6 Steps to Maintain and Inspect Pallet Racking for Longevity
How can you “kill two birds with one stone”: implementing a proven management methodology and ensuring the longevity of your racking system through proper inspections? Let’s break this process down into easy, actionable steps. In just 30 seconds, you’ll get access to a Pallet Rack Inspection Checklist: 6 key components to audit your warehouse racking. Within another minute, you’ll gain a clear understanding of the 6S management methodology. In two minutes, you’ll walk away with a road map “6 inspections that ensure rack safety and longevity” to boost operational warehouse efficiency while extending the lifespan of your racking system by at least 15%. Is this worth some minutes of your time? If so, let’s let’s get started.
Pallet Rack Safety Guidelines
Rack Manufacturers Institute, or RMI, is the go-to organization in the U.S. that sets the rules for how racking systems in warehouses should be built and maintained. They’re the ones making sure everything is sturdy and safe. RMI recommends that warehouses have professionally trained inspectors check out their racking systems on a regular basis. These inspections aren’t just a suggestion—they help keep your warehouse up to code with RMI’s standards, which OSHA actually enforces now. So by having inspections done, you’re keeping things safer for employees and staying compliant with the latest safety regulations. We’ve put together the Top 5 Pallet Rack Safety Tips for your warehouse to get you started. Let’s take a tour of your warehouse.
Common Pallet Racking Mistakes to Avoid
According to research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of June 2024, the transportation and warehousing industry employed 6.6 million people, representing 5% of all private-sector jobs. Within this sector, the largest segments were warehousing and storage (27% of jobs), truck transportation (24%), and couriers and messengers (16%). While many fatal injuries in this industry are tied to transportation, particularly roadway accidents, the overall injury rate in transportation and warehousing is notably higher than the national average. Among warehouse accidents, the most common causes include forklift accidents, pallet collapses, slips and falls, and incidents involving hazardous materials.
Pallet Rack Installation Tips
The DIY approach can work in many situations, but when it comes to installing a pallet racking system, it’s best to leave it to experienced professionals. It’s not that we question your team’s skills, but we have countless hours of experience installing racking systems across a wide range of sites—both indoor and outdoor. This expertise has taught us the subtle details that are essential for a safe and effective installation.
What are these critical details? The first may seem unexciting—some might even say “boring”—but it’s absolutely vital to get right.
Hiring a Pallet Rack Inspector: Ensuring Safety, Compliance, and Peace of Mind
If you’re looking to keep your warehouse safe and efficient, you’ll want to consider hiring a qualified pallet rack inspector. These specialists are skilled in spotting potential issues with your pallet racks before they become major problems. They help to ensure that your storage systems are not just safe, but also meet all necessary regulations…
Pallet Racking Protectors: How Can You Protect Your Pallet Racking from Disaster?
If you have seen any of the disturbing videos of warehouse pallet racking crashing down after taking a hit from a forklift, then you know something about the need for warehouse pallet racking protectors. However, knowing you need pallet racking protection and knowing what type of protection you need are two different matters. This article…
Pallet Rack Pins – Why Do I Need Them if I Have Clips?
“They do not interfere with how the clip works but they are added extra protection against a shelf of product falling on in employee or you personally. They also tend not to malfunction as soon as a clip does.” A common question about these pallet rack pins is if you need them if you already…
Warehouse Work Platform – Why You Are Having a Hard Time Finding It
The hardest part of getting a warehouse work platform is actually finding the thing. We talk about this a lot on the site but we will say it again. We have noticed you, the customer, have a hard time finding what you want because we, the supplier, talk about the product very differently than how…
How Did This Warehouse Collapse? (& How to Avoid It)
You may have seen this video making its rounds on the internet – every warehouse manager’s nightmare. A warehouse collapse. But how did it happen? Obviously, the forklift hitting the rack was the direct cause. But, it is shocking to see such a gentle bump cause a total rack collapse. We’re confident that there’s something […]
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