If you’re a warehouse manager responsible for your company’s pallet storage, you’ll want to be sure you are storing your pallets safely. Workplace storage conditions must be tough to meet today’s product requirements. Only quality steel shelves, used in the safest ways, can meet the challenges of your inventory. Reviewing some commonly made pallet racking mistakes may help avoid them.
Be sure your company avoids the following mistakes:
1. Overloading and Improper Stacking
When you buy a pallet racking system, it’s essential to check the system’s weight capacity before choosing your shelves. If you try to exceed the weight capacity of your shelving, you risk dents, cracks, or collapse. Each shelving unit should have a display label listing the maximum weight and number of items you can store on each rack. According to SPS Ideal Solutions, when you plan which items to place on each rack, you should put the heaviest items on the bottom shelf.
2. Climbing On Pallet Racks
Because of the volume of merchandise, some items may be stored on the highest racks and become out of reach. Workers may try to climb onto the racks. Placing a worker’s weight on the racks often results in collapse and the loss of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise.
A collapse could injure multiple employees if the racks fall near other workers. To avoid this situation, store only the least-required items on top shelves. When you need to reach them, use only approved material handling devices.
3. Avoiding Repairs or Overlooking Damages
Trying to save money by avoiding repairs can be disastrous. The maintenance of your pallet racking systems is just as essential as the merchandise the racks store. The normal wear and tear of loading and unloading merchandise can cause repairs and should be addressed as soon as possible.
You can avoid unintentional damage by regularly reviewing proper forklift procedures with your staff and conducting regular rack inspections. Even the small connecting clips of your rack should remain undamaged. A seemingly minor irregularity in a clip may disguise unseen structural damage, which can result in collapse.
4. Ignoring Height to Depth Ratios
According to SPS Ideal, each rack should have a ratio lower than 6:1. If your company’s racks exceed that ratio, you’ll need to use baseplates and overhead ties to prevent overturning during storage activities. Ensuring the ratio is correct before installation may save your company future merchandise loss or damage.
5. Failure to Schedule Inspections
To avoid many common pallet rack problems, your company must schedule regular inspections. The best way to know about repairs or damage is to have the racks inspected by experts. According to Diversified Rack, although OSHA does not have a specific mandate on the frequency of these inspections, they should be conducted at least annually. Company-generated internal inspections should also be done every quarter or more frequently.
If your company is in Philadelphia, you know it is an ideal location for many industries. When you need pallet rack installation in the Philadelphia area, Storage & Ergonomic Equipment Company has the solutions you seek. We’ve been providing warehouse storage solutions since 2009 and will work with your company to find the ideal pallet rack solutions for you. We offer free site visits and the opportunity to talk with our trained and knowledgeable sales staff.
Visit Us Online or With a Site Visit
When your pallet racking system needs repair, turn to Storage Ergonomic Equipment Company. We are your Philadelphia area pallet rack repair headquarters. We adhere to industry standards and strive to make your storage solutions as safe as possible. Visit us online to learn about our pallet racking system solutions, or call us to schedule a site visit. Your solutions are a phone call away!
