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10th May 2019
Question: What are some of the defects that I should look out for to ensure my pallets are safe for normal forklift operations?
Answer: Pallets are a very important component of warehouse operations that involve the use of forklifts. However, like any other warehouse equipment, if they are not properly handled they can quickly become a safety concern. Some of the common defects that can help you identify pallets that are not fit for use are loose boards, presence of protruding nails and broken boards. Lets us take a look at them in-depth.
Loose Pallet Boards.
The boards that make up the pallet are usually meant to give it more stability. Therefore if one of the boards on the pallet is loose then the stability of the pallet itself is brought into question. Loose boards are dangerous since they can lead to loads being unstable and eventually falling on pedestrians. One of the causes of this is usually nails that are loose. To fix this problem you have to hammer back the nails in order for the loose board to get back in place.
Broken Pallet Boards
One other thing that you should look out for when you are handling pallets is the presence of broken boards. Broken boards on pallets are very dangerous since they produce splints that can be sharp enough to cut those handling the pallets. They are also a major source of instability that can lead to loads falling off since the broken pallet has a weakened structure. Once you notice such a board on a pallet the safe thing to do is to remove it from service.
Dangerously Protruding Nails.
In most cases when a pallet is improperly handled especially over a long period of time its nails become loose. Once the nails holding the boards are loose its only a matter of time before they start protruding. This can be a source of cuts for those who are tasked with handling the pallets. When you notice the nails are becoming loose on a pallet you need to ensure they are taken for maintenance.
Therefore every time before you use any pallet for your daily operations you need to make sure that they do not have any of these defects. Ensure the pallet boards are not loose, they are not broken and there are no protruding nails. However, since some of these defects are preventable make sure your workers involved in the day to day handling of the pallets are well-trained to properly handle pallets.
Forklift Tire Company is one of the largest suppliers of forklift tires in the USA. We are happy to help you find the right tires for your forklift truck. Visit our online store here for great discounts or email us at sales@forklifttire.com, our customer service team is ready to assist you.