VHS English Version Product Number: 1009GEVHS
DVD English Version Product Number: 1009GEDVD
VHS Spanish Version Product Number: 1009GSVHS
DVD Spanish Version Product Number: 1009GSDVD
Length of Video(in Minutes): 9
Publisher: Digital-2000, Inc.
Description: Demonstrates proper method of handling wood pallets by warehouse persons. Includes proper stacking, storage, safe lifting, and more.
Excerpt: Regardless of your job in a warehouse environment you’regoing to be using and handling wooden, plastic, or metal pallets. Pallets arevery useful in material handling because they allow us to stack and movematerial safely and quickly. Pallets are very common and used in so manydifferent places we often tend to forget that pallet safety is a part of thesafety program.
To help you become more familiar with pallet safety let’sreview the basics because many people all over the world experience injuriesfrom mishandling and misusing pallets. Wooden pallets are the most common sowe’ll use wooden pallets as our examples in this training program. Pallets comein different sizes. Depending on the industry the most common size is 48 inchesby 40 inch four-way pallet, which is also known as the GMA pallet. On a 48 inchby 40 inch pallet both forklifts and pallet jacks may pick up the pallet fromthe 40 inch side, however only forklifts should be used to pick up this sizepallet from the 48 inch side. As you can see pallets have differentmeasurements, specifications, stringers, and different weight capacities, andif you mishandle, or misuse, or overload pallets you’re creating a potentialinjury. Rarely do equipment handlers pay attention to the specifications ofpallets, however each size and construction of the pallet has different loadand weight ranges, and most be used according only to your company’s rules andregulations. If you’re not sure about a pallet’s specifications and load limitsask your supervisor. The size of the pallet can also affect the forklift orother material handling equipment. Let’s say you have a 48 inch by 48 inchpallet. The load center of an evenly stacked load is 24 inches. The load centeris measured from the center of the load to the vertical face of the forks. Thisload center is extremely important because the load center directly affects thelifting capacity of the forklift. If the forklift’s maximum capacity load limitis 5,000 pounds when lifting a 24 inch load center, if you extend the loadcenter to say 30 inches this forklift cannot safely lift the same 5,000 pounds.A 60 inch pallet evenly loaded would have a load center of 30 inches, whichgreatly reduces the safe lifting capacity of the forklift. You don’t have toremember all this, but you must be aware that different sized pallets do havean affect on the safe lifting capacity of lift equipment.
Right now let’s look at some basics when handling and usingpallets. Certainly each company has specific rules and standards for handlingpallets, however the information provided here can give you the basics of pallethandling, and add to your knowledge and safety awareness to help prevent palletinjuries. The first rule of handling pallets is always wear appropriate glovesto help prevent hand injuries. Before you use a pallet check it to be sure itcan be safely stored in a rack with a heavy load. It should be constructed ofhard wood, be in good condition, with top and bottom boards in place. Boardsshould be the proper thickness, at least five eights of an inch and solid.Boards should not be cracked or have any pieces missing. Stringers as shownhere must be in good repair, and if they’re damaged they should be properlyrepaired with plugs or mending plates. There must be no protruding nails orslivers of wood on the pallet. This may look like a lot to inspect, however, ifyou gain experience a quick glance will determine if a pallet is in safecondition. If you determine that a pallet is unsafe to use take it out ofservice until it can be repaired. When moving pallets across the floor, standit up on its edge and slide it, pulling it from the end and lay it down. Don’tlift and carry pallets as they weigh approximately 65 pounds and are quiteawkward to carry. Do not throw pallets. Several bad things can happen when youthrow pallets. Obviously back, and ligament injuries can occur, and the palletscan be damaged. Do not throw pallets. Do not store pallets on its edge or end.So many injuries are caused by pallets falling so don’t store pallets on edgesor ends. Stack them properly. When positioning a pallet on the floor don’t dropit or throw it because it can be damaged. A damaged pallet can break when aheavy load is put on the pallet, and can be quite dangerous especially if adamaged pallet is stored on a rack. Don’t walk on pallets. Walk around palletsbecause the chances of slips, trips, and falls increases on a pallet. Boardscan break. Your feet can slip between the openings and other hazards. Don’twalk on pallets.