Archive for the ‘pallet rack repairs’ Category

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.

Factors to consider when buying new pallets

Pallets are an essential item in most warehouses, which are required to effectively store and move stock.

Although pallets may appear the same, there are many different types of pallet available. They can differ in size, durability, capacity, and construction.

Here are some important factors you should consider when selecting the ideal pallet type for your warehouse or to transport your products on.

Location

When it comes to pallets, location matters. Will the pallets be kept inside or outside? Will they be in a hot or cold environment? Will they be on the floor or on racking? Where and how your pallets will be stored should be taken into consideration when selecting new pallets.

Destination

If you plan to ship abroad, you will likely require heat or chemically treated pallets. These treatments protect the pallets from mould, rot, and pesticides, which pallets tend to become prone to in transit, if not treated.

Load

You need to consider what is going to be stored or shipped on these pallets and how this will affect the type of pallets that you will need.

The size, shape and weight of the products will also have an effect on what type and size of pallets you will need, and the required load bearing capacity.

Size

The standard size pallet in the UK is slightly bigger than the European standard. There is no universal standard size of pallet. Therefore, you need to make sure that you always check the dimensions before buying pallets as sizing can differ.

Construction

The material and method of construction of a pallet will have an effect on its durability and life expectancy. Pallets are most commonly made from wood, but the type of wood used can make a significant difference.

For example, pallets made from hardwood such as poplar are less likely to stain or leach. However, poplar in particular is less durable than other types of hardwood. You can also get plastic pallets which are typically more durable, but also more expensive.

Hygiene

There is no denying that the coronavirus pandemic has made people more conscious about hygiene and cleanliness.

Particularly if you will be storing or transporting food items or pharmaceuticals, you should look to invest in pallets which are hygienic and easy to clean, such as plastic pallets.

Sustainability

People are also becoming increasingly conscious about the environment, in an effort to work towards a more sustainable future.

Although plastic pallets are more expensive, they are more sustainable and environmentally friendly. You can get recycled and recyclable plastic pallets, and they should outlast wooden pallets by up to 20 times.

Picking the ideal pallets for your requirements can be difficult and overwhelming. For expert advice, consult our expert team at Logical Storage Solutions so we can help you make the right choice. Call us on 0845 689 1300, or email [email protected].

Logical Storage Solutions is an innovative provider of storage equipment and interior workspaces for both industrial and commercial environments including office partitions and mezzanine flooring.

Offering a consultative approach and nationwide service for all single and multi-site operations, we are your one-stop provider of all storage, workspace and maintenance solutions.

How to prevent a pallet racking collapse

The ramifications that come with a pallet racking collapse can be drastic. A collapse can cause costly damage to stock and other company property. It can also bring business to a standstill and could cause serious injuries or even fatalities. Here is how to prevent a pallet racking collapse.

The majority of incidents where pallet racking has collapsed have occurred as a result of bad practice, poor quality racking, or improperly maintained racking. Meaning these collapses could have been prevented.

In this article, we are going to explore some of the reasons why pallet racking collapses and the associated risks. We will also be giving you advice on some of the measures you can take to try and prevent a racking collapse from happening and causing significant damage or injury.

What are the risks of a pallet racking collapse?

A collapse poses a great number of risks that can be very costly to a business. Whether it be in time or money or reputation.

Loss of stock due to damage caused by a collapse is one of the most common associated risks. Not only can it be costly to replace the stock, but it can also cause a delay in manufacturing products or processing orders which will inevitably harm business.

A racking collapse can also cause injury to nearby workers or visitors, and these can be severe. The worst-case scenario is that a pallet racking collapse causes fatalities, and sadly this has been the case in some instances.

Businesses may also be subject to fines if they are found to have failed to keep working equipment in safe and working order, and they could even be prosecuted.

These are just some of the reasons why you must do everything you can to prevent a pallet racking collapse. Read on to find out some of the most common causes of racking collapses, and what can be done to prevent them.

What causes a racking collapse and how can it be prevented?

Cause: forklift truck collision

Forklift trucks are likely to be operated around pallet racking, and so there is a chance that a collision may occur. When racking is struck by a forklift truck, it may immediately collapse or cause damage that later results in collapse.

Preventative measure: generous aisle space

Utilising space as best as possible is a key objective in warehouses, but safety should be of the utmost importance. By leaving generous aisle space, forklift trucks will have more room to manoeuvre around and will be less likely to hit the racking.

