Styles of Pallets for Material Handling

Pallets are an essential part of your material handling activities, and there are number of considerations when choosing the style of pallet for your business.  You want to balance cost and usefulness when deciding on the type of pallet you need.  There are four basic styles to choose from. The first style is a plastic … Read more

Material Handling and Loading Dock Safety 101

Material Handling Safety Demonstrated
Material Handling Safety Demonstrated

Loading docks are busy areas for material handling, with many people going in and out. Packaging, lift trucks, pallet wrap systems, and other types of industrial equipment are often found nearby.  Because of the high-level of activity that occurs around loading docks, and the speed of which people are trying to load and unload trucks, there are a number of ways workers can be injured.  We will take a look at these situations, and the way injuries can be prevented.

The first way workers can be injured at a loading dock is when movement occurs with the weight transfer of goods during loading and unloading. This is also known as “trailer drop”, and is responsible for many chronic neck and back injuries. Depending on weight, the bed of a trailer can actually drop nearly 8 inches while goods are being loaded in or out of the truck. This movement can put significant strain on a lift truck operator. Using stabilizing restraints on the trailer which stops movement, either horizontally or vertically, can prevent this.

Another way injuries can occur is through jarring, or “dock shock”.  Forklift operators frequently experience this type of vibration as they cross over old-style dock levelers, which are placed between the floor of the warehouse and the bed of the trailer.  Purchasing a leveler that allows for a smooth path without gaps, or bumps, will significantly reduce the amount of jarring that occurs as your lift truck operator crosses it.

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Promote a Healthier Work Environment Through Cleaner Lift Trucks

Your warehouse, distribution center, or loading dock can be made a more environmentally friendly area through the use of clean operating industrial equipment for material handling. In today’s world, people are more cognizant than ever of harmful emissions and other environmental contaminants in their lives. By switching to lift trucks that are ‘green-friendly’ you can … Read more

Stretch Wrap – Keep Your Products Safe

Industrial goods go through a great deal of handling and transportation. Using stretch wrap, or stretch film, ensures your valuable products do not become damaged through all the activities that take place between manufacturing and shipment to their destination. Stretch wrap is an excellent way to keep all of the smaller items needed in a … Read more

Toyota #1 Selling Lift Truck

Since 2002, Toyota has been the #1 selling lift truck in the U.S.  Toyota Material Handling has been in the United States operations for over 40 years.  Toyota forklifts remain popular because of its quality, reliability and durability.  Most of the Toyota fork trucks sold in the U.S., are manufactured at TIEM (Toyota Industrial Equipment … Read more