Stacking, Storage and Handling Plasterboard

Within the industry it is everyone’s personal responsibility (primary contractor/company/owner) to consider all aspects necessary to create a safe work environment even if it is a chaotic building site.

GIB^® Plasterboard is a finishing product and needs to be treated as such. Before stacking plasterboard consider floor loadings as plasterboard weighs in the range of 650-800kg/m³. Stacks of 10mm board should be limited to 30 sheets on suspended floors to minimise the risk of structural damage through point loading

• Sheets may be leaned against a wall where floor storage space is unavailable.
• The maximum number of 10mm & 13mm sheets that can be stacked this way is 20. For 16mm & 19mm sheets, this number reduces to 13.
• To reduce the risk of toppling, the first sheet must be placed 150 - 180mm from the bottom plate. Refer to illustration A.
• Plasterboard must be neatly stacked on a clean flat surface not susceptible to moisture to avoid sheet distortion or damage.
• This can be achieved by stacking on a clean flat surface. 
• Sheets stacked flat on a concrete floor must be separated from the floor surface by a moisture barrier such as polythene sheet or placed on bearers. Refer to illustration B.

Preferably, plasterboard should be stored inside a building and under cover. If stored outside, it must be stacked off the ground and be fully protected from the weather. Sheets are less likely to crack or break if carried on edge rather than dragged.

Lift sheets from the stack rather than dragging them. This reduces the risk of face paper damage. Refer to demonstration below.

This process is for sheets 3.6 metres or less.  For greater than 3.6m metres it is recommended that 2 people lift GIB^<® plasterboard