Steel pallet racks are as critical to your warehouse operation as the employees that work within it. Unfortunately, these essential structures are often neglected after installation, creating potentially deadly occupational health and safety risks as well as costly property damage.

Without comprehensive pallet racking inspections and self-assessments serious accidents from faulty or damaged racks are likely to occur.

However, as we’ll see businesses can drastically increase safety in their warehouses by pre-emptively addressing these five common but critical pallet rack safety hazards.

Physical damage to the pallet rack

Often this damage occurs from lift truck collisions. Sufficient clearance space and clear aisles are both great ways to prevent this kind of damage. Always encourage employees to promptly report all minor impacts or observable damage.

Misaligned Racking Safety Hazard

This can cause collapse or failure of your pallet racking system. During inspection, use the manufacturer’s instructions to check that racks are properly aligned, plum, and level.

Loose Floor Fittings

Uprights need to be bottom-anchored to the floor with column base plates secured by anchor bolts.

Suitability of forklift truck

Your material handling equipment and pallet jacks should be sized to meet your needs.

Weight of stored goods versus capacity of racking system

To prevent dangerously overloaded racks, you should display clear and concise load notices at all times.

Get in Touch with Advanced Handling & Storage

In the end, whether your racks are damaged, overloaded, improperly anchored or misaligned, they’re a serious safety hazard that can result in serious injury. Warehouse managers should develop a thorough maintenance and inspection program and be liberal with safety audits that include everything from pallet rack signage all the way up your material handling equipment.

If you need to ensure your warehouse is safe, then get in touch to book in a safety inspection of your warehouse! Call us on 0800 345 7088 or send an email to [email protected]