Moving Drums On and Off Pallets: A Safety Guide

Handling heavy drums on and off shipping pallets is a common task in many workplaces. At first glance, it may seem like a simple process, but the reality is that many workers are injured every day attempting to move drums manually. From crushed toes to strained backs, the risks are significant. Understanding these risks and employing the right equipment can help protect your employees and ensure a safer work environment.

Common Safety Risks in Drum Handling

While moving drums off pallets might seem straightforward, there are numerous hazards that employees face in the process, including:

• Foot and Hand Injuries: Handling a 55-gallon drum by hand can lead to serious injuries if it slips or falls. Drums are heavy and difficult to control, making it easy for them to crush fingers or toes if proper precautions aren’t taken.
• Moving Excess Weight: A full drum can weigh upwards of 500 pounds. Attempting to lift or shift this much weight without assistance puts tremendous strain on the body, leading to back, shoulder, and neck injuries. Even with multiple workers, the risk of injury remains high if the proper technique or equipment isn’t used.
• Unsure Grip: Grabbing a drum manually can result in an unstable or unsure grip, especially if the drum is wet, greasy, or unevenly balanced. A slip in grip could cause the drum to drop, endangering both the handler and the surrounding area.
• Uneven or Slippery Floors: Warehouse and factory floors are often cluttered, uneven, or slippery, creating a hazard for anyone moving large, heavy drums. A small slip or misstep can lead to serious injuries, including falls or spills.

Protecting Employees with Drum Palletizers

The good news is that you can minimize these risks by using the right equipment. Drum Palletizers are purpose-built tools designed to safely move drums onto and off pallets, shelves, or spill containment areas. By utilizing this specialized equipment, you can:

• Avoid Foot and Hand Injuries: Drum palletizers securely grip the drum, eliminating the need for manual handling. Workers won’t have to worry about their fingers or toes being caught or crushed.
• Manage Excess Weight Safely: Drum palletizers are engineered to handle the weight of full drums with ease, reducing the strain on workers and significantly lowering the risk of injury from lifting or carrying excessive weight.
• Ensure a Strong, Stable Grip: With a drum palletizer, the drum is firmly secured by mechanical arms or attachments, ensuring a steady grip every time. This eliminates the risk of slips, drops, or unstable handling.
• Navigate Uneven or Slippery Floors: Because the drum is moved mechanically, workers can safely transport drums even across uneven or slippery floors. The equipment maintains stability, ensuring safer movement and handling throughout the process.

Safer, More Efficient Drum Handling

Using Drum Palletizers not only improves safety but also increases efficiency in your operations. Rather than having multiple workers struggling to manually move a drum, one worker can safely and quickly complete the task with the help of a palletizer. This not only reduces the risk of injury but also saves time and boosts productivity.

Prioritize Employee Safety with the Right Tools

The safety of your employees is crucial, and protecting them from the risks of moving drums on and off pallets should be a priority. Manual handling leads to unnecessary injuries, but with the use of Drum Palletizers, you can prevent accidents, protect your workforce, and keep your operation running smoothly.

Don’t leave safety to chance. Invest in purpose-built drum handling equipment and create a safer, more productive workplace.

Morse Manufacturing offers a range of drum handling solutions, including ergonomic drum palletizers that make moving drums safer and more efficient. Contact us today to learn how our solutions can enhance safety in your workplace.