Hi,

I am currently trying to write a SSOW for unloading a trailer in a yard using a hand pallet truck but i'm struggling to make sure i include everything. Does anyone have one i could kindly look at to check i've not missed anything? Or any general tips of things to cover would be welcomed.

Our role is to arrive with the goods on a trailer and assist the customer and their counterbalance operator in offloading the goods. We don't operate the counterbalance, just use a pallet truck to move the goods to the edge of the trailer for the counterbalance to remove.

We can't change the way unloading takes place as we operate refridgerated trailers that can only be unloaded from the rear and many of our customers don't have docks to reverse up to. At least all the stock is palletised.

Thanks,

Sarah

1. All trailers have slide out steps to access the trailer bed, no tail lifts.

2. Customer manual pallet truck. I know this isn't ideal but we can't carry them with us due to space constraints.

3. All stock is shrink wrapped on pallet. Usually keeps the stock within the confines of the pallet.

4. Yes they have metal floors. I have already included a line about not walking too fast as manual pallet trucks don't have brakes!

Like the idea of an exclusion zone. The SSOW is for the driver so this is definitely a manageable control they can implement.

Thanks

I'd strongly advise not lifting a Manual Pallet Truck (MPT) directly on the FLT forks, they are not designed for this and accidents do happen when the MPT slides off etc.

If must do the task this way then palletise (and band / shrink wrap) the MPT first.

If the people you deliver to are fairly regular you could request all the relevant service / inspection documentation regarding the MPT(s) or at least get proof they have.

Ensure your employees are trained in the use of the MPT (they can be stopped in an emergency, depress the handle and the load will drop to the floor) and also in conducting pre-use checks (they shouldn't rely on the client to have done these!).

Manual handling training should also be considered and should undertake a pull-push assessment to ensure that the load, surface to be pushed / pulled over and MPT will not create an intolerable risk.