Stacking kiln dried log crates: how to do it safely

Jun 29, 2021

Stacking kiln dried log crates: how to do it safely

Kiln dried log crates are a great way of stocking up on the logs that you need but stacking them safely must be a priority. These crates can be large and heavy and correct stacking can prevent accidents in the worst-case scenario and make life easier in the best. As well as keeping humans and animals safe, correct stacking can save you time by ensuring organisation in your storage space and making it as easy as possible to access your logs and see when you need to restock. It can also save you money by preventing wastage and allowing you to see exactly what logs you have to use.
Here we take a look at the top tips for stacking kiln dried log crates safely, saving you time, storage space and money, and ultimately aimed at keeping you and everyone else who comes into contact with your kiln dried logs crate supplies safe.

1. Stack the same crates together

If your order from Cozilogs includes a range of different kiln dried logs crate choices, such as a kiln dried ash logs crate and a kiln dried oak firewood logs giant crate, then it is always important to stack like with like. With any items such as crates, especially those filled with heavy items such as logs, it can be a big mistake to stack even slightly different shapes and sizes together as this can really impact stability. This is vitally important if you are removing logs from crates regularly or if they have any chance of moving around inside when some have been removed from the pile.

If you are short of space and you don’t have a lot of crates, you could stack a larger crate at the bottom and then place smaller crates on top but checking the integrity of the stack and how stable it is, even if it is nudged, must be at the top of your list of priorities. In an ideal world, especially if you place large orders of the kiln dried ash logs crate or other crates, all crates should be separated into piles of different sizes and stacked accordingly. It is also worth remembering that if you are storing logs with other crates or items, then you should always consider size and stability, as well as stacking wood with wood, metal with metal and plastics with plastics, even if boxes and crates are the same size. This will create the safest stacking environment.

2. Keep crates vertical

Crates are designed to stay vertical, especially when they are filled with logs, and so avoid trying to stack them on their sides. This can affect their stability and the integrity of your stack, making the risk from accidents rise.

Stacking crates kept in a vertical position will prevent undue movement of the contents, as well as reducing the risk of the stack falling over when someone removes a kiln dried logs crate or some of the logs stored within.

Stacking crates positioned in different directions can also increase the possibility of logs escaping and littering the ground and of crates not being positioned properly and creating a tripping hazard in the storage space.

3. Don’t stack too high

Just because you can physically lift another kiln dried ash logs crate onto the top of the pile, it doesn’t mean that you should. The higher your stack of ash, oak or Hornbeam log crates, the more chance there is of it toppling over and causing injury to a person or animal. Even if everyone escapes serious injury, such accidents can be time-consuming and difficult to clear up.

In general, you should aim to create a stable cube when stacking kiln dried log crates. If you have created what looks like a tower then you have already probably built your stack too high to be safe.

4. Don’t stack damaged crates

Just as you would with any sort of work equipment, it is important to regularly check crates for any damage. Inspections are also important to check the stability of any stacks, especially if items have been removed or moved around in your storage space. It is important to note that kiln dried logs crates that have been initially stacked as safely as they possibly could be, can become unsafe very easily due to a variety of factors, ranging from weather conditions to human error.

If crates have been damaged, it is really important not to stack them. This is because their structural integrity could have been compromised and they may not be stable enough to support any weight or keep their position in a stack.
Damaged crates can be repaired to make them safe to stack again but make sure that this is done properly. If you don’t know how to complete a safe, structurally sound repair then get someone to help who does.

5. Train everyone

Whether you are ordering a kiln dried ash logs crate delivery for a business or to stock up at home, it is important that everyone who could possibly be involved knows how to stack them safely. It is no use doing research on how to safely stack log crates if you do not share this information with everyone who might get involved in the job.

If stacking log crates is part of a business operation, make sure that this job is included in your training procedures. If you use your logs at home, ensure that everyone knows what they should and shouldn’t do when it comes to storing your supplies safely.

6. Maintain safety standards

Stacking your log crates safely in the first instance is very important but so is maintaining safety standards. Make sure that no one can wander around stacked kiln dried logs crates and everyone knows that this is not an area for careless behaviour or messing around. It is also important to ensure that your storage area is safe and secure if there is even a chance of anyone getting in and putting themselves or someone else in danger.

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