Pallet racking is an integral part of warehouse operations and material storage throughout a plant. Damage can occur to your racking at any time and when it happens, it compromises the safety of your employees. No matter the type of business or product you store, it is important to have a pallet rack damage inspection and maintenance plan in place for your pallet racking. It is recommended that a third-party pallet rack inspection service conduct annual inspections of your warehouse.
Damaged Racking Can Easily Go Unnoticed
Damage to the racking system is commonly caused by forklifts loading and unloading the racking or traversing through the system. Factors such as high traffic in the system, narrow aisles, poor forklift operator training, and changes in the product stored can put your racking at a higher risk of damage.
It is common for a damaged rack to be left in service either because the damage seems minor and is not addressed or the damage simply goes unnoticed by the untrained eye. Internal quarterly pallet rack safety inspections can be conducted using a racking inspection checklist. However, having your pallet rack system inspected by a professional, damage to your racking can be identified and addressed in a timely manner before it becomes a major hazard.
Inspections Can Help Reduce Employer Liability
Safety in the workplace is a very high priority for companies, but when racking is not well-maintained, you risk not only causing damage to materials that fall but also injuring employees. If an accident or a major event such as a rack collapse, were to occur due to damaged racking, your company could be held liable for not resolving an unsafe condition.
Keeping your pallet racks maintained through regular inspections should be part of your facilities planned maintenance. It is helpful to have internal warehouse racking regulations as guidance for employees to follow if they conduct an inspection or notice new damage. These steps can help to keep your inventory and employees safe, reducing your liability if an accident were to occur.
Schedule a Professional Pallet Rack Inspection with Cranston
Although it may be tempting to inspect the racking on your own, using a professional rack inspector with the experience to know what to look for is the best way to ensure that damaged components are identified. This allows you to receive a report that details what actions need to be taken to maintain the structural integrity of your system.
During a pallet racking inspection, Cranston Material Handling Equipment will thoroughly inspect each component of the racking to check for any bent, missing, or broken parts and to see if the safety clips or bolts are in place and properly engaged. The components that are examined include:
- Anchors
- Baseplates
- Safety guards
- Uprights
- Beams
- Wire deck or pallet supports
- Safety bolts and safety clips
The racking is also examined to ensure it is being used and loaded correctly. Once the inspection is complete, a detailed report is generated noting what components are damaged and if any of the pallets were loaded incorrectly. Recommendations for repair, replacement, or other corrective measures will also be made.
Complete our pallet rack inspection form to receive a custom quote on an inspection of your pallet rack system, learn more about our services and how we can help you create a safer work environment.
