Timber Stacking in Ports

Creel Maritime Safety Bulletin

A recent quayside event emphasised the importance of operational pre-planning when stacking timber in ports.

Timber at this port had not been block-stacked correctly as the stanchions had been placed too far apart, roundwood timber was not squared-off / butted square on a regular interval and stacks were created in rows outside the reach of the stevedores handling machine. This resulted in a health and safety issue for all port users and the crane operator when loading the vessel.

Recommendations include: plan the stacking arrangement; use caution when stacking, always block-stack with no gaps between rows; and raise any concerns while monitoring the stacks.