Without inspectors and various safety professionals, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) could not exist, so their views on warehouse racking barriers is extremely important. From the start of its existance in 1974, HSE has had a positive impact on the conditions for millions of workers around the UK. Due to this, incidents in the workplace have dropped significantly (85%).
However, HSE is very much aware of the remaining work that is to be done. Due to this belief of consistent changes and improvements, HSE hold extremely high standards. Their stance on warehouse racking barriers is an example of how high their standards are. Though the purpose of these metal plates is to ensure that all warehouse racking systems are fully protected, they can also be a hazard to the workplace when used incorrectly.
What are warehouse racking inspectors?
Both HSE inspectors and SARI inspectors believe the same thing when looking at the safety of warehouse racking, especially when referring to racking barriers. In most cases, these protectors are installed next to an upright. The SARI and HSE stance on warehouse racking barriers was made very clear at the SEMA conference back in 2015.
Though it is their purpose to keep a racking system protected, they have a common issue with being relied on more than they should. Many warehouse workers make the mistake of treating warehouse racking barriers like they would with goggles. As Goggles are there to keep your eyes protected from whatever may hit them, warehouse racking barriers should protect a racking system from inevitable collisions, but this isn’t necessarily the case.
Change your perspective of warehouse racking barrier
Collisions with warehouse racking barriers are not inevitable, and they should simply be avoided as much as they possibly can. Operating with the idea in mind that a warehouse racking barrier will be used is wrong.
The best way for workers to view warehouse racking protectors is to treat them as though they are bike helmets. Though a helmet is designed to keep a persons’ head protected in case of a crash, it doesn’t they will keep you safe no matter what. Warehouse racking barriers are designed to protect a racking system if a collision is to occur, not when.
Though both are very important for their purpose, they are to be a last resort. A helmet is not the best way to keep a cyclist protected but being aware of road safety is, and the frame of this idea is applicable to protecting your warehouse racking. A warehouse racking barrier is only a last resort, and general racking safety awareness should be implemented on a day to day basis.
Contact Monarch Shelving
If you want to make sure you have the best barriers for your warehouse racking and to keep in line with HSE then look no further. Contact Monarch Shelving Ltd today to see what we can do for your warehouse. You can also look at our warehouse racking barriers to see what you think may work best for your warehouse storage.
