①, correct use of pallet space
1. The tines should be easily and evenly inserted into the pallet, without contacting any part of the pallet before lifting the load.
2. When the spacing is improper, the fork tines may hit the stringer, causing damage and impairing the performance of the pallet. Ensuring that the tines do not interfere with the middle or outer pallet support will make your pallet last longer.
3. Using pallets with sloped stringers can also reduce this problem as it helps guide the tines into the pallet.
② Spread out the tines before lifting
1. Before lifting the pallet, the teeth of the forklift should be placed as far apart as possible to spread the load.
2. If the forklift has the ability to automatically adjust the fork tine spacing (such as distance adjustment forks), the fork tines can be deployed after entering the pallet.
3. If the tooth spacing has to be done manually, it should be spread before entering the pallet. Proper spacing makes the pallet and load more stable and reduces stress on the pallet.
③. Use high-visibility colored tines
1. Shading the tops and tips of the tines helps the forklift driver see them better through the pallet.
2. This is useful from a safety point of view, not only because the driver will pay more attention to the reach of the teeth, but also because the teeth will be more visible to people around the forklift.
3. Also, if damage occurs, the paint may rub against the pallet or product and help identify what caused the damage. It would be much easier to identify the forklift and the operator involved if a different color was used for each forklift.
④, Stack pallets evenly
1. Pallets should be stacked evenly. Just as it is imperative to ensure that the weight of the product is properly distributed on the pallet, it is also important to ensure that the pallets are square and lined up when stacking.
2. Doing this will prevent uneven weight on certain parts of the tray such as corners and lead plates.
3. Centralized and square pallet stacks also prevent pallets from tilting and falling, which is a major safety hazard.
⑤. Organize the warehouse
1. This method is not as quick and easy as the others, but can be very effective in certain warehouse layouts.
2. The larger the open space in the warehouse, the less things the forklift can touch. The risk of pallet damage is also managed by reducing the likelihood of jolts and impacts.
3. Also, the floor should be clean and free of debris. Forklifts wobble and bounce as they run over wood chips and other debris. Not only does this expose your driver to potential risk, but it also subjects the pallet to sudden stress as it bounces on the tines. Bouncing also puts the pallet and its products at risk of falling, which could result in injury to workers.
