damage, or interference with medical devices.
   Best Practice: Keep magnets in low-traffic areas away from magnetic media, medical devices, and unshielded electronics. Use signage and physical barriers to separate zones.
7. Post Signage And Train Personnel
   Why It Matters: New team members or visitors may not be aware of magnet risks, leading to unsafe handling or exposure.
   Best Practice: Post clear signage in magnet handling zones and ensure all personnel receive basic magnet safety training. Include visual warnings and emergency procedures.
8. Inspect Magnets Before Use
   Why It Matters: Cracked or chipped magnets can break under stress, creating sharp fragments and unpredictable behavior.
   Best Practice: Visually inspect magnets before handling. Remove damaged units from circulation and follow disposal protocol. Document inspections for high-strength magnets.

Transport & Disposal

1. Use Non-Magnetic Packaging For Transport
   Why It Matters: Magnets can attract each other or nearby objects during transit, causing damage or injury.
   Best Practice: Use sturdy, non-magnetic materials and spacers to isolate magnets. Avoid steel containers or metal-lined boxes.
2. Secure Magnets During Transit
   Why It Matters: Loose magnets can shift, collide, or breach packaging—especially in air freight or vibration-prone environments.
   Best Practice: Anchor magnets with foam inserts, mechanical restraints, or magnetic shielding enclosures. Label packages with “Magnetized Material” if required by carrier regulations.
3. Comply with Shipping Regulations
   Why It Matters: Strong magnets may be classified as hazardous under IATA, DOT, or carrier-specific rules. Non-compliance can result in fines or rejected shipments.
   Best Practice: Measure field strength at package surface. If it exceeds regulatory thresholds, use shielding or reclassify shipment. Include MSDS or technical datasheets if required.
4. Disposal of Damaged or Degraded Magnets
   Why It Matters: Broken magnets can splinter, oxidize, or retain residual magnetism—posing risks to personnel and equipment.
   Best Practice: Dispose of magnets through certified e-waste or metal recycling channels. Avoid landfill disposal. For rare-earth magnets, consider reclaim programs.
5. Environmental Considerations
   Why It Matters: Some magnets contain heavy metals or rare-earth elements that can leach into soil or water if improperly discarded.
   Best Practice: Follow local hazardous waste protocols. Document disposal for compliance audits. Use sealed containers for temporary storage before pickup.