Though pallet rack systems are forged of steel, the most common form of industrial shelving utilized in warehouse operations still can suffer a fair amount of abuse. From collisions with material handling equipment such as forklifts to overloading a system above its recommended weight capacity, there are a number of ways to inflict damage on these industrial storage systems. However, there are preventative measures that can be taken to help minimize the potential damage inflicted on a pallet rack system, which can help you avoid costly repairs and the dangers that can come with a system where the structural integrity is compromised.

Provide Extensive Training to Employees

The best thing to do to help prevent damage to pallet racking is to train employees who work around the storage system each and every day. This not only goes for those employees who will be operating material handling equipment such as forklifts, but also for those employees who may only work on the warehouse floor. Knowing what is acceptable and not acceptable to do in and around a pallet rack system can certainly help keep the industrial shelving in optimal condition. Go over proper loading and unloading procedures, as well as safety rules and regulations. And, it’s important to remember that training should be a continuous effort.

Utilize Pallet Rack Protection Accessories

There are several accessories for pallet rack systems that can be added to help prevent damage from occurring. These accessories include pallet rack guard rails, which can be added to keep forklifts from coming into contact with the base of the pallet racking; post protectors, a solid piece of steel added at the base of the upright frames; and post cushions, which can be extended higher up than standard post protectors for added protection to uprights. There are also accessories that can be utilized to enhance the overall structural stability of the entire system, such as pallet supports.

Be Mindful of Weight Restrictions

Arguably the biggest factor in a pallet rack system’s structural integrity being compromised is the system being overloaded. Adhering to the posted weight restrictions is essential to avoid a system collapse, which not only will lead to damage for the goods that you are storing but also potential harm to employees working around the system. Posting the weight capacity guidelines on the system that is clearly visible to forklift operators and employees on the ground is the safest way to avoid overloading a bay on the system.

Keep Floors Clean of Clutter

Since heavy-duty material handling equipment operates around pallet rack systems each and every day, it’s important not to create any unnecessary obstacles. That’s why there should always be a strong emphasis among your workforce to keep the floor of the facility clear of clutter. Forklifts are complicated machines, and often require ample room to operate safely. The last thing you want to do is force forklift operators to navigate around objects that shouldn’t be there in the first place.

Consider Widening Aisles

If the pallet rack system in your facility is continually sustaining damage from collisions with forklifts, then it might be time to think about widening the aisles between the rows of racking. Even the most highly trained forklift operators could have trouble maneuvering in a warehouse where rows of pallet racking are too close together. This often times will be a last resort, as widening the aisles could require you to remove portions of your pallet racking system, thus reducing the amount of storage space you have available.

Charlie O\’Brien is a professional writer specializing in the material handling industry. His writing focuses on new and used pallet rack, cantilever rack, and other industrial shelving, and his work has been featured on multiple material handling industry websites.

Charlie O\’Brien is a professional writer specializing in the material handling industry. His writing focuses on new and used pallet rack, cantilever rack, and other industrial shelving, and his work has been featured on multiple material handling industry websites. http://www.aceshelf.com/

Author Bio: Charlie O\’Brien is a professional writer specializing in the material handling industry. His writing focuses on new and used pallet rack, cantilever rack, and other industrial shelving, and his work has been featured on multiple material handling industry websites.

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