Imagine this scenario: you’re removing steel strapping from a consignment, and upon cutting the straps, they whip forward and cut you in the arm and face. Ouch! An accident on the warehouse floor! Is there any way this could have been avoided?
Well, yes and no. Strapping, in and of itself, is an integral part of operations; strapping can’t be eliminated from the process flow. What are the alternatives, in that case?
Improving Pallet Strapping Safety
An immediate alternative for safety improvement would be to start using a steel strapping safety cutter. One of the most cost-effective solutions is a small pair of cutters with two pieces of rubber under the top jaw, acting as brakes to slow down the tension kickback from the steel. This would reduce the latent energy stored in tensioned steel strap. This is an imperfect alternative, however, as it’s not fool-proof and can still cut workers if the cutters break or fail to function correctly.
Polywoven Strapping Vs Steel Strapping
Polywoven strapping is one of a number of alternatives to steel strap. What’s impressive about polywoven strapping is that the tension that can be achieved with it is excellent. When the strapping is tensioned correctly, the buckle’s prongs squash down and lock the strap in place, ensuring that the strapped pallet stays absolutely firm for the duration of storage and transport.
The standard buckle used with polywoven strapping is the phosphated buckle; the roughness of the steel surface helps to grab the strapping. Another option for polywoven strapping fastening is the ladder buckle, which typically has four bars for the strap to thread through. This achieves great levels of tension when locking the strap. One observation regarding the ladder buckle is that the operator needs to pre-cut the strap before threading the buckle.
Polywoven strapping also has good UV stability; while the colour of the straps may bleach out, the woven fabric retains its integrity.
Flexibility of Poly Strap
Polywoven strapping has more sideways flex than most other straps, which makes it easy to weave through items on a pallet or stillage. That is, if you need to lash down electric motors through their lashing eyes, polywoven works best, as you can simply twist the strap and feed to the left or right then under the pallet. Polywoven strapping is a safe, sturdy, cost-effective, and versatile alternative to steel strapping.
Practical Features of Polywoven Strapping Systems
Polywoven strapping is a versatile non-metallic strapping that has proven to be of high strength in spite of its flexibility. It is the safest alternative to other types of strapping, including steel, composite, cord, and even wire rope, chains, and ratchet straps. Because of its flexible high tenacity polyester yarn that makes it a stronger load-restraint, polywoven strapping eliminates the need for bracing and wood blocking.
Some practical features include:
- Heat and UV resistant
- Ideal for light, medium, or heavy load applications (Take note of the break strength)
- Portable and light
- Easy to use and apply
- High tensile strength
- If needed, customised printing available
- Orange embossed colour available for higher visibility and safety
- High shock absorbency capability
- High buckle joint efficiency
- Cannot damage cargo
- Corrosion resistant, resistant to alkali solutions and diluted acids
- Disposable (Note that proper waste management is needed since PET straps are not biodegradable)
- Will not cut forklift tires even when run over
- Will not split
Whether used for flat racks, bundling, glass strapping, shipping, and other logistics, polywoven strapping is the superior alternative to steel strapping and other cords.
This type of strapping can even be used in the securing of such cargo like lumber, motor vehicles, chemicals and their containers, construction materials and equipment, large shipping and logistics freight, meat, steel transportation, plastics, packaging and engineering materials and equipment.
DAYWALK Poly Strapping for Safer Workplaces
Switch over to polywoven strapping today. Alternatively, have a chat with our team by calling us on 1800 620 941 to learn more about safer, faster and more effective strapping systems.
