Pallet rack systems are heavy-duty steel structures that allow goods to be stored in a safe, durable and efficient manner. Since these structures carry loads that may be fragile, expensive or even dangerously heavy, it is important to make sure your pallet racking is in good working order. Un-repaired damage and bad maintenance can damage valuable stock and lead to injuries among employees! Although pallet-racking collapse might be rare, let us not forget it can be extremely disastrous. For this reason, it is important to take measures to ensure your pallet rack systems are safe. Here are some simple yet effective tips to prevent damage, and ultimately, pallet rack failure:
Choose Your Pallet Racking Carefully
There are different types and styles of pallet racking available on the market. Understanding your product and production and storage system requirements, will allow you to choose the correct type pf pallet racking system to fit your needs. When choosing pallet racking, you need to keep these key factors in mind: total area involved, handling methods, production requirements, and of course, the product.
Avoid Overloading Your Racks
Loading your pallet racks with more product than it has originally been designed to handle will not only damage the structure, but also lead to eventual failure. According to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), pallet racks throughout a warehouse should display a sign that indicates the maximum weight the rack can carry.
Provide Safety Training for Employees
As your pallet racks are used, they undergo inevitable wear and tear. Moreover, with forklifts moving around the warehouse, bends and dents are likely to be created, lowering the total load bearing capacity of the pallet racking system. By providing your employees with comprehensive safety training, however, these issues can be avoided.
Never Make Changes to Your Racking without Expert Guidance
Although pallet-racking systems may look simple, it is extremely important that you do not make changes or adjustments to its design without expert guidance. You should think of pallet racks as a system that is bound to fail if it is not used as it was intended (and designed) to be. Removing or altering beams can affect the load-bearing capabilities and structural stability of your pallet racking, therefore do not make any changes to them as they may cause possible collapses and accidents.
Perform Scheduled Inspections
It is important to schedule routine pallet rack inspection, looking for damage to uprights and beams that needs to be repaired, before failure can occur. That is about it! Keep the aforementioned tips in mind, and you will be able to keep your
pallet racking systems safe, and increase its life span for years to come.
