Drum Handling Safety, Tips and Procedures

Drum handling equipment are used by many companies. For example, pharmaceutical, chemical and water waste sectors.

It is an essential warehouse material handling equipment to handle liquids in containers or drums.

With that said, it is important to know more information on drum handling procedures for a safer work environment.

So, follow this guide to know more about safe drum handling.

Dangers of Handling Drums

Before getting to know the types of drum handlers and how they operate, you must first recognize the risks of drum handling.

Accordingly, you will know how to practice drum handling safety around a variety of drum handling equipment in a facility. 

How do you Handle a 55 Gallon Drum?

The most standard size of a drum is a 55 gallon drum. However, all types of drums must be handled carefully to avoid potential dangers.

Certainly, employers are responsible to set proper health and safety measures for workers to handle drums safely.

Choosing Drum Handling Equipment

Now you know the risks and the safety tips when handling drums, you need to know how to select the perfect drum handler for your operations.

Because it is crucial that you are clear of all the features and functions a drum handlert has before you use it in your operations.

Types of Drum Handling Equipment

Lastly, you must want to know which type of equipment is best to handle your drums, right?

Luckily, there are many variations including drum tipping equipment and forklift drum handlers. However, it is best to choose from a MHE supplier. 

Handle Drums the Right Way

Finally, you know the full details of drum handling devices.

So, now consider buying from a brand that sells the best drum handlers in town!

Therefore, consult an expert, preferably from a material handling equipment supplier with great after-sales service.

Get in touch with our friendly customer service team for more detailed information.

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Consultation is completely FREE!

The post Drum Handling Equipment Guide for 2021 appeared first on MHE Specialist | Bullmax.

Industrial drum handling has many potential risks without the right safety precautions

A standard sized drum can weigh up to 270kg, so handling drums can be very dangerous.

This includes handling drums such as transporting, stacking and decanting drums. Hence, it is not a good idea to let workers manually handle drums since it is risky and inefficient.

However, even the most dangerous handling can be safe with the right safety guidelines.

Here are some tried and tested tips on how to handle drums safely.

What are the hazards of drum handling?

Although there are many handling equipment, not all are easy to operate especially when handling filled drums.

Refer Handling Drums 101

Hence, it is important to know all the risks of drum handling procedures.

Suggested read: 8 Dangerous Risks of Handling Drums

Drum Handling Safety Tips

Workers must always handle heavy drums with the right handling equipment.

Thus, be sure that the handling procedures are specifically designed for the operation such as drum trucks, forklift attachments or other drum handlers.

Moreover, mishandling industrial drums can endanger workers and drums, waste valuable contents or pollute the environment.

Prevent the Potential Risks

Handling industrial drums can be very risky, especially those with hazardous or flammable contents.

Therefore, to guarantee that all risks are avoided, proper precautions must be followed at all times.

Choose the Right Drum Handling Equipment

Material handling equipment are mainly for standard materials such as boxes, pallets and non-hazardous materials.

That is why industrial drums must have their own specialized equipment so workers do not risk themselves when handling drums.

However, there are many types of drum handlers available in the market each with their own set of functions.

Therefore, you must first identify what your main operations include. Either transporting drums, stacking drums, lifting drums or decanting drums.

Then, it will be easier to choose preferably from a reliable MHE supplier.

Handle Drum Trucks the Right Way

Drums can be hazardous but handling them the right way can save you

However, handling industrial drums needs the right equipment and proper operation.

From drum-handling forklift attachments, to ergonomic drum lifters and drum porters, Bullmax manufactures a full selection of MHE for any drum handling application.

Suggested read: 12 Types of Drum Handlers for Better Work

So get in touch with our friendly customer service team for customized options fit for your facility.

CONTACT US NOW

Consultation is completely

FREE!

The post Drum Handling 101: How to Handle Drums Safely appeared first on MHE Specialist | Bullmax.

Warehouses that operate drums and barrels must acknowledge and prioritize drum handling safety.

Partially filled drums are more unstable to handle and can cause imbalance which will lead to accidents and probable damage.

But that’s not the only downside of drum handling. Read 8 Dangerous Risks of Drum Handling to know what the other risks are. 

As an employer, it’s not enough to just acknowledge all the possible risks of every equipment.

You must also apply the necessary drum handling safety for a healthy work culture. 

1. PPE when Handling Drums

Have you got your PPE in check? Check again with the list below if you’re in the business of handling drums.

Especially if their contents include hazardous chemicals. 

Need Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)? Boxter has the best safety gear in town! 

2. Drum Moving Safety

1. Before moving, check the drum for damage and ensure its lid is securely fastened.
2. Wear appropriate PPE as chemical filled drums may be coated in hazardous residues.
3. When moving drums, ensure the path is clear, smooth and spacious.
4. Ensure the drum truck used is in good condition and is designed to handle your specific drum type being handled.
5. Strictly avoid moving drums on steep slopes manually.
6. Operate a drum truck, drum porter, drum cradler with a straight back using two hands and your leg if required and ensure no one is close to the load.