You must always follow minimum aisle space guidelines provided by the forklift truck manufacturers to ensure adequate room is left for the forklifts to move around with ease.

Preventative measure: install rack protection

A cost-effective and simple way of protecting your racks is to install rack protection. The most vulnerable areas of racking systems are typically the end frames and corner columns.
You can strengthen these areas by adding bolted steel, floor-anchored, button-on, or poly snap-on rack protection.

Cause: overloading

Overloading is one of the most common causes of pallet collapses. If you put more on the racking than it is specified to withstand, this can have a negative impact on its structural integrity. It can cause the racking to become unstable and collapse.

Preventative measure: do not overload

You must follow the guidelines and weight restrictions of your particular racking set-up.

It is also important to note that a beams capacity is per pair not per beam. Their capacity also depends on the load being evenly distributed. This changes depending on whether you use decking or place pallets directly on the beams.

Cause: poor design

Racks should be tailor-made to cater to suit individual requirements. Their design should be dependent on the load’s size, weight, and density. If racking is not designed properly, bearing these factors in mind, this can be the cause of a collapse.

Preventative measure: seek professional advice

Ensure the racking system you have in place is fit for purpose, by enlisting a professional to come out and take a look at it. If you do not yet have racking, make sure that you use a reliable company to design and build your racking.

With 10 years of experience in engineering tailored storage solutions, you can trust Logical Storage Solutions to deliver a bespoke racking solution that is safe and meets your requirements. We have worked with some of the nation’s largest and most trusted brands, including IKEA, Amazon, DHL, and Tesco.

If you would like to find out more about our range of tailor-made storage solutions, please call 0845 689 1300 to discuss your requirements with a member of our expert team.

Common Pallet Racking Risks and How to Prevent Them

Pallet racking is a great storage solution for warehouses and is amazing for maximising the storage space available, making a warehouse run more efficiently. However, it is essential that all pallet racking is of high quality, installed correctly, and is inspected regularly as there are certain potential safety hazards that pallet racking can cause. Here we discuss four common pallet racking risks and how to prevent them from happening.

Damage from collision

There may come a time when the pallet racking system is accidentally hit with some machinery such as a forklift truck. If this were to happen it can not only potentially cause items to fall from the racking, it could also cause damage to the frame. Even if there doesn’t seem to be any visible damage after the collision, ensure that the issue is reported and the pallet racking inspected. The structural integrity of the racking may still be damaged. If you notice any significant damage, this must be repaired immediately before the situation gets worse.

All members of staff should be trained in the protocol for what to do when they spot racking damage. If the racking is left damaged it could lead to something much more severe and damaging, such as a collapse.

Also, consider installing additional measures to help lower the risk of the collision causing damage in the first place. End guards and rack bollards for example can be installed to help prevent the collision from happening or limit the impact if it did still collide. The design of the warehouse also needs to be taken into account when a collision occurs. Although it was inevitably an accident you need to consider whether the collision happened because the machinery didn’t have sufficient room to manoeuvre around the racking.

Products Overhanging

Overhanging products are a common pallet racking problem. Pallets should only be placed on the racking system designed for that specific pallet size. Overhanging items not only can cause strain, but products can also be damaged and may fall, causing injury to employees.

It is important when choosing pallet racking that you use specialists who can meet your exact needs. Doing this ensures the shelves are the correct height and depth meaning overhanging will never be an issue.

Overloading

Pallet racking systems have weight restrictions that need to be adhered to, to avoid injury to workers and damage to the racking system. All employees in charge of loading items onto the racking need to be aware of these weight limits. They also need to understand how to place the load evenly onto the racking to spread the weight. They should always check the current weight load as well as the maximum weight limit before new pallets are added.

Not installed correctly

Sometimes racking may not be installed correctly, which can pose a major danger. All pallet racking systems should be installed by professionals. Choosing specialists means they carry out safety checks before the racking is used. You need full reassurance that the racking is aligned correctly and is level before anything is placed on it. The manufacturers’ guidelines need to be followed exactly to ensure it is installed correctly and fit for purpose. If this does not happen, the racking can cause a major health and safety nightmare.

Pallet racking can help optimise warehouse operations and make daily tasks much easier. However, all the issues above must be considered to avoid damage or harm. By ensuring the pallet racking is installed and used correctly as well as inspected by a professional regularly, a warehouse manager can use pallet racking to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their warehouse operations.

