Pallets are an essential tool for storing, shipping, and transporting goods within your warehouse, but safety should always be a top priority when working with them. Whether it’s dealing with broken pallets or knowing how to properly dispose of them, following best practices can prevent damage to your goods, protect your employees, and avoid potential legal or environmental issues.

Check out the following tips on what you should know to keep your pallet operations safe and efficient.

Broken or Defective Pallets: A Serious Safety Concern

It’s easy to overlook a broken pallet, especially in busy environments. Many businesses assume they can get away with reusing a damaged pallet for smaller shipments or lighter loads. However, this can have serious consequences:

• Risk of Cargo Damage: A broken or unstable pallet can’t properly support your cargo, which may result in items being damaged or destroyed during transport.
• Danger During Transport: A weakened pallet can collapse under the weight of the load, making it difficult or even dangerous to move. In some cases, this could lead to an accident or cause delays in delivery, ultimately affecting customer satisfaction.
• Employee Safety Risks: The most dangerous risk is to your employees. A broken pallet can give way while loading or unloading, potentially causing injuries. A pallet failure during forklift operation could damage your lift truck or, worse, harm your staff.

Our advice: Never reuse a broken or defective pallet. Dispose of it immediately to avoid any potential issues. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to warehouse safety.

Proper Disposal of Pallets: What to Do (and What Not to Do)

Proper Disposal of Pallets: What to Do (and What Not to Do)

When a pallet has reached the end of its life, proper disposal is key to ensuring safety and protecting the environment. Here’s what you need to know:

Do Not Burn Your Pallets

While burning pallets may seem like an easy way to get rid of them, it’s a dangerous and harmful practice. Many pallets are treated with chemicals such as pressure treatments, preservatives, and dyes. Burning these pallets releases toxic fumes, which can pose serious health risks to anyone exposed to them.

Hazards include:

• Exposure to harmful chemicals like methyl bromide and creosote, which are used for pest control and preservation.
• Dangerous fumes from paints, disinfectants, and water-sealing chemicals commonly applied to pallets.

The Safe Way to Dispose of Pallets

Instead of burning pallets, here’s a safer and more responsible way to dispose of them:

1. Break them down: Have an employee carefully break down damaged pallets into individual boards. Be sure to use proper safety equipment, including gloves and eye protection, to avoid injuries from nails and splinters.
2. Repurpose the wood: If your business has a need for scrap wood, consider using the pallet boards for other projects. Repurposing wood is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
3. Proper disposal: If the wood isn’t useful, break it down and dispose of it in your dumpster. Reducing the size of the pallet will maximize space and reduce pickup costs. Make sure to follow local waste disposal regulations.

Pallet safety is crucial to maintaining a smooth, efficient, and safe operation. Always inspect pallets for damage before use, and immediately remove any broken pallets from circulation. When it’s time to dispose of pallets, don’t take shortcuts like burning them—be mindful of both your employees’ health and the environment.

If you need advice on pallet care, safety, or disposal best practices, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to help you make informed decisions that protect both your business and your team.