If you’re in the warehousing business, you know that it can be a high-risk working environment. Risks go beyond heavy equipment, however. The constant wear and tear on your pallet racks can cause damage that may be easily overlooked. It is essential that you identify any damage to your racking early and either repair or replace the damaged components to reduce avoidable safety hazards.
Pallet racking may be heavy-duty, but that doesn’t mean that they are immune to damage. Some of the most common causes of damage to your racks include:
Work to reduce damage to your warehouse racking systems through effective training programs for your operators and robust maintenance plans for your forklift fleet.
You should conduct regular inspections of your warehouse to identify potential damage that can impact your productivity. For your pallet racking look out for these trouble signs:
Any of these warning signs should be a major red flag. They are a sure sign that you need to identify the cause of the problem, and determine whether to repair or replace your racking systems.
Sometimes, repairing your warehouse racking may make the most business sense. Specific benefits of repairs include:
Ultimately, safety should be your first priority when deciding whether to repair or replace racking.
Unfortunately, replacing your warehouse racking is sometimes the only safe option. When it comes to your warehouse, these situations make the most sense for a total replacement:
If you’re uncertain whether you should repair or replace a section of racking, it is always best to err on the side of caution. Not sure of how to proceed? Contact the talented team at Mid-Columbia Forklift and MidCo Material Handling. Whether you need to reconfigure existing racks or source a replacement for damaged equipment, our team will be happy to help keep your workspace safe and productive.
Further Reading:
Is My Warehouse Racking Compliant with Washington State Fire Codes?
Forklift Operator Training for OSHA Compliance
Top Ways to Reduce Downtime in Your Warehouse