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Unloading lorry trailers with ride on pallet trucks?
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davidjohn#1  
#1 Posted : 09 October 2013 22:13:13(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
davidjohn#1
Our warehouse uses a number of different MHE equioment i.e. ride on pallet trucks, electric pallet trucks, FLT's etc.

I am looking for some guidance, industry standards with regards to ride on pallet trucks to acertain if they can or cant go onto the lorry trailers to take off goods, a google search and trail through HSE website has drawn a blank.

I am going to contact suppliers but wondered if anyone has any experiences. We recently had a ride on pallet truck go through the floor on a lorry trailer due to a combination of weight and a condition of the trailer floor.

Your thoughts or help is much appreciated.

Kind regards
DJ
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dennish  
#2 Posted : 10 October 2013 07:13:17(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
dennish
DJ,
I am not sure you will find anything specific that will say you can or you can't, there are quite a few of variables (floor condition, weight of equipment + load) that you have already mentioned that needs factoring in and almost a dynamic assessment, but also the operators to use their training. we only use electric pallet trucks for our loading and unloading process and we only walk them in up/down the dock leveller & in/out of trailer for manual handling assistance.
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saferay  
#3 Posted : 10 October 2013 09:52:26(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
saferay
In a former life we would only use ride-ons on rigid box wagons (checking floor conditions as we off-loaded), curtain siders were off-loaded using FLT's or pedestrian operated electric trucks (after inspecting curtains). Flat beds were only off-loaded by FLT's.

Safe_ray
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IanDakin  
#4 Posted : 10 October 2013 11:08:15(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
IanDakin
Hi David

You will need to carry out and record a risk assessment for the process.

You may want to consider the following - how you control what types of wagons are unloaded using different kit - PPT, Electric PT - on a dock leveler and set a rule for this.

What weight can the normal trailer beds safely carry and is this adequate for the MHE used.

Do you carry out inspections of trailer beds - as it is unloaded and also a sample as a control.

Do the companies delivering goods inspect the trailer beds, and can they supply their policy and some samples.

What is the opinion of your MHE supplier, do they consider the kit is suitable for the task.

What is the whole body vibration risk.

How do you control drive offs.

This is not a comprehensive list, but hopefully will start you off.

Regards
Ian
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phargreaves04  
#5 Posted : 10 October 2013 12:31:12(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
phargreaves04
This is generally not a problem. The main hazard to consider is the trailer tipping so the use of trestles may be required. Have a look at the below.

http://www.fta.co.uk/exp...ng_dock_safety_guide.pdf
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