Thinking of New Drum Storage?
When looking for drum storage, it's important to consider a few different factors in the equation.
- Is your storage long-term or do you find that frequent rotations in and out of drum storage areas is a way of life in your work space?
- How much volume do you have?
- Is your current drum handling equipment up to the task of dealing with drums in a different configuration, or would the design of your proposed new drum storage create problems with your existing equipment?
If you haven't taken a poll among those who work in drum storage situations on a daily basis, it may be wise to learn what the 'on-site' wisdom is with regard to a new drum storage solution. The input of your trusted workers may surprise you.
New Drum Equipment? Plan Ahead!
New drum equipment, or drum equipment use with inexperienced people, requires some additional risk management planning and training. Your new workers may be unfamiliar with situations involving overhead hazards, or potential hazards. Additionally, some drum equipment is only designed or rated for closed containers.
Your new drum equipment purchase may also require contingency planning for mishaps including spills, dropped drums due to operator error, and procedures for dealing with equipment malfunctions. There is much to plan for with a drum equipment purchase. Don't wait until the last minute to add to your risk management plans and maintenance schedules to accommodate the new additions to your workplace. Your training should be done in advance of and not in reaction to a mishap or breakdown.
A Thirty Dollar Tool Can Save Thousands
Equipment for drum handling can come in a variety of configurations. Some of the most basic gear are accessories to the more expensive equipment such as fork truck or pallet truck. These items may seem like miscellaneous purchases, but in the long run they can enhance productivity and reduce the potential for injuries due to repetitive use, leaks and spills.
A manual drum upender is an excellent example. This simple drum handling tool sells for around $30, and is used to help a worker move a drum onto a dolly or fork truck. The proper use of this drum handling tool prevents injuries that can occur when trying to use the arms and lower back to do the same job.?
Drum Transport--Manual or Hydraulic?
Manual drum carriers are less expensive than their hydraulic counterparts. If your shop only requires "over-the-ground" drum transport in small volumes, you will probably be safe using the inexpensive manual version.
A hydraulic drum carrier comes with?features that are?not always available in a manual version--the drum carrier/rotator model is a good example. This equipment still requires only a single operator and uses a foot pump, and can be a major help for jobs beyond 'casual use' quick trips across a dock or service area.
The hydraulic?drum carrier requires the drum be strapped in, but the ease of operation and "one-man" nature of the work makes this piece of equipment a valuable part of a busy work area's productivity. This equipment often comes with a modification to handle smaller drum sizes, adding to the versatility of the machine. As always, if you aren't sure whether this equipment is necessary, take a poll of your most trusted on-site people.
You may not need the gear today, but if your company is about to outgrow its current operation, you'll want to schedule purchases like these into your upcoming budgets.
First Aid and Safety Issues
The work area's first aid training and supplies kits should?reflect the kinds of mishaps likely to happen with the gear you're using.
If you are using overhead drum equipment, your crews should be trained in procedures for dealing with shock, head trauma and eye injuries. Additionally, your protective gear should be updated to include helmets, hearing protection, heavy-duty gloves and eyewash.
Transporting drums means potential leakage either from factory defects in the drum, damage to the drum before you took possession, or an accidental drop or tipping. If you currently don't have eye protection or eyewash onsite, it's in your best interest to provide these items for your workers. The expense of adding these today is the money you'll save on doctor bills and lost productivity tomorrow.
The Right Tool For The Job, Part Two
If you work in an environment with varying clearances or ceiling height, you'll need to choose your drum handling equipment carefully.
The varieties of maximum extension for drum dumpers, for example, may be a factor. Your average storage height may not exceed the drum dumper's specs, but if you have other storage that does, you'll either?have to rearrange your storage scheme or find another piece of equipment.
Drum handling equipment purchases involve a lot of detail--how much weight you routinely need to handle, sizes, heights and even the maximum height of rotation for each model of drum dumper. Checking clearances with your equipment specs may seem like an elementary step, but it's one that can get overlooked in the confusion of the initial research-so many models and prices, so little time!
Choose the Right Tool For the Job
There is a wide variety of drum handling equipment, all designed to ergonomically handle the work connected to drums such as transport, crushing, rotating and other duties. The size and volume of your work may play a large part in deciding what kinds of drum handling equipment is right for you.
There are portable and stationary versions of drum dumpers; if your work requires dumping of drums under 1,500 pounds, the portable model may be a good fit in your work area. That said, the price differences between portable and stationary models can be substantial, so it's important to choose the right tool for the job. This is one instance where, in a larger operation, you may need to ask those doing the job for their input to make a good decision.