The Importance of Pallet Racking Inspections

Even if you have just had new pallet racking installed in your warehouse, or you have had the same pallet racking for years, it is equally vital to have the equipment inspected. Here we discuss the importance of pallet racking inspections that all warehouse managers and businesses need to be aware of.

Just like any other equipment, even if the pallet racking is of the highest standard, you need to be realistic and know that over time you should expect general wear and tear. Even though pallet racking is extremely durable and robust, damage can still occur. Nuts and bolts can become loose which, if not detected early can lead to the foundations of the structure being unsteady. This could cause potentially dangerous problems in the future. Damage can also happen if the pallet racking has undertaken any physical hits from machinery such as forklifts accidentally hidden the racking.

Why do you need a pallet racking inspection?  

As part of the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974, it is stated that “all adjustable pallet racking falls under the category of work equipment, which must be maintained and inspected on a regular basis”

The Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) of 1998 also states that all pallet racking shelving must meet the standards it sets out. This is in addition to the HSE guideline on Warehousing and Storage, HSG 76, states that “all racking systems should be of good mechanical construction, of sound material, adequate strength and installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.”

The inspections will observe the condition of the pallets, the positioning and types of loads stored on the pallet, the condition and type of floor the racking is fixed on plus much more. These are just some of the areas that are covered in the inspection. Once the inspection is done, a report will be issued with any recommendations or necessary actions.

By carrying out regular inspections, any issues can be dealt with head-on in a timely manner, reducing the risk of any accidents or further damage that could be costly to a business. By keeping the racking to the highest standards will also reduce the maintenance costs. It also helps towards creating a safer workplace and highlights to all warehouse employers that the business promotes health and safety in the workplace. This can considerably increase employees’ efficiency, happiness at work, and productivity if they know the equipment they are using is safe.

How often should the inspections take place? 

As a bare minimum, an expert inspection should take place annually. However, this is not the only inspection a warehouse needs to carry out. As stated in the EU Directive EN 15635, in addition to the annual expert inspection, internal inspections should also be undertaken on a weekly basis. Doing these regular inspections ensures that the racking remains fit for purpose and safe to use.

How do the inspections work? 

Warehouse inspections use a traffic light system in order to highlight any issues. These are called “damage categories”. Here is a description of the classifications:

Green Risk- The pallet racking system items that are damaged are within the limitations of BS EN 15635.

Amber Risk- The items are damaged beyond the limitations of BS EN15635. The rack should be offloaded as soon as possible within 4 weeks. The pallet racking system should not be used until the repair work has been completed.

Red Risk- Serious damage has occurred that are well beyond the limitations of BS EN 15635. If Red Risk occurs, the racking must be offloaded immediately and isolated from future use until the repair work has been carried out.

Who should do the inspections? 

A Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS) should be nominated at every warehouse. Their responsibilities include carrying out the weekly internal inspections.

Although a technically competent person internally can review the pallet racking, it can often be beneficial to use an external company to undertake these inspections. They look at the warehouse environment and condition of the pallet racking with completely fresh eyes. They will provide you with impartial advice, will have a team of experienced inspectors that are used to inspecting a range of different warehouses and will give the warehouse’s PRRS a comprehensive report that highlights any damaged or missing components and/or structural imperfections. This level of detailed inspection and feedback can be invaluable to the management of a busy warehouse.

Unfortunately, there are many accidents that take place in warehouses, some of which are caused by the equipment they are using. Prevention is key. Even if you don’t believe there is anything wrong with pallet racking, having regular inspection reduces the risk of injury and can help the racking last longer as it is well maintained.

By understanding these potential risks and having pallet racking inspections on a regular basis can help minimise the damage caused, fix any problems quickly and therefore minimise the risk of any serious damage or industry to equipment or staff considerably, making it a safer workplace.

Here at Logical Storage, we can offer high-quality mezzanine flooring for your business and are ready to discuss your warehouse storage requirements. For more information visit our website or call us on 0845 689 1300.

Pallet Racking Safety- Warehouse Safety Tips

Pallet racking is a great addition to any warehouse as they are a great storage solution and can improve efficiency and productivity. However, warehouse managers should be aware of measures regarding pallet racking safety. Issues can occur if the racking is damaged. These include collisions, incidents involving forklifts or overloaded pallets.

Here we discuss 7 ways you can improve the pallet racking safety in your warehouse

Always Use Suitable Forklifts

Forklifts should be suitable for the warehouse. Although the decision may be price-driven, a consideration should to the pallet contents should be given. Factors include the height and type of racking as well as aisle width. All of these factors will impact which forklift is suitable.

