Exiting the container

5.May.2021

When devanning a shipping container, after completing a pallet exit the shipping container before the forklift operator enters the container, and stand in the 'safe zone' until it is safe to re-enter.

Safe Zone:

When you have exit the container, stand at least 2 metres, or a safe distance away from the forklift's traffic flow. You should be in eye sight of the forklift, avoid standing in 'blind spots', and keep an eye on the forklift at all times whilst it is operating in your workspace.

This helps to mitigate the following risks:

- Crushing hazard, if the forklift driver doesn't brake properly you could be crushed between the pallet and the product, or the side of the container.

- Toxicity hazard of inhaling fumes from a LPG or fuel powered forklift, which will be emitted inside a container which is a confined space.

- Falling product hazards, the weight of the forklift entering the container could shake the container, causing loose product to fall. There is also the risk that when the forklift lifts up the pallet, the stacked product could fall from the pallet.