Posted By Richard Hello all Does anyone have safe practices or procedures on the De-stuffing/unloading of stock from 20ft/40ft containers? Thanx all.

Posted By Ken Urquhart Richard: Have a look at the undernoted link: www.ukpandi.com/lp0010/Suppl.html#a All I did was enter a phrase related to Container handling and loading and stuffing in a search engine and hit enter and got the above. I unfortunately don't have the time to explore any more of the several hundred references that the search brought up but would suggest that you try a search yourself. Also look at the Shipping Industry and the Logistics and Transportation industries. I am sure that they have International Trade Bodies who deliberate on such issues and who have within there spheres of discussion, Health, Safety and Environmental topics. I seem to recall that they also produce/contribute to Guidance publications and Pracgtice standards. Try also British Standards, there must be some Standards relating to "Containers" although whether or not they deal in part or specifically with stuffing and de-stuffing I know not. With Containers remember also that those who pack/stuff them may have little understanding of some aspects of load/cargo safety/stability in the broadest sense. There may also be a total lack of understanding of Environmental and Chemical/product mix acceptable within a container. It depends where your Container and it's cargo originate and what controls/standards apply in that country/region/buisiness. Try contact also with the UK's prime ports for container handling amongst which are Felixstowe, Southampton, Liverpool, Hull,Grangemouth etc., There must also be colleague Professionals, members of IOSH who are employed in The Shipping, Ports and Freight forwrding/Logistics businesses who read these pages, a plea to them might help. Finally have you searched/approached the HSE and the Unions that particularly deal with Seafarers and Transport/Logistics industries/employment fields. The TUC website might be of help to you, some of the Trades Unions sites have excellent Links and cross references to great sources of information. Try: www.tuc.org.uk/ www.tgwu.org.uk/home.htm Hope that this is of help. Regards. ken Urquhart