Handle With Care

Ensure all members of staff treat the pallet racking with care and use equipment in the correct manner. Place pallets evenly and squarely on the rack beams and remove damaged pallets from service.

Staff Training

Before anyone starts working with pallet racking in the warehouse, always ensure they have undertaken sufficient and detailed health and safety training which covers all aspects of how to correctly work with pallet racking.

Don’t Overload Pallets

Staff need to be aware of what the load capacity of the racking is and never exceed this. Overload pallet racking is asking for trouble and there is a reason why there are limits in place. Not only can it be dangerous for the employee, but it could also end up damaging equipment and products.

Keep Aisles Clear

Check for any obstructions in aisles as these can easily cause forklift collisions and other accidents.

Install Rack Protection

Invest in-rack protection to prevent damage from forklift collisions. Forklifts are heavy and can easily cause structural damage. To avoid any costs of damage or potential injuries, rack protection is a good option to help absorb the shock and impact of a potential collision.

Health and Safety Checks

Ensure safety information signs regarding the racking are visible and up to date. Implement clear processes for staff to follow in the event of an accident. Even though accidents cannot always be foreseen, an efficient accident process can help prevent any re-occurrences.

Carry out regular pallet racking inspections. Although damage may not be visible, the reassurance from a professional will provide peace of mind and will also keep your racking in the best condition for longer.

Ensuring your pallet racking remains in a safe condition is an ongoing task. Not only can damaged racking be harmful to employees, but it can also result in damaged inventories and associated costs. Implementing thorough safety measures can reduce this risk and therefore should be a priority for all warehouses that use pallet racking.

Here at Logical Storage, we can offer high-quality storage solutions, racking inspections and mezzanine flooring for your business. Call us on 0845 689 1300 for more information.

Warehouse Relocation- 11 Tips For A Smooth Move

Warehouse relocation projects are complex to undertake and can be extremely time-consuming so there are many things you need to consider to ensure the move goes as smooth as possible. Here is a quick checklist to go through to ensure you have all the essential tasks completed in plenty of time.

1. Plan the Move

Having a checklist of all the tasks you need to complete before and after the move will help you ensure nothing is missed and everything remains on schedule. No task is too small to include on the list as it avoids something being missed. Delegate jobs to a group of trusted employees as it’s impossible to orchestrate a large warehouse relocation single-handed.

Be realistic with timeframes when you are organising a move. It will inevitably take longer than you originally anticipated, so ensure you plan for this.

2. Contact a Moving Company and Schedule the Move

Ensure everyone knows the move date. From suppliers to employees and contractors, keep them all abreast of the plans. Obtain a few quotes from different moving companies in order to secure the best quote from a reliable company.

3. Evaluate Your Space

Moving warehouse is a perfect time to analyse and review the new space you have available. Knowing your space in advance means you can optimise the layout. This is a great time to rearrange your supplies and organized your stock. Don’t be tempted to stick completely to how stock was organised before. Yes, this is what people are used to, but if there is a more logical option available that will make your process more efficient, saving time or space, then you should try it.

4. Consider Additional Storage

If you are moving to a warehouse that is high, do you have room for a mezzanine floor? This is a great opportunity to have one installed without interrupting production. Also consider getting additional racking if you have more available space than your previous warehouse.

5. Organise Your Inventory

Account for everything and organise it before you move it. Doing so will save you time later. It also means you can move the stock you do not need as urgently first, leaving you with vital equipment up until the last minute, reducing the amount of necessary downtime.

6. Tidy Up

It can be a challenge to keep a warehouse spotless all the time, however, ensure you tidy as you go to avoid have clutter around the warehouse and leaving items in places that could be a trip hazard. As you pack up to move, throw aware anything you do not use or anything that has aged and no longer needed. There is no point moving it to the new warehouse if you will not use it as it will take up valuable space.

7. Look For Damaged Items

As you pack away, ensure you check the quality of your equipment. Also check your pallet racking is in good condition and not damaged before you relocate it. Check again once you are at the new location in case something is broken during transit. If you do not have regular maintenance, you are at risk of a serious accident and repair work can lead to delays in productivity, so it is best to spot any damage early.

When pallet racks or shelving are moved or unloaded, there is a risk of spillages or damage to the stock. Always ensure this is being done carefully. Also ensure that when the pallets are being restocked, all items are safely secured, especially at the higher levels.

