Failure/accidents during container handling

The failure of any freight container in any of its load-bearing parts while being raised, lowered or suspended is a dangerous occurrence as defined in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR). It must be reported to the HSE.

Causes of failure include:

• lack of maintenance;
• overloading - the maximum gross weight is marked on the safety approval plate, usually found on the door or end frame. This must not be exceeded;
• uneven loading. This may result in the floor, floor bearers and side rails being severly overstressed;
• using excessively heavy machinery, such as fork lifts, inside a container.

Inadequately secured loads e.g. hanging meat, heavy machinery etc can make handling containers dangerous. If a container is thought to be unevenly loaded or that the load is not properly secured it should be carefully taken and left in a safe area until the problem can be put right.

Further guidance is available in:

• the International Labour Organisation Code of Practice ‘Safety in Docks’
• ICHCA Safety Pamphlet 21 ‘Stow it right’
• PSS Health & Safety in Ports guidance sheet SIP003 Container Handling