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Manual handling of pallets: need to develop guidelines
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Posted By Nicholas Morris
A request from our safety committee- concerns about dropping them from stacks for example. I've been asked to develop some guidelines/ procedure for manual handling of pallets, but a quick internet search has yielded very little. Has anyone got anything of use please?
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Posted By David Colquhoun
At least you've been asked to do an assessment, i'm trying to look at this issue for the sole worker at our premesis who has to lift pallets and i'm getting nowhere.
I really wish i could offer some help.
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Posted By Malcolm Chambers
Try the HSE guidance notes - 'Safety in the use of pallets'
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Posted By BURNLEY F.C.
I came across this issue a couple of years ago, I spent some time in discussion with the warehouse dept' and the departments that use pallets we agreed that no stack of pallets would be brought to any department more than 10 high as this seemed a suitable height for all concerned. In the areas requiring pallets we had a blue line painted round the wall to the height of 10 pallets.
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Posted By Mark Atkinson
Hi
We also limit the height of our stacked pallets to a maximum of 10. We used to use 15 as a maximum but following a risk assessment we reduced this.
We have also assessed the best way of dropping them down from the top and from a manual handling aspect, letting them drop to the floor seems to be the safest method. Better than trying to hold them above your head.
Or better still, splash out on an automatic pallet handler that will allow the bottom pallet to be taken out using a pallet truck.
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Posted By Alan Nicholls
Hi Mark
Having worked in the transport and warehousing industry. Using Euro pallets and many other types the risk of injury by doing what you suggest can be very real. Lets just say you have a stack of 10 Blue pallets so you take the one from the top. The stack has just been delivered to your work area, its been outside in the rain for a week. So how heavy is the pallet you plan to lift down. You wear steel toecap boots, of course you do.
Better safe than sorry FLT the pallet down or if this is not possible two man lift.
Check the integrity of the pallet before use,if damaged scrap it.
Wear good quality leather gloves to protect against splinters, glass and nails.
Regards Alan N
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By MICK MEAD, CMIOSH
I have not seen a safe way of one person taking a pallet from a stack. I see this as a 2 person lift (with all participants having undergone manaual handling training).
During a recent noise survey the expert pointed out that dropping pallets onto the floor could exceed peak noise levels. Certainly I have heard staff say that the loud noise can be a distraction or cause them to be startled.
I agree with the need for gloves as a means of protecting hands against splinters, cuts etc.
Good luck,
Mick
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Posted By Nicholas Morris
Thanks to all for the useful contributions- I should be able to stitch something together from this. The one point I do have a problem with is the two person lift from the stack of pallets. Agree its the safest way to do it but not convinced I could get our operators to do it in practice (not just because they don't want to- its the way the job's structured currently)
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Posted By gary emerson
why not invest in a pallet stacker/de-stacker.This will eliminate the need to handle pallets manually. Of course you will need to justify your spend with your boss. Good luck!
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