Forklifting

Running a London market bullion vault requires a lot of movement of bars, both in relation to arrivals and dispatches, and also for stock management. The forklift truck is the essential piece of equipment for these tasks, together with the simple but sturdy wooden pallets on which large gold bars are stacked (80 bars per pallet, totalling approximately 1 tonne).

LBMA’s Good Delivery rules provide the requirements for the pallets on which gold bars are shipped. They must be constructed of sturdy wood that is in a good and safe condition. Each pallet should be capable of carrying 1 tonne (the recommended maximum per pallet) and the pallets should be capable of being stacked six high. They should be heat treated, fumigated and carry a mark to prove this, without which the pallets could be rejected by customs. Plastic pallets and pallets constructed from dry, brittle or poor-quality timber are not considered suitable. Bars should be adequately strapped so that if being moved and brought to a sudden halt or subjected to a sudden change of direction, they will not topple with the forward or sideways generated momentum.