On the face if it, you may not notice that parts of your pallet racking may need replacing but on a daily basis there will be forms of wear and tear from minor bumps or scrapes from forklifts, hand trucks and other vehicles. Sometimes accidental overloading can cause stress on your systems that is not obvious and may result in a weakening of your systems.
Any of these factors can make your racking system unsafe – they can affect the structure and its load bearing capacity – ultimately making your warehouse unsafe and jeopardising the welfare of your staff.
What if I don’t get my pallet racking inspected?
Unsafe or damaged racking systems present high risks, a first or even second time impact or overload may not give rise to a collapse, but an increase in strain, in particular on load-bearing areas, means that eventually the risk of failure is significant.
As an employer YOU are responsible for warehouse safety and should your pallet racking systems collapse you MUST consider that the following could happen:
- Potentially, injury or loss of life can occur
- Normal working hours will be disrupted
- Products stored may be damaged or written off
- Business productivity – and profitability – will be affected
- Costs can include; fines, compensation claims and legal expenses
- Prison sentences can be handed out in the worst cases
- You could go out of business as a result of the above
What should I do if my pallet racking system is damaged?
Order an immediate racking inspection to be carried out by an experienced SEMA independent expert. If the affected area is at severe risk it is always advised that you seal off the affected areas until they are declared safe.
So many suppliers, what should I look for when choosing a racking inspection supplier?
It is important that the supplier you choose is experienced with multiple types of warehouse operations and environments, and be familiar with the various pallet racking manufacturers. An experienced inspector will use original, manufacturer- supplied design manuals and loading charts when assessing your racking. The inspector will also be able to understand the levels of racking damage tolerance and verify that your racking is being operated within its design capacity and meets the required standards.
How often should I have a pallet racking inspection?
PUWER states that pallet racking inspections should be undertaken on a ‘regular’ basis by a competent individual. Your warehouse should have procedures in place as soon as any damage occurs;
a) for damage prevention
b) for reporting damage as soon as it occurs
Based on the level and type of activity within your warehouse employers should decide on the frequency and type of inspection required.
Warehouses that are busy and have a high turnover of products will need inspecting more regularly than warehouse environments that are more slow paced and have limited access, these types of environments may only require an inspection once every six months or some even just annually.
What should I expect to see in my racking inspection report?
*A good racking inspection service takes into consideration a number of checks and tests to ensure your racking complies with all the regulations it should, we will provide a description of the areas assessed and highlight any risks that are found, where the risk(s) is located, recommendations on remedial action, advice and guidance on racking maintenance.
Racking inspection isn’t a nice to have, it’s a necessity, it will prevent unnecessary risks and potentially save lives and keep your business running. Be safe.
*PUWER – http://www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery/puwer.htm
