As any responsible warehouse operative or manager would agree, nothing matters more than health and safety. Efficiency and performance are all well and good, but mean nothing if the safety of the workforce is not adequately managed. 

When working in a facility that utilises pallets and pallet racks, there will always be certain risks that need to be taken into account. Pallet racking can be both packed with heavy items and stacked to towering heights – overlooking the obvious risks can therefore be extremely dangerous. That said, all risks and threats can be kept under control, simply by taking a proactive approach to health and safety.

Pallet Rack Collapses

There are three primary reasons why pallet racking may collapse or fall over.  The first of these – which is also the most common – is that the racking has been used in an inappropriate manner. For example, pallets too big or heavy been loaded onto the racking. For obvious reasons, anything that is too heavy, cumbersome or unsuitable in any way for the pallet racking being used immediately and significantly increases the likelihood of catastrophic failure.

In addition, there’s the risk associated with forklift operators colliding directly with the racking, which can likewise cause accidents. This is particularly so in the case of racking that is in any way unstable, or not appropriately fixed to walls/floors for stability.

The third common cause is that of simple safe working regulations being overlooked or ignored by the workforce in general. If those working with pallet racking on a daily basis are not fully familiarised with all essential health and safety rules and guidelines, it’s simply a matter of time before things go wrong.

Damaged Racking

It’s also possible for everyday damage or wear and tear to contribute to dangerous incidents and accidents, involving pallet racking. Over time, it’s inevitable that such units and their various components will need to be repaired or replaced accordingly. On the plus side, creating a culture of on-going awareness wherein the integrity of all racking systems is inspected and evaluated on a regular basis can help avoid this particular problem.

Using the Wrong Racks

Different pallet racks are created for different purposes. Whether it’s the size, weight or shape of the pallets being used, using the wrong type of racking can be fundamentally hazardous in its own right. Which is precisely why it is critically important to ensure you buy the right racking in the first place, rather than simply picking up the first items that present themselves and assuming they will get the job done just fine.

Expert Installation

Last but not least, while it may constitute an additional cost, there’s much to be said for the value that comes with expert installation services. Unless you know exactly what you are doing and have plenty of experience, you may not be able to personally guarantee that the installation you go about yourself produces safe results. If you are looking to create the safest possible environment for you and the rest of the workforce alike, expert installation is an advisable option.