What should you do with pallets that are damaged before loading?

• A. Replace with sound pallets and inspect for damage; remove damaged pallets from the area.
• B. Repair on-site and reuse.
• C. Use damaged pallets for light loads.
• D. Ignore minor damage.

Answer: (A)

Before loading, pallets must be in good condition. Damaged pallets can fail under weight, causing dropped loads, injuries, or damage to the goods and forklift. The safest approach is to replace any damaged pallets with sound ones and to inspect for other damage as you go. Remove the damaged pallets from the area so they can’t be used again. Do not repair damaged pallets on-site or reuse them, and never load with damaged pallets or ignore visible damage. This keeps the load stable and the worksite safer for everyone.