Page 17 - FM_Playbook

1. BEST PRACTICES: SOFT PLASTIC
1E. Wrapping a pallet - Color contrast Appropriate wrapping of a pallet using contrast color wrap helps to ensure that in unwrapping, no wrap is snagged or left behind. If it should snag, the contrast
color helps in detection.
• A film wrap with a thinner gauge may NOT be able to withstand significant force, resulting in more tears and increased risk of damage during shipment. Stretch wrap that is at least 60-gauge is recommended.
• Properly secure the load to the pallet, not just setting the load onto the pallet. This should be part of your standard operating procedure.
• Plastic stretch wrap should first be applied around the base of the pallet, (2.5” – 3.0” is ideal to secure the load to the pallet) and continued upward around the load.
• Wrap overlap by 50% and make sure it’s tight to prevent shifting. Top over-lap should be 2”–3”.
• No film tails. They lead to stretch film unwinding or loads hanging up and getting damaged during handling. Film tails create the risk of film unraveling or pulling products off the pallets.
• Assure that each film-wrap machine setting is recorded or preset to meet the containment force required in your wrapping standard. Include the correct film gauge to reduce or eliminate tears.
• Set a realistic and sustainable wrap force and revolutions of wrap to achieve the desired containment force on the load.
• Know films’ ultimate stretch, machine pre-stretch, and on-pallet stretch. Simply turning up the wrap force to a high level can result in unacceptable film breaks.
Example video of how to manually wrap a pallet.
For measuring stretch wrap effectiveness, please refer to the appendix.