Handling and Moving Loaded Pallets
Handling loaded pallets is a routine task in many workplaces, yet it poses significant safety risks if not performed correctly.
Forklift Accident
These risks not only jeopardize worker safety but can also lead to decreased productivity and increased costs from injuries and damaged goods. Below are some of the most common hazards associated with loaded pallet handling and examples of the accidents that might occur.
- Pallet Damage: Using damaged pallets to move products can lead to instability, falling loads, and injuries to others.
- Forklift Incidents: Improper use of forklifts to move pallets can result in instability, tipping, collisions, or dropped loads.
- Pinching or Crushing Injuries: Workers handling pallets may pinch fingers or crush feet while moving them.
- Examples:
- A forklift operator picks up a cracked pallet, causing the load to collapse and endanger nearby workers.
- A forklift operator moves a pallet without ensuring the load is secure, leading to a dropped item that injures a coworker.
- A worker's foot is crushed when a coworker accidentally drops a pallet they are carrying together.
Real-life Scenario
Forklift Tips Over Due to Unstable Load
In a bustling warehouse, a forklift operator was tasked with moving a pallet of stacked boxes to a designated area. The operator noticed that the load was slightly uneven but decided to proceed without properly stabilizing it. As the forklift moved across the floor, the uneven load shifted, causing the forklift to tip over. This resulted in the following outcomes:
- Injury Risk: The operator narrowly avoided being pinned but sustained minor injuries from the fall.
- Property Damage: Several boxes fell, damaging the products inside and creating additional cleanup tasks.
- Safety Violation: The accident revealed that the load had not been inspected for stability before transportation.
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1-5. What is one major safety risk of using a damaged pallet to move products?
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