If you use large industrial packaging such as bulk bags to transport your goods around the country, you need to find out how get them from A to B in the safest and most efficient way possible.

Moving bulk bags – which are also known as flexible intermediate bulk containers, or FIBCs – is fairly simple when you know how. However, there are certain rules you should follow, in order to ensure your goods are not damaged and your customers receive their delivery in the same condition it was in when it left your warehouse or factory.

Whether you’re transporting cereals, gravel, sand, fertiliser or flour, it is of the utmost importance that there are no spills during the transportation and that your bulk bags are safely delivered without being torn or tipped at any stage of their journey.

In addition, of course, you want to make sure the people delivering your goods, whether that’s your own staff or someone else’s, are kept safe at all times, without risks.

So how do you keep both your goods and those involved in transporting them safe?

The first thing to bear in mind is that you should always follow any instructions or recommendations printed on your industrial packaging. These instructions are not there for fun but provide important information about your particular bulk bags and how they should be handled.

When full, all bulk bags should be moved and carried using the correct piece of equipment. For instance, when putting FIBCs onto a ship’s cargo hold, forklifts rather than cranes must be used, in order to avoid scraping the bags against the side or opening of the ship.

Stacking filled bulk bags safely is also an important consideration. If they must be stacked, FIBCs should be stacked in one of two ways: the pyramid method involves placing the bags in ever-growing layers, with each bag resting on, at the very least, four bags below it.

The bulk bags should be tiered to form a pyramid structure. The other method involves supporting the bags against two walls, which must be sufficiently strong to provide stability to the pile of bags. Even distribution is key when the bags are being put into any containers, and there should never be gaps between bags.

It perhaps goes without saying that bulk bags should always be stowed in a stable way. To avoid any tears, they should never be packed with other cargo which has rough surfaces or sharp edges, and, similarly, if the bags are being kept on a dockside or in another storage area, there must not be any metal, wood or stones around which could pierce the bags.

Bulk bags can also be damaged or spilled through sudden movements, so care should be taken not to start or stop suddenly while transporting the bags from one place to another.

Finally, used bulk bags should not be reused unless they are suitable for reuse. If you are reusing a bag, make sure you check it for damage before filling it, as spillages can be costly.

If you need any advice on Bulk Bags call 01335 344215 we will be happy to help you with your query.