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In New Zealand, regular inspections of storage racks are critical to warehouse safety management. Most regions of the country are prone to earthquakes which is why Worksafe New Zealand encourages warehouse managers to consult engineers and other professionals for verification and certification of their storage systems.
Pallet racks, shelves, whatever you have installed in your facility, you need to make sure they’re frequently maintained to prevent accidents, worker injuries and damage to property. If you need a refresher on where to start with an efficient and effective pallet racking inspection for optimum safety, here’s a checklist of the important things to look out for.
First and foremost, you need to make sure that the racks have been installed properly and are up to standard. Inspect all bolts, base plates, wall mounts and individual shelves to see if everything is connected securely. Consult your owner’s manual if you are unsure about the proper configuration.
Pallet racking systems that have been used for heavy-duty applications, incorrectly installed or set up in areas with uneven foundation are prone to bending. This leads to their structures weakening over time.
If you see vertical leanings, rows out of alignment or crooked racks, consider them red flags and track down the sources of the damage. If you find that the foundation is the culprit, move your pallet racks to a safer area.
Beams and crossbars need frequent inspections and replacements as they support the heavy load on pallet racks.
Check all load-bearing beams and crossbars for improper installation or visible damage. An effective way to do this is to measure the amount of deflection or bending on each of them. Replace them if needed as it’s always safer to have a strong and sturdy set of beams.
Ensure that your pallets are positioned correctly on the rack, with no large spaces between them. It’s also vital that you keep all of the pallets away from the shelf’s edge and you don’t place too many pallets on each rack. This is because pallet racking systems have specific loading capacities and weight limits. A collapse is inevitable once you overload them.
Each rack’s base plates bear a lot of weight. If they’re not properly installed, they can cause damage to storage items and injure workers.
Check your base plates to make sure they’re anchored correctly into the ground. You should also inspect the surrounding ground for damaged anchor points and cracks.
Still uncertain about the state of your pallet racking systems after your initial safety check? Go beyond the initial inspection and consult the help of professionals.
At Shelving Shop Group, we provide reliable, convenient and non-disruptive pallet racking safety inspections that comply with New Zealand standards. Our warehouse safety audits conducted by experts will ensure the integrity and continued performance of your storage systems, giving you peace of mind.
Call us today on 0800 180 280 to schedule an inspection with one of our trusted auditors.
