Shipping Container Safety Tips
Shipping containers are incredibly useful for storage, equipment, workshops, and a variety of custom applications. But just like any storage space, it’s important to keep safety in mind.
No matter where you live or what the weather is like, here are a few simple shipping container safety tips that can help prevent accidents and keep your container safe and easy to use.
Shipping Container Safety Tips: Simple Ways to Stay Safe
➡️Check for Puppies – and Other Pets: Before closing and locking your container, always make sure your pets aren’t inside.
This has actually happened here before! Pets have a way of following us around without being noticed, and it can be surprisingly easy for them to wander into a container.
During the hot summer months and cold winter months, temperatures inside a closed container can become dangerous very quickly. Always do a quick check before closing the doors.
Tip: Make it a habit to check your container every time you close it—even if you don’t think your pet is nearby.
➡️Keep Door Hinges Lubricated: Your container doors are designed to be tough and durable, but regular maintenance can help keep them operating properly.
Lubricating the door hinges and locking mechanisms periodically can help prevent doors from becoming difficult to open or close. A door that sticks or requires excessive force to operate can become a safety concern.
Read more about Container Door Upkeep.
➡️Make Sure Your Container Has Proper Ventilation: Good ventilation is important, especially during the hot summer months.
A closed shipping container can become extremely hot, and without adequate ventilation, entering the container may be uncomfortable or potentially hazardous. Proper ventilation can also help reduce condensation and moisture buildup inside the container.
If you use your container to store items that are sensitive to moisture or temperature, ventilation is especially important.
Read more about Container Vents and Fresh Air.
➡️Don’t Forget About Lighting: Not all containers have access to electricity to provide lighting. If not, there are natural lighting and solar lighting options.
Adding lighting to your container can make it much easier and safer to find stored items, move equipment, and work inside the space. Depending on your setup, options can include electrical lighting, solar lighting, or even natural light.
See our blog about Skylights & Natural Lighting. Having lighting can help reduce accidents!
➡️Don’t Store Items on Top of Your Container: The roof of a shipping container may look like convenient extra storage space, but it isn’t designed to be a general-purpose storage platform.
Adding unnecessary weight to the roof can place additional stress on the container and may compromise its structure. Items stored on top can also shift or fall, creating a potential hazard for anyone walking or working nearby.
When in doubt, keep your storage inside the container and off the roof.
➡️Stack Heavy Items on the Bottom: When loading your container, use the same basic rule you would use when packing a truck or moving van: heavy items go on the bottom and lighter items go on top.
Placing heavy objects on top of lighter items can crush the items underneath, while improperly stacked materials can shift or fall over.
Whenever possible:
- Place heavy items on the bottom.
- Keep lighter items on top.
- Distribute weight evenly throughout the container.
- Secure items that could shift or fall.
- Keep walkways and access to the doors clear.
A little extra organization when loading your container can make it much safer to use later.
A Few Simple Safety Habits Can Make a Big Difference
Shipping containers are built to be durable, secure, and versatile, but taking a few simple precautions can help you get the most out of yours while avoiding unnecessary accidents.
- Before you close the doors, check for pets.
- Keep the doors and hinges maintained.
- Make sure you have adequate ventilation and lighting.
- Avoid unnecessary storage on the roof.
- And when loading, put the heavy items on the bottom.
These simple habits only take a few minutes but can make a big difference in keeping your container safe for you, your family, employees, and anyone else who uses it.
Have any shipping container safety tips we missed? Let us know! We’d love to hear what you do to keep your container safe.
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