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Top 5 Strapping Mistakes That Cost You Time and Money—and How to Avoid Them

In shipping and warehousing, saving money on straps and strapping supplies can make a massive difference in your profit margins. At Strapping-Products.com, we often get questions about common strapping mistakes and how they can be corrected to save time and money and increase workplace safety. Let’s look at five of the most common strapping mistakes: eating into your profits, wasting time, and creating unsafe working environments.

Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Strapping Material

The most common mistake in warehousing and logistics is using the wrong strapping material for the job. At best, this leads to waste and increased costs; at worst, it can lead to a dangerous working environment. Always choose a strap rated for the load you are securing, but avoid using more expensive straps like steel straps for loads that can be safely secured with a more cost-effective strapping material. We recommend keeping a supply of the different types of straps needed for your operations available for your employees and teaching them how to choose the right strapping material for the job.

Mistake #2: Improper Tensioning

Improper strap tensioning can be as bad as choosing the wrong strapping material. Straps that are over-tensioned risk breaking or can even cause damage to your load, leading to more returns and wasted products. Likewise, under-tensioned straps risk falls and damage to the product or injury to your employees. We recommend that you ensure your employees have the proper tensioning tools for all the straps they use and are adequately trained on correctly tensioning straps.

Mistake #3: Skipping Edge Protectors

Edge protectors are essential for loads with sharp edges, as these edges can damage straps or dig into edges, weakening boxes and increasing the risk of product damage. Edge protectors also play an important role in load stability by helping to keep boxes aligned as they are brought under tension by straps. Employees should use edge protectors when applying straps, especially to fragile loads.

Mistake #4: Misusing Strapping Tools

Strapping tools are invaluable when used appropriately and adequately maintained. Your employees need to know that not every strapping tool is compatible with every type of strapping material, and using the wrong strapping tool for the job can lead to unsecured loads or damage to the strapping tool. Strapping tools should also be well-maintained and properly cared for according to their user manual to maximize lifespan and reliability. At Strapping-Products.com, we have strapping tools and strapping material for every job.

Mistake #5: Not Training Staff on Proper Strapping Techniques

The final major mistake we see with strapping is employees who are not adequately trained on how to use straps and strapping tools correctly. Your employees must be taught how to:

  1. Choose the right strap for the job
  2. Use proper strapping techniques
  3. Use the right strapping tool
  4. Know how to stack loads properly
  5. Not waste strapping materials

You can address these issues by having short training sessions for new and seasonal employees, creating strapping standards and practices for your workplace, and reinforcing best strapping practices.

Get Affordable Straps and Strapping Tools at Strapping-Products.com

Strapping-Products.com has a massive inventory of all the straps and strapping tools you need to save money on shipping and logistics. On average, our prices beat out the national competition by 10%, making shopping with us another way to save money on straps and strapping tools. To learn more about our products or to get a quote, contact us today at (888) 803-8140.

 

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