Working in a warehouse presents several unique situations that could compromise employee safety. There are many things that could cause an injury, like falling materials or misusing heavy machinery. Pallet racking could also go wrong and cause harm to staff and the surrounding environment.
Because of these conditions, government programs like OSHA dictate certain standards. You might be asking yourself, “Are pallet racking inspections legally required?” The technical answer is “no,” but the subject is more complex than that. Let’s explore the nuances surrounding inspections and pallet racking.
Industry Safety Standards
While inspections of your pallet racks aren’t required, storage facilities must adhere to specific standards. The ANSI (American National Standards Institute) requires that owners repair and maintain their racking systems. They must also cease using racks when they’re damaged, and cannot operate them until they are back to standard. OSHA also has similar policies that require workplaces to provide safe environments for their employees.
What To Inspect
Even though pallet racking inspections aren’t legally required, successful warehouses perform regular checks on their racking systems. Frequent rack reviews help storage facilities meet the above standards. Some typical pallet racking conditions professionals check for include:
- Rust and corrosion
- Load capacity
- Damage to beams, columns, and anchors
Why Are Inspections Important?
Pallet racking safety inspections are essential to the overall culture of a storage facility. Even though there aren’t direct legal requirements, some safety standards are difficult to maintain if you don’t check your equipment regularly. Nobody wants to work in an unsafe environment; safety inspections allow employees to feel comfortable and secure in their workplace.
At a minimum, warehouses should inspect their pallet racks annually and document any damages and repairs. In addition, a safety expert should take on the responsibility of checking these essential components and coming up with solutions to any problems they observe. Some storage facilities appoint someone in-house for this job, and others outsource the work to a third party; successful warehouses use a combination of both to meet and exceed standards.
Even though there aren’t explicit rules dictating pallet racking inspections, it’s still a good idea to check up on your equipment. Don’t wait until there’s an emergency to start inspecting your racks; contact us today and let us help you meet all of your safety needs.
