June 28, 2023
No one wants to get hurt on the job. Aside from the obvious (getting hurt hurts!), workplace injuries are an administrative drag. Filling out Worker’s Comp and OSHA paperwork, rewriting SOPs and running additional compliance reporting can add further “insult to injury.” That’s why it’s on all of us to follow pallet safety guidelines and prevent workplace accidents.
Pallet stacking can be dangerous – broken pallets, too-tall stacks and unsafe lifting all present opportunities for injury. Fortunately, there are easy ways to reduce the risk of harm and avoid that dreaded stack of paperwork. Stacking pallets correctly can prevent injuries, clear your docks faster, and lower labor costs. Follow these tips to stack pallets safely and efficiently every time.
How to stack pallets safely
- Make sure your pallet stacking height is correct. When stacking CHEP pallets for CHEP LVR pickup, only stack 15 pallets high to fit in our box trucks safely. When loading pallets into a semi-truck or flatbed trailer, pallets can be safely stacked 18 high for transport. According to NFPA guideline 34.10.3.3, idle pallet stacks should not exceed 15 feet in height. Taller stacks are slower and less safe to move, requiring a forklift to make them shorter.
- Form a strong base. The bottom pallet forms the foundation for the rest of the stack. Keep everyone safe by placing pallets on a smooth, even surface, and always make sure they’re right-side-up. And never stack pallets on their side. Following OSHA guideline 1910.176(b), make certain pallets are “stacked, blocked, interlocked and limited in height so that they are stable and secure against sliding or collapse.”
- Group like pallets together. You may encounter several types of pallets every day. To ensure an even stack, keep the same pallet types together – whitewood with whitewood, blue CHEP with blue CHEP, and plastic with plastic. You can better assess your fire safety risk and increase efficiency in clearing your docks. Pallet poolers like CHEP can collect pallets faster when separated into neat, CHEP-only pallet stacks.
- Never manually stack or drag pallets. Avoid injury by using a pallet jack to reposition pallets every time. A team member should not manually stack pallets higher than six high and should not down stack from more than nine high.
- Keep pallets in designated areas away from walkways. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 15 percent of all accidental deaths in the workplace are caused by slips, trips or falls. Keep everyone safe by maintaining clear walkways free of pallets or debris.
Safe pallet stacking guidelines should be included in your facility safety plan. For more tips on safe pallet stacking, visit OSHA Standards, NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) or contact your CHEP representative today.
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