For safety – load shipping containers at ground level
July 1st 2007

"Every year 700 people die or are seriously injured falling from vehicles" and "Always use all equipment provided to avoid work at height" says the HSE's, 'Avoiding falls from vehicles' publication. Of the 700 deaths and serious injuries, those that occurred during the loading and unloading of shipping containers could have been avoided if the containers where being handled at ground level.

The number of vehicles on the road in the UK that are capable of lifting loaded shipping containers on to the ground (sidelifters) at customers' premises is increasing.

The improved availability of this service enables importers and exporters handling full container loads to follow the HSE guidelines and avoid working at height.

Loading at ground level eliminates the likelihood of personnel falling from the vehicle. It also greatly reduces the likelihood of damage to freight if dropped.

This is particularly important when packing or unpacking expensive, heavy or awkward items.

There are also concerns of the health affects associated with operating diesel or gas powered fork lift trucks in enclosed spaces. Within the enclosed space of a 40ft shipping container harmful gases such as carbon monoxide can quickly build up. The extra power available from diesel or gas powered fork lift trucks is needed when using a traditional vehicle height ramp. However a low mast electric fork lift truck can be used when the container placed on the ground without quickly running the batteries flat. All that is required is a small, inexpensive 6 inch ramp.

Apart from the tragic human cost of an avoidable accident, the commercial cost through corporate liability and staff and equipment downtime can be vast. These costs are compounded by the savings that could have been made if the loading had been carried out at ground level. These savings may include vehicle detention charges and extra staff hired in to carry out hurried loading and unloading. Containerlift is at the forefront of establishing the service of delivering containers to the ground in the UK.

As the UK distributor for Steelbro, the world leaders in the design and manufacture of sidelifter equipment, Containerlift operate a network of over 20 sidelifters across the country. They also supply new and used sidelifters for lease, hire and sale to other transport companies.

Containerlift's Steelbro sidelifters can safely lift 36 tonne shipping containers ranging in size from 20ft containers through to 45ft shipping containers. Its machines will lift containers to and from their own chassis, the ground, accompanying container vehicles, rail wagons and can double stack containers.