Pallets are the most basic but crucial tools needed in a supply chain. However, they pose certain risks if you are not careful. Some injuries caused by pallets in the supply operations include sprained ankles and puncture wounds. Thus, you should know how to safely deal with pallets. Pallet safety applies to those used under loads. These precautions are also necessary when handling empty pallets. Some ways you can protect yourself when handling pallets are given below. 

Put On Protective Clothing 

Most of the injuries are caused when workers drop pallets. That leads to injuries on their feet or hands. Put on protective gloves to protect your hands. These gloves will also help you work faster. The best gloves to use are the ones with an increased palm grip.

Additionally, put on safety boots when dealing with heavy pallets. Ensure the boots are strong enough to put up with the weight of a falling heavy pallet. Robust shoes will also protect your feet from nail and splinter injuries. 

Examine the Pallets

Inspecting the pallets is necessary before you begin working on them. A simple inspection can prevent many pallet accidents. Check out for any cracks or damages. Such pallets cannot handle a full load, and you should remove them. Other potential risks are loose nails. These nails could lead to the falling of the pallet. Nails or screws protruding from the pallets could also cause injuries. 

Practise Safe Handling

All workers dealing with pallets should receive safety training for handling pallets. They should know the right posture that will prevent them from hurting their backs. Also, every employee should understand when they need to ask for assistance. Sometimes doing a job alone could increase the chances of accidents. One thing to avoid is throwing or dropping the pallets. Throwing a pallet is a hazard to someone who suddenly walks through that path. Also, throwing a pallet could weaken it when it falls. A weak pallet will likely fail and cause various injuries in the future. 

Use Plastic Pallets

Finally, if you work in a warehouse, then you know those pallet accidents can happen even when the workers receive training. Inspections also do not always prevent accidents. That is because the damage on the wood pallet was not apparent until it was used to move something heavy. Using plastic pallets will help solve these safety risks. That is because of the way these pallets were produced. They have a unibody, unlike wood pallets. They are not connected using nails. Also, their weight is lighter compared to wood pallets. That makes it easier for one person to move and stack these pallets.