Safety & Handling

2018 Study done on safety issues with containers using super sacks.

Even with the best employee training and the best equipment for storing, moving and unloading powdered chemicals and plastics the process of handling multiple smaller bags such as super sacks will always have one big disadvantage in comparison to handling the same materials in lined containers: The Law of Averages.

Everything that can possibly and reasonably happen can be expressed as a probability. And the probability of an accident occurring when powdered chemicals and plastics are unloaded is not zero. As a result, since the probability of an accident occurring during unloading is greater than zero---if enough containers are unloaded then sooner or later an accident is likely to occur.

The expected number of accidents that might occur during unloading can be expressed as:

P (probability of an accident during unloading) X N (number of times unloading)
Using the example of 10 million lbs. (4,536 tons) of product unloaded per year:
Lined Containers containing 20 metric tons each = N = 227 times unloading per year
Containers containing 20 1-ton super sacks each = N = 4,536 times unloading per year

Note: Unloading is defined as each container or super sack, regardless of weight, that is unloaded.

Using the above example, unloading the same 10 million lbs. (4,536 tons) per year in super sacks instead of lined containers means the chances of an accident using super sacks is 20 times higher than it has to be if a lined container unloading system can be used in place of super sacks.

Using the remote control included with the container unloader, the entire unloading process can be safely completed by a single operator - thereby minimizing labor costs. For those companies who need to unload their material slowly or at a certain time in the future, full containers can be stored on the container unloader and unloaded when necessary.

But the chances of an accident occurring when unloading super sacks is even higher than just the larger number of containers (as super sacks) being unloaded. Accidents with super sacks can occur due to these and other failures of super sack selection, employee training, loading or unloading performance or unloading equipment suitability:

Improper filling of super sacks at origin
Improper use of super sacks not designed to carry hazardous powders
Overloaded super sacks bursting without notice in the container, in the warehouse or during movement of super sacks
Improper super sack closures or improper use of closures leading to accidental opening of supersacks in the container, in the warehouse or during movement of super sacks
Employee fingers getting tangled and injured in super sack closures or handling loops
Improper training of warehouse handling employees and unloaders
Improper unloading equipment, including forklifts and bag suspension equipment
Improper ventilation systems and protective equipment for employees in enclosed areas
Improper cleaning and sanitation in and around unloading areas
Super sacks shifting and falling in warehouse storage areas
Employee falls or strains while reaching for or re-arranging stacked super sacksSuper sacks tearing or bursting in the container or in the warehouse

Unloading of a lined container is safer because there are fewer places where things can go wrong:

Lined containers eliminate the dangers of stacked super sacks in the warehouse falling, shifting or breaking
There are fewer types of employees to train (unloaders only instead of unloaders and warehouse personnel)
Unloading is quicker, which reduces the chances of employee inattention causing accidents.

The American International Inc. system is specifically designed for unloading lined containers, while forklift tines and unloading systems for super sacks often have to be modified from standard designs in order to perform safely.

The Costs of Unloading Accidents

The highest responsibility of any company is to make sure that its employees have a safe work environment. No one wants to see an employee injured or worse. But there are also other practical cost considerations:
In the United States employee injuries reduce productivity due to lost-time accidents
U.S. employers’ worker’s compensation insurance rates increase with the number of accidents at a company
And the federal agency responsible for worker safety in the U.S., OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration,) can cause unsafe companies to pay financial penalties or even refer them to the courts for criminal prosecution in cases of accidents or death that they consider to be the result of gross negligence

Though workplace safety and insurance regulations vary from country to country, most countries have safety regulators that can financially penalize unsafe companies or refer unsafe companies, responsible employees or owners to the courts for criminal prosecution.

Instead of always relying on expensive and hard to find tilting trailers, American International Unloaders or Tilters allow for immediate and controlled unloading of shipping containers.

Lower Labor Costs: using a single operator .
No Contamination Risks: containers can be unloaded directly into silo./storage
No More Tilting Trailers: no more looking for hard to find and expensive tilting trailers.
Safer: can be operated with one controller.one operator and options for safety hoops and safety tie down chain for extreme full tilt over 45 Degree tilt
More Convenient: unload containers when you want.
More Control: control unloading speed by adjusting tilt angle.
Easier To Store Containers: allows you to store container in tilter and unload over a longer period of time.
Adverse weather Protection: Snow protector , at the top of container, prevents snow slide during tilting

We build and manufacture all types of truck/container, trailer tippers (hydraulic container tippers) for the plastics, wood chip, silica, food products, sugar, peanut, grain, rice, coffee, soya bean and cotton industries.