4 Methods to Prevent Pallet Racking and Inventory Damage in Warehousing

Ensuring that your warehouse's inventory and storage systems are safe and secure will protect you from lost profits and productivity. Preventing damage to pallet racking starts with having the right parts to ensure that the racking system is protected from damage during the daily operations of your facility. In addition, you must protect your inventory from the elements in all areas of the warehouse. You need more than pallet rack protectors to protect your inventory. Explore ways you can invest in your warehouse to extend the life of your storage equipment.

1. Reduce warehouse damage

Warehouse damage to your storage facilities or products does not have to occur. You can reduce the likelihood of facility damage in a number of ways. In some cases, these methods will overlap to protect your storage racks and the products stored in them.

The problem with warehouse damage comes from increased traffic and inventory. With more forklifts and product, the opportunity for collisions between trucks and pallet racking increases. Forklift damage usually occurs at the bottom 12 inches of the rack. You need to protect this area from damage with rack protectors. However, when a forklift lifts a pallet from a higher height, even higher areas, such as where the beams and posts meet, can be damaged.

Protecting your racking system is one way to prevent damage to the products stored on it. You also need to take care of the products themselves, especially if they are located in exposed areas. Unless you actively keep your merchandise dry, these elements can damage many products.

2. Prevent damage to pallet racking systems

The pallet racking in your warehouse needs to be protected from impact and use. You can use a variety of options to extend the life of your pallet racks and make them safer for the products stored on them.

Post Protectors: Post protectors are available in heights from 12" to 24". These metal protectors are installed around the base of the rack posts to prevent damage to the posts from forklifts and walking.

There are other ways to protect pallet racking in the warehouse besides equipment. Widening aisles to facilitate forklift maneuvering also reduces the chance of collisions on pallet racking. Mark aisle widths and height clearances to inform workers of the space they can use to safely move product or forklifts. To make it easier for drivers, keep aisles free of debris and pedestrians. Designate separate lanes for walking and vehicles. These two lanes will prevent people from moving out of the aisle into the racks to avoid hitting people or vehicles.

Your forklift drivers also play a role in your racking safety. Make sure you thoroughly train all forklift operators to move vehicles within your facility to ensure safety and compliance with OSHA Regulation 1910.178 (I)(1)(i). When untrained people use forklifts, there is an increased chance of accidents and damage to vehicles and racks. Don't put your warehouse or workers at risk.

3. Know your weight rating

Pallet racks and beams have weight limits. Always order a storage system that exceeds the maximum load you will apply to it. In addition, provide your employees with information about the weight capacity of the pallet rack. Doing so will prevent your workers from overloading the racks, which can lead to serious injury if an overloaded stand collapses. Consider marking racks with their weight limits. Marking loads and racks will prevent employees from overloading racks with too much weight.

4. Check your racks

The racks where you store your pallets are as good as their construction. Over time, bolts can loosen, which can be hazardous to your facility. Schedule regular inspections and maintenance of all warehouse racks. Replace bent, rusted or otherwise damaged parts. These include beams, uprights, bolts and fittings. Tighten bolts and other connectors. If you have accessories such as Rack Pals or aisle guards, also check them for signs of wear. Some fittings, such as wire mesh panels, have weight limits that may be reduced if the parts are worn. Your workers may be unknowingly overloading worn racks. Regular inspections will keep your storage system in top condition to support its full capacity, thus preventing a disaster at your facility.

Further Reading:

Five significant advantages of pallet racking systems

Why choose drive-in pallet racking system in your warehouse?

Why do you need a custom racking system?

The four main questions to ask when ordering cantilever racking for your warehouse

Five pallet racking safety tips to protect your pallet racking