124 Pallet Handling Safety
Glossary
A
- Anchoring. Securing pallets or their loads to prevent movement during transport or storage, often using straps, bolts, or clamps for enhanced stability.
B
- Balance. Proper distribution of weight on a pallet or forklift to prevent tipping, ensuring stability during transport and stacking.
C
- Capacity. The maximum weight a pallet, forklift, or rack system can safely support without failure. Overloading beyond capacity poses significant safety risks.
D
- Damage Inspection. The process of checking pallets, equipment, and loads for cracks, splinters, or other defects that could lead to failure or injury during use.
E
- Ergonomics. The study and application of designing workplace tools, tasks, and environments to minimize physical strain, injuries, and fatigue. In pallet handling, ergonomics involves using proper lifting techniques, adjusting workstations to reduce bending or twisting, and providing equipment like pallet jacks or forklifts to reduce manual effort. Implementing ergonomic practices improves worker safety and efficiency.
F
- Forklift Components. Essential parts of a forklift that enable safe and effective pallet handling. These include the mast (vertical support structure that raises and lowers loads), forks (horizontal prongs that lift pallets), carriage (platform connecting the forks to the mast), counterweight (balances the forklift's load), lift cylinder (provides hydraulic power to raise loads), and operator controls (steering, acceleration, and lifting mechanisms). Proper maintenance of these components is critical for forklift safety and functionality.
- Forklift Types. Different categories of forklifts designed for specific applications in pallet handling. Common types include:
- Counterbalance Forklifts: General-purpose forklifts with a counterweight for balance.
- Reach Trucks: Specialized for narrow aisles and high stacking in warehouses.
- Pallet Jacks: Small, manual or electric equipment for moving pallets over short distances.
- Order Pickers: Designed for lifting operators to select individual items from high shelves.
G
- Grounding. Ensuring pallets and their loads are placed securely on a level surface to prevent instability, tilting, or shifting during operations.
H
- Handling. The process of moving and managing pallets, either manually or with equipment like forklifts and pallet jacks. Proper handling involves training workers to avoid unsafe actions, using appropriate tools, and maintaining clear pathways to prevent accidents. Ensuring secure gripping points and inspecting pallets for damage before handling are also critical steps in safe pallet handling practices.
- Hazards. Risks and dangers associated with pallet usage, including:
- Physical Injuries: Cuts, splinters, or crush injuries from mishandling pallets.
- Load Instability: Tipping or collapsing loads due to improper stacking or securing.
- Forklift Incidents: Collisions, tip-overs, or improperly balanced loads.
- Environmental Factors: Wet or uneven floors increasing slip and trip risks.
I
- Inspection. A routine process to evaluate the condition of pallets, forklifts, and storage areas, ensuring compliance with safety standards and identifying risks before use.
J
- Jacking. The act of lifting pallets manually or mechanically using tools like pallet jacks to prepare them for movement or storage.
K
- Knots. Natural defects in wooden pallets that can weaken their structure. Pallets with excessive or poorly placed knots should be avoided for heavy loads.
L
- Lifting. The act of raising pallets manually or with mechanical aids. Manual lifting requires techniques like bending at the knees, keeping the back straight, and avoiding twisting to prevent injuries. For mechanical lifting, using forklifts or pallet jacks with proper load balancing and secure attachment is critical to safety. Overloading lifting equipment or improper use can lead to accidents and equipment damage.
M
- Maintenance. The regular upkeep of pallets, forklifts, and equipment to ensure functionality and compliance with safety standards, preventing accidents or failures.
N
- Nesting. A stacking method where pallets are designed to fit into one another to save space during storage or transport when not in use.
O
- Overhang. A condition where the load exceeds the edges of the pallet, increasing the risk of instability, tipping, or product damage during handling.
P
- Pallet Safety. A set of practices aimed at ensuring the safe use, movement, and storage of pallets. Key aspects include:
- Inspecting pallets for damage, such as cracks, splinters, or loose boards.
- Avoiding overloading pallets beyond their weight capacity.
- Ensuring proper stacking techniques to prevent load shifting.
- Providing employee training on safe handling and forklift operation.
- Pallet Types. Various designs and materials used to construct pallets, each suited to specific applications. Common pallet types include:
- Wooden Pallets: The most widely used type, known for durability and cost-effectiveness, but prone to splinters and requiring maintenance.
- Plastic Pallets: Lightweight, resistant to moisture and chemicals, and ideal for hygienic environments like food and pharmaceuticals.
- Metal Pallets: Strong and durable, used for heavy loads or in environments requiring fire resistance.
- Corrugated Paper Pallets: Lightweight and eco-friendly, designed for single-use shipping in some industries.
- Custom Pallets: Tailored to specific dimensions or applications, such as handling unique machinery or parts.
Q
- Quality Control. The process of ensuring pallets and loads meet safety and operational standards before use, reducing risks during transportation and storage.
R
- Rack Safety. Measures to ensure pallet racks are used and maintained properly, including load limits, secure stacking, and regular inspections to prevent collapse.
S
- Securing. The process of stabilizing loads on pallets to prevent movement during handling or transportation. Common methods include:
- Shrink Wrapping: Using plastic film to tightly wrap loads.
- Strapping: Applying bands around the load for additional stability.
- Load Anchoring: Attaching the pallet securely to transport vehicles.
- Stacking. The organized arrangement of pallets and their loads to maximize space and ensure stability. Best practices for stacking include:
- Placing heavier items on the bottom for stability.
- Ensuring loads are evenly distributed and do not overhang.
- Using interlocking stacking methods when applicable.
- Observing height limitations to prevent toppling.
- Best Practices. Recommended methods for safe and efficient pallet handling, including:
- Regularly inspecting pallets and equipment for wear or damage.
- Training employees on safe lifting techniques and proper forklift operation.
- Maintaining clear and organized workspaces to prevent tripping hazards.
- Adhering to weight and height limits for stacking and transporting loads.
T
- Tipping Hazard. The risk of pallets or loads falling due to imbalance, improper stacking, or sudden movement during transport.
U
- Unload Area. A designated space for safely removing loads from pallets, ensuring that workers have enough room and proper tools to prevent injuries.
V
- Vibration Damage. Harm caused to palletized goods during transport due to excessive shaking or vibration, often mitigated by securing loads and using cushioning materials.
W
- Weight Distribution. The strategic placement of goods on a pallet to ensure even balance, reducing the risk of tipping and making transport safer and more efficient.
X
- X-Pattern Wrapping. A method of securing pallet loads by wrapping them diagonally to improve stability and prevent shifting during handling and transport.
Y
- Yield Strength. The maximum stress a material, such as a pallet or its components, can withstand before permanent deformation occurs. Understanding yield strength is critical for safe operations.