Pallet racking is a material handling storage aid system designed to store materials on. Although there are many varieties of pallet racking, all types allow for the storage of palletized materials in horizontal rows with multiple levels. Forklift and Reach trucks are usually required to place the loaded pallets onto the racks for storage.
Main Points
The main hazards for pallet racking are
- Physical damage to the pallet rack. Often this damage occurs from lift truck collisions.
- Misaligned Racking Safety Hazard.
- Loose Floor Fittings.
- Suitability of forklift truck.
- Weight of stored goods versus capacity of racking system.
- Misused racking.
Responsibilities of everyone:
- To ensure that the implications of any change is considered to ensure that adequate safety margins are maintained,
- To recognise significant defects in pallets and loads and initiate the appropriate action,
- To place loaded pallets squarely on the support beams ensuring that all 4 corner blocks are supported.
- To be aware that some loads are not rigid and can slump causing problems on removal from the racking.
- Not to side shift loads up against uprights.
- The importance of cleanliness and tidiness of the racking and surrounding areas.
- The reporting of any damaged as it happens!!!
Discussion Points
Do
- Display the load notice at the end of all racking isles (signs must mirror rack design).
- Make sure that all rack beams have locking pins in place.
- Ensure that pallets are appropriate for the racking.
- Undertake regular internal visual rack inspections.
- Report damage as soon as it happens.
Don’t
- Use the upright to guide pallets into position. Leave approximately 50mm between the pallet and upright.
- Store broken, defective or non-compliant pallets within racking.
- Allow untrained or inexperienced staff to operate Reach or pallets trucks unsupervised near racking.
- Exceed racking load limit.
