Drums are awkwardly shaped, heavy and difficult to carry. Doing so without the proper measures can result in injury, and as an employer you have a duty of care towards your staff to make sure that injuries of this natures do not occur in the workplace. Drum handling equipment can help you to meet this duty of care, providing safe working practices for members of staff and ensuring they can go about their work safely. There is a vast range of drum handling equipment available that can provide solutions to all lifting, turning, storing and opening requirements in any environment. You will need to find the right solutions for you and your particular processes, consulting with a drum handling equipment supplier to ensure you make the right choices for your business.
Different types of drum handling equipment
There are various kinds of drum handling equipment available on the market. Here are some of the most common types you might find:
- Drum trucks. Often with a hydraulic mechanism, drum trucks can be used for transporting drums and lifting them onto or off pallets. They can also be used to move and turn them, making these processes simpler and safer.
- Drum grabs. Intended for vertically transporting steel drums, the drum grab has jaws that will attach underneath the lip of the drum. Some drum grabs will have adjustable arms, meaning they can also be used with a forklift.
- Drum clamps. If you are looking to lift and transport steel drums, a drum clamp could work. You can use two clamps to lift an open drum that is still full, and you will need a two leg chain sling as well. If you are transporting empty drums or drums that are sealed, one drum clamp should be enough. These clamps tend to be light and simple to use, making them a good investment.
If you can’t find exactly what you need, it’s always worth consulting with a supplier. They will know the drum handling market inside out and can point you in the right direction. They might also have more bespoke attachments for particular types and brands of forklift, that they can tell you about and advise on further. This is the best way to find the right drum handling solutions for you.
Certificates of conformity – safety with drum handling equipment
Whenever you buy lifting equipment, you need to know that what you are buying is safe to use and fully compliant. Certificates of conformity will show you that what you are buying conforms and is compliant. You should make sure that any drum handling equipment you purchase comes with the necessary paperwork and can be traced back to the supplier. If required, any servicing should also have been logged. A reputable supplier will only sell drum handling equipment and other lifting equipment that is fully compliant and comes with all the right paperwork, so make sure you buy from the industry leaders and you can be sure that what you are purchasing will meet legal obligations.