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Pallet networks are having to tighten up their operations following the introduction of new measures by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). As part of its national Moving Goods Safely (MGS) campaign, the HSE has visited all nine pallet network hubs in order to draw up best practice guidelines for the sector. According to Janice Dale, HM inspector of health and safety, the HSE has wanted to focus on the pallet sector for some years. She says: "We've had involvement with the Association of  Pallet Networks (APN) since it was set up in 2006, but have been work-ing more formally with APN over the past few months."

APN initially drew up guidelines of its own as a starting point for the HSE. "We then inspected the pallet hubs to establish how they operated and what improvements could be made," says Dale. The hubs were given a two-week window when they could expect a visit from the HSE. "All the visits were made at night to catch the hubs at their busiest," adds Dale. Following the visits, Dale and her team drew up several standards they felt should be introduced. The measures were put to APN and its members at a meeting in Birmingham three weeks ago.

"We now have a list of measures and best practice that will not only help pallet firms, but also aid the HSE with future hub inspections," says Dale. However, one measure is being rigidly enforced - that of absolute segregation of vehicles and pedestrians at all pallet hubs. Paul Sanders, chairman of APN, says: "Most  of our members actually operate a policy of segregating vehicles and pedestrians, but those that don't are reorganising their sites in order to comply with this new standard."

Another measure states that if vehicles leave their engines running indoors, regular atmo-spheric monitoring should take place to ensure adequate ventilation and no build-up of toxic fumes from exhausts. MT understands the HSE will focus on pallet network members later this year.