STEPS TO SELECT THE RIGHT DRUM HANDLER

3 Simple Steps to Select the Right Drum Handler

Several industries that handle heavy drums, including wastewater, chemical, and F&B require drum handling equipment.

While there are several varieties of drums, the 55-gallon barrel drums are the most commonly used. Despite the models Drums are heavy objects and can often impose hazards if handled the wrong way. Safety handling is directly connected with the right drum handler, which is specialized Morse equipment.

Why Is Choosing the Right Drum Handler Important?

Hazardous Spillages
Moving drums is categorized as a hazardous task to both movers and surrounding objects. The matters intensify if the drum contains chemically corrosive material, flammable liquids and other hazardous substances.
Difficult Grip
The exterior of the drums could be slippery and the round shape of these objects makes the manual grip even more difficult. Moreover, drums are often stored in tight spaces in an industrial setting. Movers who try to transport the drums in confined spaces are often subjected to tapping injuries and crush points.
Uneven Floors
Not all the industries benefit from smooth and even floor; uneven flooring can result in tipping and fall injuries. Falling while carrying a drum manually can cause it to slip out of control to create further damages.
Dangerous Content Shift
Manual drum handling is also considered dangerous for half filled drums, where the force against gravity caused by the content’s shifting can be even harder to control than a full drum.

How to Determine the Correct Drum Handler: 3 Simple Steps

To choose the right equipment for your drum handling systems, you will need to follow three simple steps;

Step 1: Assessment of the Drums

Before choosing a drum handler, you must establish which type of drum is involved in your system. By referring to the drum information in the manufacturer’s catalogue, you’d require;

● Material of drum; where they are steel, plastic, or fiber
● Existence or lack of Rim
● Drum sizes: 55, 30 gallon (210 liter, 114 liter,) etc.
● Maximum weight if the heaviest drum; especially if your drums are being used for diver’s contents.
● Types of drum contents: liquid, powder, granules, etc.
● Warehousing and shipping

Once we have settled and recorded this information, we can move to the second step.

Step 2: Drum’s Function

The content of the drum and its material define the general function of drums in different industrial lines. To understand the perfect way to handle and move these drums, we must establish the following information;

● Sensitivity of drums to movement
● Upright Movability of drums
● Possibility of horizontal movement of the drums
● Lift & Pour drum varieties
● In case of Lift & Pour drums, the height of this operation
● Rack assortment of drum- and where these rack drums are upright or horizontally
● In case of rack drums, the maximum rack height
● Mix or singular drum contents
● Drum TUMBLER; establishing whether used for vigorous or gentle mix inside drum

Step 3: Choosing the Drum Handler

Now, it is time to choose the drum handler, based on the work atmosphere, largeness of the workspace and considering the previous factors;

● Considering the Type of drum handler form fully manual handlers or mechanical handlers
● Existence or lack of forklift attachment, or barrel lifting clamp
● Featuring Below-Hook Drum Handler or Barrel Hoists
● Stationary or Mobile Drum Handler
● Powered or Manual Drum Handler & drum elevators
● In case of requiring powered Models; Battery powered, Air powered, Plug-in electric powered, or hydraulic drum lifter.
● Vertical drum lifters or horizontal Morse lifters
● In case of plug-in powered drum handlers, establishing the Phase, Voltage and Hz of power supply
● Industrial regulations to be a Stainless Steel Drum Handling Equipment (in case of food, pharma and chemical applications)
● Spark Resistant Drum Handling Equipment for hazardous areas

After establishing all these factors, and assessment of your workplace, it is easy to highlight the exact drum handler you require that meets all your professional demands.

Additional Tips for Safe Drum Handling

● Training
Drums are hazardous elements, and industries that handle drums on a regular basis must follow safety regulations. Besides selecting the right drum handler, employees must be trained to perform safety procedures both for proper handling and in case of accidents.

● Safety Data Sheet
Keeping a Material Safety Data Sheet on the drum helps prevent the wrong handling of this equipment significantly. The sheet should include visual coloring that has already been a part of the operator’s training to act as a quick and practical reminder.

● PPE
Personal protection equipment must be combined with technical safety aspects such as choosing the right handler for prevention of any unwanted injuries such as chemical burns followed by splashes. Safety goggles, right clothing, gloves, and steel toed boots are the most important PPE when handling drums.

● Lighting
Industrial spaces must be well lit to prevent visual miscalculations that are often followed by accidents.

Contact Us Today

For further assessment of your drums and workplace, our field experts are available to offer you the right advice to choose the right drum handler. RAAH Safety also provides world-class Morse drums, manual drum handlers or fully mechanized drum handling equipment. Order Today and get advantages of our discounts on bulk purchases.