Archive for October, 2022

What Are The Main Reasons Why Racking Can Get Damaged?

Employers have a legal responsibility to make sure that any equipment such as racking is safe to use and that they plan for any potential risks, as per the Under the Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act (2007) and the Provisions of Use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998).

Failing to protect your staff and to mitigate any potential risks can prove damaging, not only financially, but also to a business’ reputation if one of their employees is harmed in an accident.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for racking systems to become damaged, and the probability of a racking collapse is higher than you may think.

Damage can reduce the load bearing capacity of racking by as much as 40%, so it is imperative that you repair any damage to your racking as soon as possible.

Discover some of the common causes of racking damage below, and find out what you can do to prevent racking damage or collapse, in order to protect your business, employees and stock.

Common causes of racking damage

Some of the common causes of damage to racking are:

● Incorrect installation

● Inadequate repairs or maintenance

● Adjusting or re-assembling racking without proper training

● Continued use of damaged pallets which cause damage to beams

● Poor design or layout

● Overloading or poor weight distribution

● Damage by forklift trucks

How to prevent racking damage or collapse

There are many measures you can put in place and actions you can take to reduce the chances of racking damage or collapse.

If a forklift hits racking, it can cause serious damage and impair the racking. It is important that forklift truck drivers are properly trained and have a licence to operate a forklift truck.

To reduce the risk of racking collapsing or breaking, it is imperative that you have it installed by trained professionals.

Ensure that racking only bears the weight it is designed to hold. If racking is overloaded, this will put strain on the racking and can cause it to collapse.

The racking and pallets in your warehouse should be inspected regularly. If any pallets are or become broken or damaged, you should stop using these immediately, to prevent damage to your beams.

If you notice any signs of damage to your racking, this should be repaired as soon as possible. It is worth bearing in mind that damage to racking is not always visible to the untrained eye, so it is good practice to have an experienced company carry out regular inspections and repairs.

Regular maintenance and repairs is key to ensuring a long lifespan and the safety of your racking, and in keeping both the stock and employees in your warehouse protected.

As well as engineering and installing bespoke racking solutions, Logical Storage Solutions has extensive experience in performing racking inspections, and can help guide businesses to meet their legal duties and health and safety obligations.

To enquire about a new racking system for your business or to arrange a racking inspection, please call us on 0845 689 1300.