Once you have pallet racking designed and installed by experts into your warehouse space, how often is someone delegated to check on it to make sure it is safe and free from damage by making pallet racking inspections?
Most of you probably are thinking hard right now as to who that could be within the business, with the answer being suddenly made apparent that it is no one. That means that potential damage is also overlooked and unreported. This would then result in a nasty surprise whenever those health and safety officials show up, or worse; tragedy happens.
In an ideal world, every company would have a regular racking inspection by a technically competent person that would be recorded. Independent inspections would also take place to present a report identifying all risks, misuses and damage and a proposal to get it fixed.
What does an Inspection Involve?
Pallet racking is generally manufactured from lightweight materials which means that every kind of racking has its limit when it comes to abuse.
The risk from the odd forklift incident can greatly reduce the load-bearing capacity and the reliability of its strength in support. To combat this the racking requires a regular circle of inspection to report on its safety and serviceability. As soon as any incident occurs, it needs to be reported by an employee and inspected instantly, using a system in place to log any incident for future reference. A formal written record would usually be composed following any inspection, with follow up inspections should the first inspection seem to indicate no immediate damage.
Ground-level investigations are the usual unless the damage has been done higher up in the structure. Falling product from a compromised pallet racking system is just as deadly as a full structure collapse, so accidents that occur higher should be treated as no less hazardous.
Actions Following Incident
If damage has occurred you will need to cordon off the area from your workforce, even if picking is required of products. Structural damage can cause instant problems and there is no telling how long the racking can withstand the pressure.
Even though just one section is damaged, it could lead to a full structure collapse if they are all connected causing considerable human risk. Operations should be considered in cautiously moving stock out of the area with as little human element as possible.
Naturally, the pallet racking will need to be replaced with a new system and an operational procedure should be implemented in order to safely work around the risk area, ensuring every employee not only understands the risk factor but also knows how to evacuate in the case of a collapse.
For all pallet racking inspections information and industrial storage racks requirements, contact the team at Monarch Shelving.
