Fibre drums are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly industrial packaging option. Surprisingly robust and long-lasting, fibre drums can be used to store and transport everything from food and drink to chemicals and hazardous waste.
But while fibre drums are hardwearing and protective, it’s important that your goods and products are always packed and stored safely. If you’re considering switching to fibre drums, the expert team at ITP Packaging is here to explain how to package your products safely in fibre drums.
1. Determine the Type of Fibre Drum You Need
The first step when packaging products safely in fibre drums is to ensure you’ve picked the right type of fibre drum for your needs. All fibre drums are produced using an industrial-strength form of cardboard commonly known as kraft paper, but there are many different sizes and designs to choose between.
The most important consideration is the capacity of the fibre drum. For safety, it’s important to choose drums that are a suitable size for the quantity or volume of goods you need to store. If drums are too large or if they are overfilled, they might be difficult or dangerous to transport.
Fibre drums usually come in the following sizes:
- 26 litre
- 48 litre
- 75 litre
- 120 litre
- 200 litre
If you’re storing goods outside, then you’ll also need to consider purchasing waterproof fibre drums. If you are transporting liquids, then a secure plastic lid with a lever lock is more appropriate than a fibre drum with a basic fibre lid.
2. Be Careful Not to Overfill
Once you’ve selected the best fibre drums for your needs, it’s time to fill them up. When filling fibre drums however, it’s important to be careful. Adding a lot of liquid to a drum too quickly can cause it to overflow. This is not only inconvenient, but it’s a potential health and safety hazard.
It’s important to ensure there’s enough space for the lid to close and for the fibre drum to be securely shut. Bulky or oversized goods may cause trouble when trying to close the drum, or adding too much liquid to the drum may cause the contents to spill over when the lever lock is closed tight.
3. Always Label Your Fibre Drums
Fibre drums should always carry correct labelling to help handlers identify the goods inside and to help with health and safety. Fibre drums that contain hazardous or flammable products should always be labelled with warning symbols, while anything that might break easily should be clearly labelled as fragile.
High quality printed paper labels should always be used; this stops the labelling from falling off during transport. It might also be useful for companies to label their fibre drums with company logos or branding to help products quickly be identified. Branded labelling is also an extra opportunity for businesses to advertise their products when goods are in storage or transit.
4. Ensure the Lid Is Tightly Secured
It might sound like a simple tip, but it’s so important to ensure that the lid is tightly secured!
Different fibre drums have different locking systems, but the most common is the lever lock. This is a secure, metal closing lock that will remain tightly sealed and is guaranteed to keep your products inside the drum during transport.
Other security measures include closing fibre drums with cable locks, adding protective covers, or keeping goods protected inside the drum by storing them inside drum liners.
5. Pack Fibre Drums in a Safe and Secure Area
Health and safety is an important consideration when packing products into fibre drums. As well as making sure the goods are packed safely, you need to ensure that fibre drums are packed in a safe and secure area.
It may be useful to undertake a risk assessment before packing begins. Identify any potential hazards in the packing area, provide staff with health and safety equipment, and have contingency plans ready in the event of an accident.
Contact ITP Packaging Today to Find Out More About Fibre Drums
Fibre drums are an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional industrial packaging, but it’s important to package your products safely to ensure they’re well protected. The friendly staff at ITP Packaging are happy to answer any queries about fibre drums and explain the safest ways to use them.
If you’d like to know more about safely packaging products in fibre drums or if you’d like to place an order, don’t hesitate to contact our expert staff today.
