Did you know that 20% of reported accidents in supermarket chains and 35% of reported accidents in the distribution companies sector are caused by improper handling of roll containers? According to a report prepared by the HSE Institute in the UK, improper use of mesh containers is the cause of many accidents.
Roll containers are about half the size of a pallet, with four wheels and metal wire sides and base used to store goods during transport. You can select trolleys with 2, 3 or 4 sides depending on the application.
Rolling cages are a necessary logistic solution used in many industries such as medical or food. They facilitate the transport of goods from distribution centers to retail stores, also forming the basis for transporting products in supermarkets to replenish inventory on shelves. In the medical industry, roll containers fulfil their functions perfectly because they are hygienic and clean, and the transport takes place quietly and smoothly. Because of their use, roll containers are very popular in many other industries.
However, when working with rolling cages it is necessary to take into account several important safety instructions. If these important issues are not considered, an accident may occur during transport.
Some important safety tips to apply in your warehouse when using roll containers:
Loading and unloading safety:
One of the main causes of injuries and accidents in warehouses is the high rate of loading and unloading goods from roll containers, without employees taking breaks. Sometimes the demands are very high, which means that employees work extra hours to increase warehouse efficiency.
Continuous lifting can cause muscle pains and injuries. It is therefore important that employees take breaks during work, besides stretching exercises to allow your muscles to relax. This will maintain their health and prevent any kind of injury.
It is also necessary to use good quality roll containers (Here you can view our offer of roll containers), which ensures safe loading and unloading. By following these simple steps, you will avoid injuries and accidents in the workplace. That is why safety instructions should be observed during loading and unloading tasks in the warehouse.
Secure the roll container sides with fastening straps
To avoid accidents related to the movement of goods located on top of the roll container, it is worth ensuring proper stabilization of the load. Fastening straps and accessories for roll containers are great for this. Do you want to secure and strengthen goods in a roll container? Choose a strong PP strap (fabric + plastic) because it is strong, durable and flexible. It is also worth training employees so that when they handle roll containers they do not forget about securing with fastening tape.
Safe movement of roll containers
Employees should be properly trained in moving rolling cage trolleys in the workplace. Although the containers can be pulled out to their destination, this causes a high level of impact stress that can cause loads and injuries to the mesh truck operator. Therefore, roll containers should be pushed around the workplace only at walking speed, so that they do not gain excessive momentum, which could hinder their sudden stopping time in an emergency. Remember also that the brake should be locked before loading - this will immobilize the truck during loading.
Employees should also ensure that one person manually controlling the truck only operates one container at a time. In large warehouses, to save time, electric trolleys are used, which can transport several pieces at a time. However, you still need to take care when transporting more roll containers.
Slopes and rough area
Moving the nesting mesh trolleys up and down on an incline and rough surface can cause dangerous situations. A little carelessness with an incline can cause a serious accident. That is why it is essential to be careful in such a situation. Therefore, the best solution is moving heavy goods slowly and pushing them down the ramps, instead of trying to predict how a loaded roll container will behave on an inclined surface. In situations where roll containers must be moved over such surfaces, many workers should help move the container, preventing it from tipping over or getting out of control. It is also good practice to predict the movement of nested containers on wheels over an inclined plane with a light weight, and not to load heavy weights. This can help to ensure the safe movement of the roll container.
Wheels as a point of contact
Wheels on roller cages aim to move smoothly across the floor of warehouses, factories and stores, but must be well maintained to avoid safety problems. Because these parts are in constant use, they can easily be damaged or the bearings can wear, causing friction of a single wheel in the roll container, affecting the movement of the unit as a whole.
If the roll container does not move smoothly, this can cause problems for the operator because then the movement of the container is unpredictable, which can lead to safety problems, e.g. hands, feet and limbs can be trapped between the container and other surfaces, such as the sides of another roll container or its shelves. In every company using roll containers, a regular maintenance schedule should be used. Wheels of each trolley should be checked for defects, and any problematic wheels immediately replaced.
Do not overload containers
One of the most common reasons for accidents with roll containers in warehouses is overloading. Often, employees are tempted to overload containers to get the job done faster. However, this should never be done.
It is better to make the trip twice with fewer goods and be safer than one trip that is overloaded, which creates a dangerous situation. Always comply with load limits. Also, it is safer to go below the maximum load capacity of the container than to go beyond it. Remember also how to arrange the goods. We pack the heaviest things at the bottom, lighter at the top, then the distribution of goods in the roll container is appropriate. At Rotom, we have roll containers specially designed for heavy loads with a load capacity of up to 600 kg.
Proper use of roll containers
There is now a huge variety of different roll containers, from durable steel constructions to lightweight carts with folding sides that can be easily stored when needed. One of the best ways to ensure the safe use of containers in the workplace is to choose roll cages that are appropriate for your requirements.
It may happen that business owners will have to consult managers and employees to find out what challenges are associated with the use of roll containers. By understanding how the roll cages are used in the company, you can choose the appropriate containers so that the transport and movement of inventory are accident-free.
Safety summary:
- Push the container in front of you keeping your back straight, do not pull it the container
- Always use two hands while holding the roll container at shoulder height
- Grab the roll container from the swivel castors side - this will make driving the unit easier
- Check that no dirt has got on the wheels, e.g. foils, which can make it difficult to operate the truck
- Block the brake on the wheels before loading
- Use protective gloves and shoes
- Ensure a clean and level floor - a dirty and rough ground increases the risk of wheel damage and requires more strength
- Use only tested and safe roll containers, store damaged ones separately
Rental of roll containers makes a real profit for the company
If you have already decided on specific containers for safe use, you should certainly think about buying or renting these products. In Rotom, in addition to purchase, we offer the rental of roll containers on very favourable terms. It is a practical solution that applies when you need roll containers very quickly during a period of increased number of orders or the peak of the season, or when you cannot wait a long time for the delivery of purchased containers.
Rental is also very convenient for the entrepreneur because it does not require costly storage of unused containers. It is a quick and simple way to fulfil more orders without investing additional funds in the purchase of packaging. It is also a flexible solution because you can easily extend the rental period of the roll containers. At Rotom, we also make sure that roll containers meet all safety requirements because we care about the maintenance of trucks, so that rented roll containers are tested and easy to use.
