HPE on Safety in the Production of Wooden Packaging

When it comes to the safe transport of industrial goods “Made in Germany”, wooden packaging has proven itself millions of times. What is important to ensure that the goods not only reach their destination safely but are also produced safely in terms of occupational safety is explained by the Federal Association of Wooden Packaging, Pallets, Export Packaging (HPE) against the backdrop of the new guidance from the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) “Safe Production of Wooden Packaging – Large Format Export Packaging Made of Wood”.

(Bad Honnef) The number of workplace accidents in Germany is decreasing. To ensure that this long-term trend continues, health protection in the workplace remains a central task for companies and their employees. The new DGUV brochure on the Safe Production of Wooden Packaging illustrates what can be done to significantly reduce accident risks in the production of large export packaging made of wood, with many explanatory examples and images over approximately 70 pages. It becomes clear in the brochure: Possible dangers in the work environment and during the specific execution of the project should never be underestimated. Especially in the production and preparation of the often several meters wide and high transport boxes, it is essential to take protective measures diligently, particularly at elevated workplaces and with the tools used for activities at height. “Although the frequency of accidents at elevated workplaces is relatively low compared to other activities, when something happens, the accidents are often severe, causing significant suffering for those affected and their families,” warns HPE Managing Director Marcus Kirschner.

According to DGUV, particularly frequent and severe accidents occurred in the following areas:

• Falls from height including the use of ladders
• Accidents with driving devices
• Accidents during material handling
• Tripping, falling, slipping

Accidents during In-House Transport

In terms of the number of workplace accidents, according to the DGUV brochure, driving devices rank first with a share of 32 percent, followed by “material handling” with 21 percent and tripping/falling/slipping on level surfaces and stairs with a share of 17 percent. Following at a significant distance were in-house transport with eight percent and table and format circular saws with six percent of the accidents. The costs incurred by the accidents presented a different picture. Here, driving devices and tripping/falling/slipping on level surfaces and stairs accounted for about 13 percent each. Accidents involving table and format circular saws as well as accidents during in-house transport caused about 11 percent each of the costs incurred due to workplace accidents.

“Every workplace accident is one too many. With the right preparation of projects, risks can be significantly reduced,” emphasizes HPE Managing Director Kirschner. “Successful occupational safety begins with planning and only ends with the handover of the product to the client.”

For successful occupational safety for the benefit of all, the new DGUV booklet provides important information for both employers and employees. “The clear practical relevance is particularly valuable. Because the best knowledge of the right safety measures is of no use if they are not applied diligently and consistently. Cautious and conscientious behavior serves the safety of oneself and everyone in the workplace. Occupational safety and accident prevention do not come for free, but the effort is worth it, because ultimately every avoided workplace accident is an accolade for every company,” states Kirschner.

Brochure Available Online and in Print

The brochure, which is available online and will presumably also be available in printed form from October, was created with the participation of HPE and is divided into eight chapters over 72 pages. The appendix contains a checklist for the use of scaffolding as well as training sheets on the following topics:

• Safe work with chainsaw machines
• Safe operation of industrial trucks
• Safe work with hearing protection in noisy areas
• Safe work with ladders

The DGUV document can be accessed here

Photo: © HPE