PALLET SAFETY
Webster defines a pallet as a "support for freight." As a support, it has the potential to take a lot of abuse. A lot of old pallets are never discarded when they should be. They are stacked in a corner and not used except as a last resort when there are no good ones left. Many times we hear that a pallet has broken and the freight has fallen to the floor. This not only causes freight damage but can also result in equipment damage--or worse yet, in employee injury or death. Please take a moment to review the following safety tips for working around palletized loads:
*Before you use a pallet, inspect it for cracks, weaknesses and other damage. If you find damage, mark it unsafe for use until it is either fixed or thrown away. This can prevent a lot of potential problems.
*When loading a pallet, make sure the load is centered and not out of balance.
*If the pallet is holding several loose items, make sure the entire load is secured with shrink wrap or banding.
*Exercise caution when stacking several pallets high. Make sure the stack is not leaning, because of weak or broken segments, which may cause the whole pile to fall over.
*Always know the load limits of the pallets, and the pallet jack or forklift you are using. Neither the pallets nor mechanical lifting devices should ever be overloaded.
*Load limits should also established and marked on warehouse floors, balconies, mezzanines, etc. Always comply with these.
*Make sure your forklift has an overhead cage or screen to protect the driver from falling objects when items are being stacked or loaded overhead.
Remember--thinking ahead can save a lot of trouble. It is a waste of production time and effort to reload a pallet that has fallen. But, more importantly, an effective pallet safety plan can prevent injuries and save lives!
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