A 5-step guide to managing the use of pallets

Pallets are used to assemble, store and handle goods, transporting them to various locations. Used pallets should be considered carefully to prevent any possible injuries.  Wooden pallets are heavy, and will need to be handled with care so that they can be reused for other products.  There are some measures that you can take to make sure that you load the pallets correctly, and use them in the right way.

Here are 5 steps to help you manage your pallets safely:

1.      Suitability

Pallets are designed for moving goods and can hold fairly heavy weights, depending on what type of pallet that it being used.  It is important to load a small amount on at a time, to prevent the pallet from collapsing or breaking.

2.       Loading

Items should be packaged correctly to prevent them from breaking when being handled on the pallet.  A special platform should be used to load the items onto the pallet, and further items should be added gradually.

3.       Height Requirements

The height should generally not be bigger than the actual base dimension of the pallet. Items should be carefully assessed and measured, to ensure that they will be safe when loading onto the pallet.  This way the goods can be safely transported.

4.       Pallet Use and Maintenance

When you pick a pallet that you wish to use, double check that it is not damaged in any way. Split or stained pallets could cause damage to other products, making it a costly error.  Pallets should be carefully examined upon the delivery of any items.  If any pallets require repair they should be sent back to the manufacturer or the pallet owner.

5.       Choosing A Pallet

Wooden pallets should be chosen carefully.  They are often used many times, so they need to remain in the best possible condition. It is important to look after your own safety, and make sure that you have the right equipment with you when using the pallets. 

Pallets are most commonly manufactured as ‘two way entry’ pallets, and ‘four way entry’ pallets.  Nicklin provide pallets to suit your needs, so that your goods can be handled and transported in the best way possible.  To find out more, please visit the Nicklin website at nicklin.com.