Working Safely with Pallets - Basic Steps(1)

Working Safely with Pallets - Basic Steps

Never use pallets as a man lift. Only use approved, engineered lift platforms for this purpose, after having received and signed off on necessary training.

A pallet should never be used as a man lift.Pallets may be designed to hold 2800 lbs or more, but this is for loads uniformly distributed, not for very localized loads such as the feet of a worker.

Never stand empty pallets on end. Empty pallets standing on end are unstable and can cause injury if they tip and land on a leg or foot.

Use personal protective equipment when handling pallets. When handling pallets, the use of gloves is advised, as well as safety shoes to prevent injury if a pallet is dropped on a foot. Hearing protection may be prudent if pallets are being dropped. Some facilities mandate a soft landing when placing pallets on the floor to avoid damaging noise.

Do not use a damaged pallet, or one not rated for the task. If pallets are damaged, inappropriate for the job, or if you are not sure, they should be removed from the workplace.

Clean up pallet debris on an ongoing basis. Broken pallet boards can cause slip and trip hazards, as well as cause instability for material handling equipment.

Debris can also result in damage to material handling equipment wheels.