How to make pallet handling safe?
Minimising risk in the workplace is of key importance to all businesses. Ensuring your staff feel safe at work and injuries are kept to an absolute minimum, will create a more productive workforce. Likewise, creating a safer environment will enable your employees to concentrate on their work, by implementing safety practices and procedures. To make sure that staff are working safely in your warehouse, they should:
Regular pallet inspection
Accidents and hazards are easily avoidable through regular, quick and cheap inspections. Thus, damaged pallets should not be used, as they are unlikely to be able to meet the functions of a working pallet, which could lead to injury. As a result, you should not use any pallets with any faults, cracks or loose nails. This will bring higher risk levels to tasks involving pallet handling.
Wearing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE)
The majority of pallet related injuries are on hands and feet. This is heavily due to the workforce not wearing the correct PPE, which protects hands and feet alike. Protective gloves ensure protection to fingers and hands, as well as improving work rate. Most safety gloves have enhanced grip, which enables workers to perform tasks at a faster rate. Likewise, the correct protective footwear ensures your feet are safe from injury. Robust footwear will protect feet from pallets being dropped on them and from any loose nails or splinters poking out from pallets.
Implement safe pallet handling training
As with most jobs, training is of paramount importance. High-level training gives employees the best opportunity to complete their job in the most productive way, whilst remaining safe. When it comes to pallet handling, similarly to lifting any heavy items, employees should know not to lift with their back. Throwing or dropping pallets should be avoided where possible, to ensure they are not damaged.
Be aware of pallet handling details
Knowing the details and rules to follow for pallet handling is important. Confirming the weight is not too heavy, evenly distributed and flat will avoid complications. Employees should know which situations to use pallet jacks or a forklift.
Well maintained workspace
Maintaining a workplace where pallet handling comes into play is important. You can lower the risk level by sticking to good housekeeping rules. Additionally, left over debris brings the risk of trip hazards and getting in the way of jacks or forklifts.
