Effective reduction of damage to goods in transit

Effective reduction of damage to goods in transit

One of the most important functions of sealed packaging – secondary and tertiary packaging in particular – is to keep your products safe and protected while in transit. It is essential to secure large shipments to guard against load-shifting damages during transportation. The best way to do this is to wrap your pallets before they ship. NPP provides several pallet wrap options, including eco-wrap, fibre film, Air O film and machine-dispensed plastic wrap. Let’s look at some of the most common causes of transit damage and how to mitigate them.

Improper packing

The most common cause of damage to goods during transit is improper packing. Failing to pack pallets properly and secure and insulate them against load-shifting, impact and vibration, can result in damage to your goods. Stack pallets carefully and evenly, and ensure that none of your cartons are hanging over the edge of the pallet. If a pallet contains boxes of differing sizes and weights, arrange your packing so that larger, heavier items are on the bottom. Be careful not to stack a pallet too high. Once a pallet is completed, it should be wrapped with a strong palletwrap. Your careful packing methods should extend to the manner in which the pallets are arranged on the back of the truck. One tried and tested method is to alternate the direction of every other pallet so as to balance the overall load and prevent any pallets from toppling over.

Forklift damage

Pallets are designed to be lifted with the use of forklifts. However, when not used properly, forklifts can do severe damage to goods. Here are some of the most common forklift mistakes to avoid:

• Lifting and lowering pallets too quickly. A forklift operator should take it slowly. Controlled operation enables you to space tines properly, avoid short-forking and preventing the lift from slamming into the shipment. When picking up or putting down a load, it pays to be patient.
• Training pallets. “Training,” in this sense, means to push a pallet across the floor, rather than lifting it up. Pallets are not built to be pushed, especially with a full load.
• Short forking. This is when the tines of the forklift are not inserted all the way into a pallet before lifting it. Not only can the pallet simply topple off the forklift if it is short forked, but because part of the pallet will have to carry the weight that the tines should be bearing, it can easily break under the pressure.
• Not spacing the tines properly. Tines must fit easily and evenly into the pallet, and should be spaced as far apart as they can go with still being able to fit through the openings in the pallet. 

Pallet damage

As a result of improper packing and bad forklift operation, as well as other factors, pallets can easily get damaged. Damaged pallets could lead to damaged goods. Here are some of the best ways to prevent pallet damage:

• Ensure that you have the right pallet for your product.
• Keep pallets dry: especially in the food, beverage and industry, wet pallets could spell trouble, as pallet mould could damage or contaminate your goods.
• Use adequate handling procedures.
• Wrap your pallets and use the correct equipment.

Use correct equipment to eliminate damage

NPP supplies the wraps and machines you need to keep your pallets safe and protected. Our Fiber Film, Eco Fiber Film, Air O Film, and pallet wrap dispensers and wrapping machines will help to wrap those pallets up tight. In addition to good lifting and packing techniques, NPP’s wraps will help you keep your shipments safe while in transit.

Contact us for more information about sealed packaging and transit packaging, including pallet wrap and more.