Pallet stacks carry weight in thousands of pounds, so it is crucial to stack them properly. Unsafe forklift use, falling objects, or uneven stacking can be devastating. It can damage the pallet or the products or even injure employees.
Reasons to stack pallets properly
- Safety for employees and products is the most obvious reason for optimally stacking pallets.
- Proper pallet stacking increases productivity as well as reduced overhead spending.
- Proper safety procedures allow for trimming costs and building an efficient work ambiance.
Use proper pallet handling tools
The engineers at Top Industries have designed more than 50 different models of – pallet inverter, pallet tipper, pallet changer, and pallet transfer system. Clients can choose from stand-alone, portable, semi-automatic, and fully automatic pallet exchangers. The uses of pallet inverters are boundless.
- Transfer to and from the facility to slip sheets or shipping pallets.
- Turn inventory for freshness.
- Replace damaged product boxes or sacks at the load’s bottom section.
- Replace damaged pallets because they lack stability and durability, which can be hazardous and costly.
Forklifts and pallet jacks are also crucial for stacking pallets. The operators must be well-trained in operating pallet handlings tools like forklifts, pallet jacks, and pallet inverters. They learn how to safely use rough terrain forklifts, pallet tippers, and even advanced pallet handling systems.
Tips to stack pallets correctly for storage and transit
Stacking technique
- While stacking uniform pallet sizes, even distribution is relevant. An evenly stacked pallet reduces the possibility of stacks slipping and even saves space. Evenly stacked pallets mean there is no edge over-hanging. It can imbalance the loaded pallets, which can result in a dangerous fall of the forklift or shifting while in transit.
- While stacking different pallet sizes, the heaviest pallet has to be positioned at the bottom. The heaviest object at the bottom creates a low gravity center offering stability to the pallet stack. It prevents the items from shifting, during transportation.
Comply with weight & height limitations
Stacking products very high is not sensible. It increases the falling risk that can cause product damage or injure employees. Consider the pallet storage system space at the top and avoid stacking very high. A loaded pallet means the staff is handling a lot of weight.
The operators must be familiar with the pallet handling equipment they are using. Ignoring this is hazardous to not just the operator, but even their colleagues working close by. Even during transit, the pallets must never be stacked too high because they can shift and fall. It is essential to strap the products and then stretch wrap to keep pallets as steady as possible during shipment.
The operators must even know the amount of weight a pallet can handle. Over-stacking pallets become hard for forklifts or inverters to handle and this can damage the equipment.
Stacking pallets correctly will help to prevent injuries, reduce labor costs, and clear docks faster. Buy pallet exchangers from Top Industries because they offer products that exceed your expectations. Follow on LinkedIn!
