Keeping pallets secure and safe is a vital role in all industries, whether it is through the use of pallet wrap or strapping, each has their benefit. The securing of a load should be a primary concern for all road users, particularly when transporting a significant volume of goods. It is not unknown to see pallets collapse onto roads or in warehouses causing danger to others. Securing loads is key to ensure they remain on vehicles whilst on the road and to ensure that they do not present hazardous when loading, travelling and unloading.
Wrapping pallets by hand is a very common warehouse operation and unfortunately, so are the health and safety issues that come with it. Many high volume operations will use automatic pallet wrap machines, in which they can ensure consistent wrapping, however when faced with having to wrap pallets by hand, companies do not often realise the health and safety issues involved.
Wrapping loads by hand causes an array of issues:
– Traditional hand pallet wrapping is the cause of poor body mechanics
– Walking backwards increases the risk of a trip hazard
– Badly wrapped pallets will result in pallets collapsing during transit or on an operator
– Bending whilst stretching the film puts 50% more stress through the back
Even though still common, these hazards can easily be reduced with the use of correct equipment and training. Kite’s 5×5 pallet wrap hand dispenser system is the ideal solution, designed to improve efficiency and comfort of wrapping, it requires no bending or stretching and encourages the operator to walk forward, improving wrapping speed and reducing fatigue. Ensuring pallets are uniformly wrapped and less film is wasted, it applies hand stretch film around pallets just like a machine.
Kite’s 5×5 consistently wraps pallets and reaches optimum level when the film is stretched – improving puncture resistance. The pre-stretch rollers provide efficiency with an average time of 1 minute to wrap a pallet. The system requires less stock and reduces storage by 60% and decreases packaging waste by up to 70%.
Strapping (often referred to as banding) is commonly used throughout industries as a key method for sealing and securing goods. Its popularity is down mainly to the versatile range of materials, tools and applications available to companies who utilise strapping as their key packaging solution. Employed for bundling items together for easier handling, attaching items to pallets and crates, reinforcing cartons and boxes or fastening goods together; strapping in all its forms is increasing in popularity.
In order to maintain the integrity of a load as it travels through the supply chain or warehouse, it is key to use the appropriate strapping. Securing and stabilising loads (commonly pallets of heavy items) while in transit, ensures pallets don’t de-stabilise, products don’t get damaged and health and safety problems are avoided.
KITE PACKAGING
Tel: 02476 420065
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