When was the last time your warehouse storage racks underwent an inspection? If you’re wondering what that means, then you definitely need to read this article.
Your warehouse racking system needs to be independently inspected to ensure its integrity and safety. Done regularly, it minimizes the effects of forklift collisions and dropped loads, and reduced the chances ofemployee injuries or damaged goods.
Yes, mishaps do happen; forklifts do hit racks and loads are often kept less-than-gently on a rack. A responsible management response should be to immediately call for an inspection of the affected parts. Unfortunately, more often than not, all that is done with teardrop pallet rack grand prairie tx a cursory visual inspection as though that alone can confirm the racks structural integrity.
Warehouse operations that have a high degree of activity must have trained and competent rack safety personnel on their payroll. If there is ever an accident involving warehouse racking, the first thing to do is to check the struck area to identify any potential dangers of collapse.
To avoid any potential risk of injury to personnel or goods, warehouse managers must follow these general storage rack safety inspection checklist and guidelines:
Racking design and materials handling equipment
Storage racksmust be designed for the size,shape and weight of the items that will be stored. Racking design has to be compatible with the pallets and also with the materials handling equipment. Ensure aisle width can accommodate the turning radius of the forklift or other materials handling equipment.
Safe working loads
Ensure your warehouse racking system is not overloaded. Stick to the specified Safe Working Limit (SWL). Educate workers loading the racks are aware of its SWL.
Have prominent signs indicating rack manufacturer’s name and permitted safe working loads. Also provide suitable training to workers regards the meaning of these safety signs.
Altering the racking design or components
Do not make any physical alterations to beams, uprights, bracingsor other components. Any replacements that need to be made must be with only compatible parts and a thorough integrity check must be made post these replacements.
Operating instructions
Set down strict procedures to ensure operations are conducted safely with regard to the racking design, its load and capability of warehouse equipment. Place operating instructions that include the correct application and use of the equipment, safe and permitted working loads andstrict prohibitions on alterations.
Goods to be stored in racking
The pallet design should take into consideration the type of goods to be placed on it. Under no circumstances should the design be changed. If the design needs to be changed, ensure the new design can support the weight of the products, and at no time will the goods get dislodged.This assessment must be done by a qualified and competent person.
The key areas to be considered during pallet design are:
-Not shifting from woodenpallets to post pallets where the legs do not key into the racking
-Not using pallets larger than permissible in double pallet rackingsinceit can create overlap or push pallets behind off their supports
-Not using smaller pallets as they can drop through the supports
-Not using skid pallets in the absence of timber decksas it can cause pallets to drop through
-Loose boxes, cartons, etc. should be secured by wrapping or straps to prevent them from falling
Collision protection
Ensure that the lower portions of frames that are exposed to possible collisions by forklifts or other moving equipment are adequately protected with post protectors.
Damage reporting
Employees must report any damage or near-missoccurrences, however minor. Supervisorscan take the onus of checking on the safety of the pallet structure and eliminate hazards or risks, if any.
Before you leave, a checklist for rack inspection:
- Safe working limits
- -Are rack load signs posted?
- Uprights and footplates
- -Are uprights damaged?
- -Are splices in good condition?
- Out of Plumb Racking
- -Is the racking vertical?
- Braces
- -Are racking braces damaged?
- -Are floor anchors installed?
- Beams
- -Are beams overloaded?
- -Are beams damaged?
- -Are beam connectors or safety clips missing?
- -Has a beam popped out of its upright?
- -Are welds damaged?
