Wood Box Alternative
Our boxes and bins are supposed to be rated. I know that some people aren’t there yet. OSHA 1926.251 requires it. Straps don’t change this requirement. The straps don’t hold containers together. If the container is just going to fall apart, then the straps are pointless. The box needs a rating despite that not being the universal practice.
Example of a box not being up to the task of protecting others.
An alternative to building boxes and feeling they are good is using a rated structure that can be fitted as a box with tools from the manufacturer. We do that. Our round four post pallets have board holders that allow you to put sides on them with 1” boards or plywood. Of course we have steel plate and mesh options too, but the expense of shipping can be a deterrent. Our four posts can be shipped stacked densely to mitigate costs. So instead of paying $400 for a plastic bin without a rating, we end up in the $300 range for a steel frame that’s rated with lifting points built in.
1311 four Post Stillage with Lifting Links rated at 3300 lbs.
Board Holders slide over the posts and lock in boards.
Board Holder in place
Stacking 20 where 2 boxes might be more common to save on shipping
If you agree that it’s time we stop using plastic boxes and unrated wood boxes to fly items overhead, we can help. If you are a mechanical contractor that looks and sees thousands of dollars in plastic bins in your stock and you don’t want to get rid of them, what you can do is just slowly transition. Use the plastic in non-crane rated settings until they age out with embrittlement. But use the four post racks for all of the potential crane applications. You’ll save money just in replacements. You’ll save money in crane and rigging time and not need to even own or supply slings anymore. The racks will last far longer than plastic. And you’ll save in risks in not having wood cellulose and nails being the determination of what’s safe and unsafe.
Wood Boxes in field
Plastic totes rated for forklifts. Not rated for crane use.
