Did you know that around 5,190 workplace fatalities happened last 2021?
The truth is that working in a warehouse, being in the middle of warehouse operations, or operating pallet racks can be a dangerous task. Practices need to be followed, rules need to be followed, and safety needs to be prioritized.
How do you follow safety tips with pallet rack? Don’t worry – we have a guide to pallet rack safety here for you, so read on.
Understanding Pallet Rack Basics
Pallet racks provide an effective and organized solution for materials handling operations. These operations can be safe and beneficial with the proper pallet rack safety measures. Understanding industrial pallet rack basics are the best way to keep your workplace injury-free.
Understand the weight load capacities as rated by the suppliers. Utilize lifting devices when they are available such as forklifts or pallet jacks. It will reduce the amount of manual lifting and handling.
Always inspect pallet racks before loading. Ensure there is no visible damage or possible danger.
Common Hazards of Pallet Rack Use
Proper use and maintenance of industrial pallet racks can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. The key to staying safe while using pallet racks is to be aware of the common hazards associated with their use.
Collapsed or Bent Racks
Bent or collapsed racks can occur when too much weight is added to the shelves. To prevent this, it is important to adjust the weight capacity of the shelves accordingly. Moreover, any shelving bent or collapsed should be removed and replaced immediately to avoid any potential accidents.
Falling Objects
Falling pallets and their contents pose the risk of causing physical harm to workers on the floor below and property damage to the surrounding material. You must implement appropriate safety measures to reduce the risk associated with pallet racks.
Place anti-tip devices on all pallet racks to help them sway less and prevent racks from tipping over. Ensure to properly secure all pallet racks to the wall to reduce the risk of them toppling over.
Ensure that loads are evenly distributed on the racks to prevent weight shifts and shifts due to vibrations. Workers should also be trained on rack safety and understand the potential dangers associated with falling objects.
Unstable Loads
Unstable loads on a pallet rack can cause cross-slot beams to slip out of place, pallet racks to tilt or collapse and lead to materials falling off. It should always be stored away from the pallet racks or supported by a wire mesh divider or mesh top.
Be sure to use the proper pallet rack capacity when storing materials. Keep the center of gravity of the load within the center of the upright beams, and stabilize the base before stacking additional layers.
When loading materials onto the pallet rack, use a system that distributes the load evenly and ensure that it is fixed securely on the rails. Avoid overloading the rack, use the appropriately sized forklift to transport the pallet, and never allow personnel to access stored material from the rack.
Improper Connectors
Connectors are an essential part of every pallet rack. It is mainly used to secure the beams to the uprights and together. If the beams on a pallet rack are not connected properly, your whole structure can risk collapsing. Improperly connected connectors can weaken the beams, making them more prone to twisting and failing to hold up the weight of the material stored.
Electrocution Due to Improper Wiring
Improper wiring is a major risk when using pallet racks, as it can lead to a number of safety hazards. The most common improper wiring situations that can occur involve faulty and outdated equipment, misuse of power tools, incorrect wiring to the frames, and inadequate grounding. It is important to use the correct power tools, wires, and cables to safely handle the equipment’s weight.
Utilizing Safety Features of Pallet Rack Systems
Pallet rack safety is of the utmost importance in any warehouse. Utilizing the warehouse racking protection features of pallet rack system is essential to ensuring the safety and security of your workforce.
Check Load Capacities
Before attempting to put any product onto a pallet rack, you should make sure to check the load capacities. Depending on the size of the pallet rack, the load capacities can vary greatly.
It is important to understand that heavier objects require a more robust rack, such as steel, instead of aluminum. Heavier items should be closer to the bottom of the pallet rather than the top, so the rack better supports them.
Use Racking Accessories
To ensure safety and security, it is important to use racking accessories when utilizing pallet racks. Starting at the basics, safety clips will prevent pallets from being accidentally knocked over or removed. Guard rails also ensure that loaded pallet racks are not overloaded and remain secure, protecting workers from injury.
More advanced racking accessories may be necessary depending on the size and weight of the pallets. These may include posts, column protectors, wire partition and column guards, rail-mounted ladders, and label holders.
Regularly Inspect Your Pallet Racking’s Stability
Look for any signs of corrosion, sagging, or damage that may cause the structure to be weak and at risk of collapse. Inspect all components, such as the upright frames, beams, and floor.
If any of the components appear to show signs of wear or are loose, it’s essential to reposition or repair them right away. Also, ensure to properly secure the pallet framework to the wall or floor if necessary. Make sure your workers know the proper usage of pallet racks to prevent unnecessary incidents.
Learn More About Pallet Rack Safety Today
Pallet rack safety is essential for protecting staff, goods, and equipment in warehouses. Understanding pallet rack design, installation, and inspection guidelines will help keep everyone in the warehouse safe. The following steps can help any facility maximize its pallet rack safety.
Make sure to inspect your racks to help prevent accidents regularly. Start today to ensure your warehouse is as safe as possible.
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