

Solution: Half-Size Pallets for Brick and Block

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	Description:	Half-size pallets for brick or block are pallets that have been loaded with half the material that a standard pallet holds. The reduced weight allows for the pallet to be placed directly in a localized area of work. Typically, laborers must divide full pallets of material on to other pallets, and then position the material on to the scaffolding before beginning work. A half-size pallet eliminates this step since the material can be placed directly at the site of work. Standard brick or block pallets are delivered with 756 pieces and weigh about 3000 lb, making them too heavy to place on scaffolding. Half-size pallets weigh half of the normal shipping weight, eliminating the need to break down the pallet before starting work. Due to the reduced weight, half-size pallets can be placed on scaffolding next to the bricklayers by a lift. This reduces the time spent manually handling/moving materials around the site, which increases efficiency. More Detail
	Risks Addressed:	Working with bricks or blocks can require stooping and manual material handling via transferring material. High compression forces occur in the spine while stooping, and sustained or repeated flexion of the spine may decrease the stability of the lower back. Decreased stability and higher compression forces can lead to injury and low back pain. Further, general lifting can also strain the muscles or sprain the ligaments surrounding the spinal joints in the lower back causing low back pain. Using half-size pallets can reduce or eliminate the need to need to transfer materials thereby reducing the risk of strain and injury.
	How Risks are Reduced:	Half-size pallets reduce the distance workers need to manually carry brick or block by placing materials closer to the site of work.
	Quality of Evidence (Risk Reduction):	Manufacturers, vendors, or worksites have reported a risk reduction. Safety and health experts believe there is a risk reduction.
	Quality of Evidence Explanation (Risk Reduction):	Since workers do not have to manually break down full-size pallets of brick or block, they spend less time manually moving materials around the work site. Also, when using half-size pallets, a worker decreases the number of times they need to ascend and descend the scaffolding, decreasing their risk of injury and falls.
	Effects on Productivity:	The use of half-size pallets has the capability of increasing productivity.
	Quality of Evidence (Effects on Productivity):	Manufacturers or vendors have reported an increase in productivity. Safety and health experts believe there is an increase in productivity.
	Quality of Evidence Explanation (Effects on Productivity):	By reducing the amount of time workers spend handling materials from full-size pallets, more time can be spent constructing the structures.
	Return on Investment:	To calculate the return on investment (ROI) for your specific application, please visit our Return on Investment Calculator. While a specific ROI example has not been developed for this particular solution, the ROI Calculator provides a useful tool and guidance on how to generate your own on investment analysis.
	Availability:	If available, contractors can request materials to be shipped on half-size pallets.
	Contributors:	Dan Anton, PT, PhD, ATC and Michael Milanoski, SPT – Eastern Washington University
	Hazards Addressed:	General Labor Load, unload and distribute construction materials Lifting and Carrying (Manual materials handling)