Written by: Emily Joswiak • April 23, 2021• Business

Common Causes of Failure With Pallet Racks

When working inside a warehouse, the common causes of failure with pallet racks can be avoided and mitigated to preserve the safety of workers and inventory.

Pallet rack failures can cause untold damage to inventory and pose a significant risk to workers’ safety and well-being in the immediate vicinity. While you cannot predict some issues when it comes to pallet racks, you can prevent many problems before they cause harm. Learn what the common causes of failure with pallet racks are to avoid dangerous conditions and maintain worker safety and health.

Changes To Design

A rack is designed to be constructed in a particular way, and if the construction does not match the design specifications, your rack will be compromised. Any changes made to your rack’s construction can weaken the structure overall, resulting in the collapse of shelves. Maintain the design and ensure each rack is built as the manufacturer intended.

Damage To Structure

While intentional design changes mid-construction pose a threat, damage from external objects can just as easily cause a collapse. Whether damage comes from too much weight placed on a shelf or a collision with a forklift, take steps to protect your racks and minimize the chances of damage.

Aisle Width

Continuing with the idea of vehicular damage, forklifts can be the biggest threat to pallet rack structural integrity. Because of their speed and weight, any collision with a rack risks its failure. And one of the most common causes of forklift damage to racks is an inadequate clearance width of the aisles.

Room To Move

It would be best if you granted your vehicle operators the ability to maneuver within your aisles safely. Knowing strategies to protect the ends of your aisles is critical to ensuring warehouse safety and maintaining your pallet racks.

Environmental Concerns

Your warehouse’s internal climate also plays a huge role in how stable and safe your pallet racks are. In areas where the climate tends to be more humid, moisture can build up in your warehouse. That moisture will have a significant effect on the metal of your racks, causing them to corrode and rust.

Climate Controls

In these circumstances, you must prepare to protect your warehouse from the natural climate of your location. Have a system to control your warehouse’s internal environment to reduce the risk of compromised components within pallet racks and vehicles.

A Lack of Caution

Do not become complacent when you are thinking of reducing the risk of injury and equipment failure in your warehouse. Waiting to make vital adjustments or not adhering to critical safety standards will damage inventory and increase the likelihood of staff injuries.

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Last modified: April 26, 2021