When stock is stored in warehouses or perhaps tyres for a Tyres Gloucester company such as http://swiftfit.uk.com/gloucester-tyres/ on multi-level pallet racks, it’s important that these storage systems are designed to reduce the risk of falling or collapse so that warehouse workers or mechanics can be confident they are working in a safe environment and there is a lower risk of valuable stock being ruined as well as placing items within easy reach for use on a day to day basis if required.
Understanding what causes them to fail is an important way to help reduce the risk of disastrous events happening, as steps can be taken to reduce the likelihood of problems occurring.
Spacing
It is possible to cause a whole warehouse of pallet racks to collapse if one is nudged in the wrong place, as a forklift truck driver in footage on the Daily Mail website found.
When a forklift comes into contact with a rack, there is a high chance of collapse, so building in generous amounts of space between the rows of racks is essential. Aisle width should incorporate pallet overhang into the calculations for spacing given between the racks, because if the pallets sitting on a rack are hit by a forklift, the whole rack system could fail just as easily as if the racks suffered a direct hit.
Lack of Protection
Adding rack protection in the most vulnerable areas of the racks – at the end frames and corners – can be inexpensive. Your chosen supplier of pallet racking should be able to advise you on whether floor-anchored, bolted steel or button-on protection would work best for you. If their products are designed with these safety features incorporated, you can have peace of mind.
Clear the Clutter
Take all unnecessary items away from the floors of aisles, because if forklift drivers have to negotiate their way around clutter as well as transiting the aisles, then they are more likely to risk a crash.
Check Regularly
Inspecting your racks regularly means you can understand what damage has happened and whether a rack needs replacement or repair. This will also help you understand whether any racks have been badly designed for their purpose and are showing signs of being overloaded and at risk of collapse. Ensure you are confident that any new racks you invest in have been designed with your warehouse’s requirements in mind.
