- In the warehouse business, inventory damage can significantly affect your bottom line. Apart from monetary losses, you also lose the credibility and trust of your clients. Regaining your clients' confidence takes time and effort.
The best approach would be to identify the causes of pallet damage and create a workable strategy to minimize damage while storing goods in a warehouse.
Choose the right pallet
Pallets are the backbone of every warehouse, helping protect products during storage and shipment. Taking specific measures when choosing one for your warehouse can go a long way.
For example, the product's weight and individual characteristics affect the choice of the pallet.
Instead of picking a one-size-fits-all pallet, choose one in which the product fits correctly on the pallet.
The right pallet for your product would be
1. Neither too big nor too small for the product.
2. Sturdy enough to hold the weight of the product.
3. Custom-made for particular goods to meet the requirements.
4. Consider the material make of the pallet. Several are available in the market, from wire mesh, plastic, pressboard, aluminium, and corrugated cardboard. Select the right one for the product.
Arrange pallets correctly
Even after making the right choice, pallets can get damaged if placed incorrectly.
An overlapping brick pattern is an excellent way to stack goods.
You should rotate the boxes in every layer to prevent them from toppling.
When storing the pallets,
1. Place the heaviest items at the bottom and lightweight items on top.
2. Goods do not cross the edge of the pallet
3. Shrink-wrap the stacked boxes to secure and make them behave as one unit.
Use the proper equipment to move pallets
When moving pallets in a warehouse and loading them onto racking units, use the correct equipment to prevent them from falling and colliding, damaging the pallets and contents inside.
Proper forklifts or pallet jacks can protect pallets from damage.
When fork lifting,
1. Take care to slow down the speed before pallets are entered
2. Ensure correct placement of fork as misaligned fork tips can damage pallet blocks.
3. Keep forks horizontal when lifting the pallets.
4. Avoid hitting the stringers when placing the pallet.
5. Avoid short forking. The forklift should always be entirely within the pallet before lifting.
6. Otherwise, it can result in uneven weight distribution that can cause slipping and damage.
Optimize aisles and pathways
Unlike earlier times, forklifts need much smaller space to operate safely. There should be sufficient space for forklifts to navigate.
Avoid clutter so there are no unintentional accidents that result in pallet damage.
Mark pathways so the operators understand direction.
Improve handling practices
Some pallets get damaged due to the employees' poor handling of the shipment. Lack of proper training in pallet handling, work pressure, and poor judgment can lead to improper handling.
Tips to improve handling practices include -
1. Storing the pallets flat so they do not fall over.
2. Taking care not to throw, drop or step on the pallets
3. Maintaining proper speed when moving around the pallets in the warehouses.
Weatherproof the warehouse
Extreme hot or cold conditions can damage the pallet and its contents.
Implement all precautionary measures such as HVAC systems, exterior insulation, proper ventilation, and weatherproof paints to protect the pallets from humidity, moisture, and extreme heat.
Perform regular inspections
Ensure the pallets are in good condition by inspecting them occasionally. Sometimes stress fractures, and loose boards, that go unnoticed in the beginning can damage the contents later on.
If you use recycled pallets, ensure they come from a reputable source.
Providing appropriate labelling on the pallets regarding the amount of weight they can withstand, whether it is suitable for storing fragile contents, and the possible hazards associated with the stored content gives a better understanding to the operator handling the pallet.
In every warehouse, there is scope for improvement. Optimizing the various processes through proper handling practices, training, and supervision can minimize pallet damage.