Tips to Prevent Industrial Metal Pallet Rack Damage

A pallet rack is an erect steel structure used for storing equipment and inventory. This framework contains steel or metal beams welded or bolted together to create shelves. These metal racks provide a sturdy system for organizing and finding stowed materials. Since they support a robust build, hence any type of storage can be done from clothing and food to tools and heavy machinery. Further, these racks are versatile because they can be modified to meet the spacing and storage requirements. Consequently, they are used in warehouses and retail stores. However, an overloaded or poorly maintained rack can cause severe damage to people and property. Since safety is always a priority, this article shares five great tips to prevent pallet rack damage.

6 Practical Tips to Prevent Metal Pallets Damage

Tip#1: Decide on Maneuverable Speed Limits

Unstable forklifts often cause workplace accidents. Upon applying sudden brakes, the vehicle can overturn. Hence, it’s important to pre-set speed limits during its operations. Based on the surrounding conditions like poorly lit areas and pedestrians flow, you can adjust the maximum and minimum speed of the forklift for safe usage.

Tip#2: Avoid Pallet Overload

Available in different sizes and weights to store different types of commodities, hence pallet racks should be carefully selected. Depending on the storage type and requirements such as installation area size, the number of commodity units to be stored, handling method, and how often the products need to be taken off the shelves, will determine the type of rack for installation i.e., drive-through, flow or push back rack. Further, the pallet must not be overloaded with products, else there’s a high chance of the rack falling due to the excessive pressure created by the overload size. It’s also important to meet the industry safety standards and hence select suitable racks.

Tip#3: Train Employees Properly

Training staff is a crucial responsibility of the warehouse owner. Employees should be trained on how to safely balance, load, and unload products units from the pallet racks. Further, they should be trained on the operational feasibility of the forklift, and racking system maintenance. Thus, with useful training programs, the owner improves employee efficiency and prevents workplace accidents.

Tip#4: Suitable Rack Size, Application, & Metallurgy

Suitable rack size is an important aspect of the safe handling of products and people. The size depends on factors like space available, type and weight of the product, and adequate lighting. If the warehouse is equipped to maneuver heavy equipment or loads, ample space should be maintained between the racks, and the staff should be instructed to keep corridors and aisles clutter-free.

Warehouses that require product handling vehicles such as trolleys, forklifts, and trucks, should have clutter-free doorways and aisles to eliminate the possibility of accidents and damage to goods. Further, ample space and width must be maintained for the easy maneuverability of this equipment.

Tip#5: Make Safety Guards Compulsory

Pallet rack guard panels offer high protection against accidents for the staff and safely maintain inventory. Thus, if you want to avoid costly damages and threats to life, install safety guards. Ensure that you train the staff on how to use them during an emergency.

Tip#6: Ensure Proper Lighting

To make warehouse or storage areas safer, adequate illumination is necessary. Further, proper lighting boosts employee focus, which positively impacts their efficiency. For the forklift operators, lights in the driveway and surrounding areas are necessary for smooth operations and no accidents.

Lastly, a regular inspection of these metal racks is crucial. With daily wear and tear and the impact of the weather, these racks are prone to loosening of nuts, hooks, bolts, and corrosion. Additionally, improper loading and faulty equipment stored on the shelves can easily crack the metal in joints. Maneuvering equipment like forklifts further causes potential damage. Thus, regular checks will keep the racks in fit shape, as repairs and replacement of parts can be done instantly if checked well in time.

Conclusion:

Pallet racks are an essential storage option across distribution centers and warehouses where space and storage savings are a necessity. However, these commercial spaces are prone to accidents, due to mishandling of these storage racks during heavy equipment and load transportation. Thus, to minimize losses and ensure safety for employees, being cautious in the workplace is important. With these valuable tips, accidents and damages can be easily prevented.