The European Safe Logistics Association – EUMOS – sets high standards when it comes to the safe transit of goods. We’re proud of our longstanding EUMOS accreditation and we share their commitment to ensuring the safety of all road users, as well as that of our customers and the goods they transport. It’s why we created our Intelligent Load Stability system – which optimises pallet safety and stability as well as significantly reducing cost and plastic waste. We’re proud that the range of equipment and products we recommend to our customers all meet or exceed EUMOS’s exacting standards.
We’re also keen to share the knowledge and expertise we’ve built over the years, to help customers avoid load instability, and any accidents that might ensue. We’ve asked our experts to compile a list of dos and don’ts to help you make 2021 your safest year yet. Let’s start as we mean to go on!
Ways to positively Improve Safety in Transit and Unloading
- Ensure the integrity and stability of your pallet. At whatever point in their lifecycle you’re handling or dispatching goods, the quality of pallet-wrapping is your responsibility. Poor initial wrapping and extended storage periods might have compromised the film and the stability of the pallet, so check for film discolouration and dust, or any tearing or slack. (We recommend Extremus nano-tech film, which won’t lose its integrity over time and when optimised as part of our Intelligent Load Stability system can deliver the ultimate in stability). “When pallets go over in one of our warehouses they can cause stoppages costing thousands of pounds in lost hours and hassle, as well as being dangerous for our team. Hazel 4D are the leaders in pallet wrapping because their knowledge of film and machinery is the best in the business. When working with them, even the trickiest of loads stay completely stable and safe.” Warehouse operative – Expect Distribution Ltd
- Load from the headboard, backwards and secure well. Of course if cargo is correctly loaded and secured, movement will be minimised, but if there is a need for a sudden stop poorly wrapped pallets can shift forwards under the strain. This in turn creates additional momentum to the vehicle and can significantly increase its stopping distance. “As a driver, there’s nothing worse than loads shifting when out on the road, even in instances requiring harsh braking I’ve found that Hazel 4D’s Intelligent Load Stability Solutions ensure that pallets wrapped using their approach stay rock solid. Meaning customer receive their goods in pristine condition every time.” Driver – Expect Distribution Ltd
- Know your stopping distances. Research carried out by Volkswagen in 2019 revealed that van stopping distances increase by over a third when a 500kg load is added to the vehicle, and that rises as loads increase. At 30mph, that adds over two metres, and at 60mph, over five metres. The same research revealed that only 17% of van drivers could correctly identify the stopping distance for 30mph*. Ensure your drivers are well-aware of the Highway Code’s stopping distances and drive accordingly.
- Ensure all logistics operatives are well-trained. Poor, or insufficient, training is often a cause of accidents in transit or production. What looks to an untrained-eye like a stable pallet and a well packed vehicle can, in practice, prove dangerous and even fatal. We deliver comprehensive training to operatives using the pallet wrapping machines and systems we install to ensure they get the best out of our solutions, and optimise safety and stability
- Ask us for a free Intelligent Load Stability consultation. Our team of experts can carry out comprehensive tests to measure the stability and effectiveness of your pallet-wrapping and make recommendations that will optimise your operation, reduce or eliminate damages and returns, and cut cost and plastic waste.
Things to Avoid in Preparing, Transporting and Unloading to Cut Accidents
- Don’t forget about the unloading process. As the dispatcher, you’re still responsible for stability once cargo arrives at its destination and is unloaded and stored, and you can face legal consequences if anything fails (and it’s worth noting that even after Brexit this still applies to cargo travelling from the UK into Europe). Poor wrapping and loading, and movement in transit is not only going to cause damages and returns, but if your customer deems a pallet unsafe to load and store, it could also be returned. We asked a customer how much a returned pallet cost them on average and they said “ we could face a £650 charge and a haulage fee each way of £300 to £576”. Common issues include loose tail ends, which can be a hazard on conveyor belts, in high storage and to forklift drivers. “Badly wrapped pallets are a menace on a forklift – but getting them rewrapped slows things right down. Extremus film, properly used, puts a stop to loose tail ends and loads that aren’t locked to their pallets – which means I can get on and do my job without worrying.” Forklift Driver
- Don’t compromise. Cutting corners, or opting for cheaper wrap or machinery can be a false economy. So many of the problems we see, like pallet-instability, loose tail ends, damages and returns, the high costs of wrapping then re-wrapping, not to mention unhappy customers and loss of reputation – can be vastly improved by simple measures. We know from long experience that usinghigher quality film, better machines, optimised equipment and improved processes can all quickly pay for themselves by significantly reducing the cost per pallet wrapped whilst ensuring safer loads.
- Don’t assume there’s nothing you can do to improve. We’ll always find a way! It might be that you’re achieving load stability, but it’s taking more material or protective packaging than necessary – which might be leading to unnecessary Packaging Returns Notes (PRNs), time and cost. Or you might have already reduced your damages and returns through improvements – but could you do even more?
- Don’t forget you can wrap it once and wrap it well with our Intelligent Load Stability system. All it takes is a call and we’ll carry out an assessment then recommend a system of materials, machines and training to ensure that you do the job well, once, and deliver optimised safety and stability. “Unstable pallets with loose tail ends can cause all sorts of nasty accidents, and no end of trouble. I’d recommend Hazel 4D’s ILS solutions to anyone who, like me, needs to be confident that all their pallets will stay safe and stable throughout loading, transit and storage.” Health and Safety Lead