3. Drum Lifting Safety

1. Always use fully-tested drum lifting equipment , keep hands and other staff clear of the drum while operation is taking place.
2. Check if the safe working load (SWL) of the Drum Handler is suitable for the weight of drums.
3. Ensure a secure connection between the drum and the lifter. If not, lower the drum back down and secure.
4. When lifting a drum with an Overhead Drum Lifter, keep the load as close to the ground as possible in case it is detached.
5. Do not keep drums in a raised position when the machine is left unattended for any period of time.
6. When lowering drums, ensure no cables, hoses or equipment are trapped beneath the drum.

4. Drum Tipping Safety

1. Ensure drums are securely fixed to the Drum Rotator before being raised and personnel should refrain from standing in front of the drum rotator during operations.
2. Move the drum tipper at low speed to ensure the drum is stable at raised heights.
3. Ensure you have visual access to where you are tipping the drum contents. If required, appoint personnel to provide guidance from a safe viewing location.
4. The vessel or container must have a large enough hole to receive the drum contents. Or consider using a large funnel, drum tap or other device to prevent costly spillages.
5. Keep drums in the raised position while decanting only. Gently lower drums back down to the ground once complete.

Leading Drum Handling Equipment Supplier

You must handle every industrial material correctly.

Drums that contain hazardous chemicals require an extensive safety strategy in the warehouse. Not just because it is costly, but it can endanger your workers.

As for general warehouse operations, practice particular safety procedures as well.

Be in the know by reading Top 5 Warehouse Safety Tips before you start work tomorrow. 

Looking for other drum handling equipment? You’ve come to the right place!

Get in touch with our friendly customer service team for customized options fit for your facility.

CONTACT US NOW

Consultation is completely

FREE!

The post Drum Handling Safety Tips appeared first on MHE Specialist | Bullmax.

Any facility that handles materials poses serious occupational risks, especially drum handling warehouses.

A standard 55-gallon drum can weigh up to 208 kg!

That kind of weight can be strenuous for manual transport, drum handling & decanting. 

Raising risks is one thing but it is also inefficient to manually handle drums.

Read: How to Choose the Right Drum Handlers

Drum handling safety needs more awareness among those working with drums. 

The way to do that is to pinpoint all the risks handling drums can bring. 

The Dangers of Drum Handling

Material handling equipment generally carries their own risks individually.

Handling drums is much more unique than the standard pallets warehouses use. 

Here are several common problems when handling drums that can occur:  

1. Manual Drum Handling

Did we mention that a full drum weighs about 208kg? That’s like 3 times the weight of an average man!

No way manual handling is safe for a full drum. 

Whereas, an empty drum weight is about 20kg.

It’s clear here that empty drums are the safest to be handled manually.

2. Different Sizes and Shapes of Drums

If you work in the chemical industry, you know how many types of drums there are. 

Metal drums, plastic drums, Jerry cans, IBC tanks and more. How to handle them is a head-scratcher!

So identify the type of drums you have first before you purchase your drum handlers. 

3. Drum Handling Procedures in Confined Spaces

No matter how organized you think your warehouse is, some places may be too confined for safe drum handling.

So consider this first before you go ahead and buy a Forklift Drum Positioner or a Semi Electric Drum Handler that needs a wider space to operate.

4. Organized Storage Space

Bad housekeeping is never good anywhere. Especially at a place where productivity and efficiency should be top-tier. 

Storing drums in a disorderly manner can be resolved by using the right 55 gallon drum handling equipment like the Drum Handler.

It can transport, lift and tilt industrial drums with minimal operation. 

5. Unsafe Flooring Unfit for Drum Handling

Even if you’re not handling drums, every facility must have safe flooring. It’s a regulatory issue. 

But if you do have bumpy floors, potholes and the like, don’t blame your workers if any of your inventory is damaged. 

This is especially critical if you are oil drum handling.

6. Imbalanced Drums

Not all drums have the same liquid quantity. Just look at your drum handler manual. Full or empty drums are easiest to handle because of their fixed volume. 

When a drum is partially filled, handling it manually is very dangerous and unstable. 

This is due to the moving contents in the container. So opt for a stable drum mover like an Overhead Drum Lifter, Drum Porter and a Forklift Drum Rotator.

7. Hazardous Material Leakage

Imagine if your employees are transporting hazardous chemicals or using a drum decanting trolley, any minor damage can cause the drums to leak. 

It could be due to manufacturing defects, accidents during transport or external factors. 

This can impact your stock and supply. Don’t cry over spilled chemicals. 

Make sure all rules and regulations are followed biblically to avoid any shortage in inventory (and your money).

8. Over-exertion and Musculoskeletal Strain

There’s no denying how exhaustive it is to manually handle drums.

Your workers will experience severe burnout and strain if the correct drum handling procedures aren’t properly followed.

Visit the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Malaysia for detailed occupational safety procedures that you must follow. It’s all in there. 

Top Drum Handling Equipment Supplier in Malaysia

It’s important to know exactly what type of risks handling drums can cause be it manually or not.

Once all potential perils have been acknowledged, then you’ll know what you should do to resolve them.

Stuck choosing a drum handling system? Call us up and we’ll help decide which best suits you.

Looking for other handling equipment? Read 7 tips to choose the perfect handling equipment before you make your purchase.

Or contact our friendly customer service team for more customized options.

CONTACT US NOW

Consultation is completely

FREE!

The post 8 Dangerous Risks of Drum Handling appeared first on MHE Specialist | Bullmax.