Category: Failure
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In-house pallet control has a high turnover rate, with staff members often not staying in the role for extended periods of time. This could be due to the unique skillset required for the complex, sometimes cumbersome, and hard going position. This can impact your business negatively in several ways and it is important to consider this fact when choosing how to best manage your pallet account. 

One factor that’s often overlooked is the impact staff turnover can have on your pallet control processes. 

Pallet control is a very niche skill that requires specific knowledge. That knowledge only comes with experience. When you have pallet control skill gaps, the risks can be detrimental to your business and it can happen fast, but take months or years to fix. 

The training and experience required to become an exceptional pallet controller is not easily passed on in a quick replacement handover when there is a staff change or due to absence. 

Skill gaps in your pallet control process leads to: 

  • Recoveries not being actioned in a timely manner, incurring extra hire day costs.
  • Queries and claims from your customers remaining unactioned
  • Discrepancies on invoices being left past the date range possible to make corrections
  • Missing pallets not being spotted or recovered
  • Untrained pallet controllers often don’t even know what to look out for 
  • Gaps in software programs to complete the tasks required. 
  • Transfers not being processed with the suppliers. 

If you choose to have an in-house pallet controller it is vital to cross-train multiple employees to the same standard as your dedicated pallet controller. Keep the cross-trained staff up to date with all things in the pallet management space so if the moment strikes, they are able to step in and competently continue to best manage your pallet account. Ensure they have full knowledge of your processes, software and ongoing issues. 

PPM is an outsourced pallet management company, wholly dedicated to pallet management and control. PPM offers their clients a security blanket in the sense you are always covered. We are a whole company dedicated to pallet control with many employees trained to the same standard and replacements are always available and able to look after your pallet accounts to the level you have come to expect. 

With 18 years in the pallet business, PPM, offers extensive staff training programs providing an excellent service you can rely on consistently, without the fear of staff turnover negatively impacting your supply chain and bottom-line. 

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Loading Dock Safety Tips: Storing, Loading and Moving Pallets

Manually moving your product onto pallets can cause unavoidable stress on the body, if you are not careful this can lead to debilitating injuries to shoulders, knees, and lower backs. These injuries can occur suddenly or gradually over time. When a safe work system is in place the risk of an accident or unnecessary wear and tear can be minimised.
Here is how to stay safe when storing, loading, and moving your pallets in the loading dock.  

Storing Pallets:

Pallets need to be stacked in flat, stable piles.
A pallet lifter is required when unloading or loading pallets above shoulder height.
Empty pallets should always be stacked vertically, pallets on their side are unstable and can cause injury if they tip over.
Stack like with like. The safest way to store pallets of different sizes is to separate them into piles that contain the same pallet’s dimensions and material. For example, stack plastic pallets with plastic pallets; wood pallets with wood pallets, etc.
Ensure stored pallets are maintained and kept in good condition.

Moving Pallets:

Always secure your load before moving it, many loads will need to be shrink-wrapped or banded to the pallet during transportation.  Only those with an operator license and appropriate training should be using the scissor lift, forklift or hand truck to move pallets.  Make sure you plan your route when moving pallets, ensuring there is a safe path of travel, with no obstacles or trip hazards in the way.  When using a forklift ensure pallets are placed squarely onto the forklift platform and avoid making sharp turns.  

Loading Pallets:

A product first needs to be deemed safe to load, this can be by hand, multiple staff or with the assistance of a mechanical aid. If a load is too heavy for you to lift without assistance, do not attempt to lift it. Ask for a coworker to help you lift or use a hand truck or forklift to transport it for you.  When loading by hand, you should prepare appropriate grip and stance, standing close to the product with your feet shoulder-width apart. Then, lower yourself down to the load by bending your knees. Once you have a firm grip on the product, lift with your legs and remember to keep the load close to your body while lifting, preventing unnecessary strain on your back. Ensure you do not twist or jerk suddenly. When loading your pallets the centre of gravity should be in the centre of the pallet, too much product on one side may cause the pallet to tip and fall over.  Never step on a pallet to place a product, instead position it on the pallet and then slide it over to the centre, ensuring the weight is evenly distributed.  For larger loads that require powerful lifting equipment, always check to see that the weight of the load does not exceed the lifting capacity of the equipment.

Other Loading Dock Safety Tips:

All pallets should be inspected when they are first delivered to your site. Take the time to look around for loose or broken boards, splinters, cracks or protruding nails.
Keep your warehouse clean. Debris on the floor can cause dangerous accidents.
Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). You should have the correct shoes or boots suited for the environment you are working in. Consider eye protection, earmuffs, or leather work gloves if necessary.

Work safety is a continuous process –

It is not enough to just adhere to these safety tips: you need to ensure that all employees receive adequate training and supervision while operating in the loading dock area. Employees who use the load shifting equipment, such as forklifts and powered pallet jacks, or work in the loading dock area should be trained in the safe operation of the machinery and understand the hazards and risks in manual handling.

It is everyone’s responsibility to take care of each other while on site. These pallet safety tips and best practices can help prevent avoidable injuries.

Other Loading Dock Safety Tips:

All pallets should be inspected when they are first delivered to your site. Take the time to look around for loose or broken boards, splinters, cracks or protruding nails.
Keep your warehouse clean. Debris on the floor can cause dangerous accidents.
Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). You should have the correct shoes or boots suited for the environment you are working in. Consider eye protection, earmuffs, or leather work gloves if necessary.

Work safety is a continuous process –

It is not enough to just adhere to these safety tips: you need to ensure that all employees receive adequate training and supervision while operating in the loading dock area. Employees who use the load shifting equipment, such as forklifts and powered pallet jacks, or work in the loading dock area should be trained in the safe operation of the machinery and understand the hazards and risks in manual handling.

It is everyone’s responsibility to take care of each other while on site. These pallet safety tips and best practices can help prevent avoidable injuries.

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