8. Ensure Safety Measures Are In Place

When you get the new warehouse, ensure you have implemented safety measures immediately. Check that all the floor markings are clearly visible and all safety signs are clear and correct. Having this all set up in advance will make the transition smoother.

9. Communicate Clearly With Employees

Ensure all employees are aware of the new layout of the warehouse, what their specific tasks are during the relocation and who they are reporting to. Knowing this in advance will hopefully avoid any chaos and confusion during the move.

10. Be Wary of Theft

Unfortunately, a warehouse move is an opportunistic time for something to be stolen due to the busy environment. Stay on top of this risk by assigning trusted employees different zones to manage during the move and keeping an accurate log of the inventory when it moved from the old location and again when it arrives at the new location.

12. Notify People of Your New Address

Whether they are your customers, suppliers, utility companies, banks or insurance company, make a list of everyone you need to update on your address in advance. Having the list at hand makes it easy to keep track of who you have notified and who else needs to know.

Although a warehouse relocation is always going to be a mammoth task to undertake, splitting the task up and organising as much in advance can make the process go smoothly. Although a warehouse relocation is a big change that can impact the company’s productivity whilst the move takes place, it is a great opportunity to install additional shelving, make the most of your space and improve the efficiency of your processes, which will ultimately increase your productivity and lead to more sales.

Here at Logical Storage, we can offer high-quality storage solutions, racking inspections and mezzanine flooring for your business. Call us on 0845 689 1300 for more information.

8 things to consider when buying pallet racking

Buying pallet racking for your businesses’ warehouse can be a great investment, however you need to ensure you are choosing the correct type for your business needs. Here we discuss 8 things you should consider before buying pallet racking as it is a long-term investment.

1. Accessibility
You need to think about what you will be storing in your pallet racking and how often your staff will need to access it. Ensure your pallet racking has enough space for you to place slow-moving stock at the back and have faster-moving stock at the front in a more convenient and accessible position. Before ordering the racking, you need to plan where all your stock will go, and plan based on how often you need to access it. It will depend on the type of stock you have as well as the type of operational system you have running in your warehouse.

2. Space and warehouse layout
You also need to consider what space you have within your warehouse to work with. Again, you need to plan in advance where all the stock will be going, whilst ensuring there is enough space for your staff to move around, especially as you may need equipment such as cranes and forklift trucks to help get higher pallets. Racking systems are available in a range of heights so make sure you make the most out of the height you have available in your warehouse. Increasing your storage vertically can make your warehouse more cost-effective, reduces your need to relocate and find larger premises and uses what would otherwise be wasted space.

3. Durability
You need to ensure the pallet racking you are buying matches your needs. How long after the racking is installed would you ideally like it to last? Pallet racking varies and you need to match the type to your needs. If you require the most durable pallet racking available, then you need to decide this before purchasing and look at the specifications carefully. There are cheaper options out there such as second-hand pallet racking, but if durability is a main concern for you, then these options may not be suitable for you.

4. Size of pallets
A major consideration is the size of the pallets you need to store. Figure this out first and choose suitable pallet racking to match.

5. Adjustability
Although you may have all your warehouse and pallet racking plans sorted, the requirements may change in the future. If you think this is likely, ask about whether the pallet racking you are interested in can be adjusted in the future (such as shelf height). Knowing this information in advance will give you peace of mind that if there are changes to your stock in the future, your pallet racking can adapt to meet these needs, avoiding more racking needing to be purchased.

6. Safety
Always ensure that safety is a high priority when choosing pallet racking. You need to ensure that you have bought a high standard product that you know will be fit for purpose. Ensure you always have your pallet racking inspected regularly as you have no guarantee that an accident will not happen as a result. Also ensure that all staff are fully trained before accessing stock from pallet racking.

7. Purpose
There is not a one size fits all option when it comes to pallet racking. The types vary dramatically depending on their purpose and so you need to think about this before choosing. Whether it is a wide aisle, very narrow aisle or double deep, consider what you need to store on them and also what room you have available in your warehouse before you decide on what style is best for you.

8. Budget
Inevitability your choice will be constrained by your budget for a new racking system. Cost will always be a significant factor for many businesses, but you need to ensure that you have weighed up all the options equally and not base your decision solely on price. If you do this, you could end up with a lower quality product that does not suit your business’ needs exactly and could end up costing you more in the long run. Always discuss your options fully first and ensure you choose the option that best suits your businesses’ operations.

