14 Pallets West
20 WESTERN PALLET
The NWPCA compliance manual is organized with a brief introduction, a guide for supervisors, examples, and an extensive appendix. The guide provides the ‘meat’ of what a supervisor needs to know to come into compliance.
Although the NWPCA could sell the publication, it is making it available for free. It also is taking the unusual step of making it available for nonmembers -- also at no charge.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of employees, people in the community, and first responders,” said Brad. “Our goal is to reduce fires in order to show the fire safety community that the industry is doing its part.”
The NWPCA has a campaign and communications effort to reach nonmembers and share the manual with them through email, website promotion, social media and direct mail.
The association has received over 200 requests from the manual already. “We feel enthused about the response we’re getting,” said Brad.
Fire officials are monitoring the NWPCA’s progress, he suggested, because the association is reporting its progress to the code community.
The NWPCA’s work developing the manual was commended by the International Code Council, noted Brad.
Nothing is more important than the safety of employees, people in the community, and first responders
The NWPCA has tabulated 2,000 unique website page views -- which would represent about 2,000 different individuals -- related to the manual, “which is fantastic,” said Brad. “This is a great number to me. It’s very promising...The industry is taking this seriously. I’m very optimistic about the initial response.”
During a question-and-answer period, Brad reiterated that the biggest ignition source of fires at pallet plants is debris. “This is an area where the manual can help. There are checklists inside to download for your safety managers/plant supervisors, to start implementing right away.”
A member of the audience who represented an insurance agency suggested that pallet company owners and managers get their insurance company involved in fire safety and code compliance. They will provide free services to help a company develop policies and procedures specific to their location, he said.