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Posted By Bob Matthews
Hi All
I am sure you knoweledgable people out there can answer this one?
We deliver 1 ton pallets on an artic/wagon to a distribution centre. The distribution centre insists that we unload the pallets (up a slope) using pump trucks, they refuse to let our drivers use electric pallet trucks (which they have been trained on).
I have spoken to the distribution centre but they won't budge, so what would the next step be? Splitting the loads down is not an option and I an concerned about the strain/damage on the drivers backs
All the best
Bob
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Posted By Heather Aston
Bob
Just to clarify a few things.
Is this distribution centre part of your company or part of a different company?
Is their refusal to let your drivers use electric pallet lifters based on the fact that the lifters in question belong to the distribution company themselves? We would also have some isses with this as we do not normally allow other company's drivers to drive our internal transport trucks on our sites.
Would they allow you to use your own powered lifter if you had one on the lorry?
If not then I suggest you approach the person responsible for safety at the distribution centre and explain the problem. You might like to point out their obligations under HASAW S3 while you are about it. Failing thast you might have to tell them you will only deliver pallets as far as the bottom of the ramp......
Good luck
Heather
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Posted By Neil Pearson
Just to add to Heather's thoughts...is this an external or internal customer? Obviously that affects how much leverage you have with them. I can't see any clever engineering/technical answers myself, so this is about collaboration. There are joint responsibilities here, and if the centre won't play ball then you can't comply with your own duties. You certainly can't carry on as you are.
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Posted By Bob Matthews
Hi Again
This is an external Company (a customer of ours)
Regards
Bob
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Posted By Simon Ayee
If they do not want to agree a solution how about leaving tha pallets at the bottom of the slope & letting your customer move them?
Simon
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Posted By A. Fergusson
I like others agree that you need to find an agreed joint solution with your customer.
The delivery should be seen as part of a 'partnership' function. Talk to you customer and see if it not possible to get your driver trained/verified as safe to use site equipment, you need to prove to them that you staff are competent, and also responsible. Your customer needs to accept that they are responsible for anyone working on their site, be they direct employees or contractors.
If the slope causes an issue inside the trailer, consideration can be given to stepping trailer that move the load to the back with no need for drivers to pull the pallets at all, these cost but the savings are in injury to staff and potential claims.
I would suggest just using sensible discussion not legal terms or threats; the Enforcement Agencies will do that for us all when injuries occur.
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