Pallet racking is an important investment for your company. Before you buy, ensure you have thought about the factors discussed above in detail to ensure you have chosen the correct options for your company to continue working at its most efficient. Choosing the wrong type of pallet racking can not only waste your money and time, it can also lead to less productivity, damaged goods or even workplace accidents.

Here at Logical Storage, we offer a range of racking solutions for warehouses. For more information visit our website or call us on 0845 689 1300.

How to keep your workplace safe using racking

A lack of understanding of Health & Safety laws coupled with practical dangers such as heavy loads and overloading can produce plenty of risks to your business. Often however, the key to staying safe is as simple as choosing the right form of racking system and taking due care when choosing a supplier.

The dangers to businesses in the workplace
There are many dangers within a workplace. These can vary in businesses depending on what the environment is like. During 2017/18 a total of 144 workers were killed in fatal accidents and more than 650,000 non-fatal injuries were reported. This poses a huge risk to businesses as it can have bad consequences such as workers taking time off to recover or even in the worst case a worker being killed resulting in fines and even legal action.

How can racking help?
Racking is a great way to stop and prevent these dangers from occurring. This is because it is a highly-effective storage solution which enables for easy organisation and allows for heavy objects to be stored away safely. Saying this, racking will only be an effective solution if it is maintained properly, hence why it is incredibly important to have annual inspections.

Initial installation
Before even thinking about Health & Safety or maintenance for your racking, you need to ensure that you are selecting the right supplier and installer to get the job done. If your racking is faulty then it could have a negative impact on not only your productivity, but it can have a large impact on your Health & Safety standards.

Requirements on the racking
All manufacturers of warehouse racking are obliged to provide the safe loading data on the racking system, stating its maximum load and the maximum number of items that can be loaded at once.

This is to ensure that the users of the racking systems know how to load it properly so that it coincides with health and safety regulations. Failure meet these standards can have detrimental effects as it could cause racking and pallets to fall on the driver of a forklift or anyone stood underneath it.

Rules around the racking
In addition to the points mentioned above, your own housekeeping is essential to keeping your racking safe and in turn aiding the overall Health & Safety standards of your business. Keep workways clear for both forklifts and workers and have systems in place to collect and disperse rubbish as a minimum. Adopt a “see it – sort it” approach for maximum impact.

Inspections and maintenance
Inspections of your warehouse racking are a must as the HSE recommend having annual inspections by a SEMA approved racking inspector so that you are can highlight any problems and so you can stay up to date with any new legalisation.

This is where we can help. Here at Logical Storage we can offer high-quality racking inspections for your business and discuss your racking requirements. Click here for more details http://www.logicalstorage.co.uk/services/rack-inspection/ or call us on 0845 689 1300.

What causes racking damage?

Damage to the racking in your warehouse can have a devastating impact. Not only can it slow down your operations and cause damage to your stock, but it can also put your employees at serious risk of injury which in turn can spiral into financial loss and potentially damage to your reputation as a business. But how does racking damage occur in the first place? Here are a few common examples.

Vehicular damage
Warehouses are busy environments and while vehicles like forklifts are excellent tools in speeding up your operations and reaching areas that would be more challenging on foot, used incorrectly or without proper training they can pose serious hazards. Accidental collisions with racking systems are a common cause of breakages and while more serious incidents may be too hard to ignore, small bumps and knocks could go unnoticed but still do damage that compromises your systems.

Poor warehouse layout
While poor training of drivers can lead to collisions with racking, sometimes it is not the driver who is at fault. Instead cramped and poorly maintained areas that don’t utilize tools like coloured safety tape and notices or have poor housekeeping can result in drivers having to make tight maneuvers that can often end in collisions.

Overloading
The most common cause of racking failure is that of overloading. By calculating factors like frame size, beam size and depth we can work out exactly what the limit should be for weight on your racking. However, if advice is ignored and your racking becomes overloaded then structural damage is bound to occur at some point. It is important to make it clear to workers through both training and notices exactly what weight limits are.

Seek advice
The key to avoiding racking damage is to quickly identify faulty or damaged racking. By organising periodic reviews of your racking with a professional company you can quickly identify small signs of wear and tear before they develop into something much worse.

Logical Storage is highly skilled in spotting the often hard-to-find signs of racking degradation. We carry out regular reviews for a number of businesses helping them to keep their systems in good working order and to maintain their legal obligations under the Health & Safety Act.  To find out more please call us on 0845 689 1300.