Pallet Definition – What is a pallet?
A pallet is a wooden or plastic flat transportable platform on which goods can be moved, stacked, and stored, with the aid of a forklift. A pallet is designed to support goods giving stability to the item during transit.
For palletised distribution, the goods must be transported on a pallet. These days anything is packed onto pallets, from building materials, electrical appliances, boilers and car spares.
However you must not load the following items:
- Any hazardous goods
- Livestock or any other living creature
- Controlled drugs
- Machinery that contains oil
- Fireworks
- Any flammable compressed gases
- Any product or materials that may be dangerous or hazardous to handling staff
A pallet is defined in BS ISO 445 as follows: ‘a horizontal platform of minimum height compatible with handling by pallet trucks, and/or forklift trucks and other appropriate handling equipment, used as a base for assembling, storing, handling and transporting goods and loads in factories, warehouses etc’. It may be constructed with, or fitted with, a superstructure.
For further information on pallets click on the link below. The document covers pallet handling, safety, construction and best practise.
Click here to view Pallet Dimensions Definition (pdf format)
