There are a lot of Illinois warehouses that seem to think once their pallet rack system is installed, they won’t have to do much else with it. The take the “set it and forget it” approach to racking. While it’s true that a good racking system should be relatively low-maintenance and last your warehouse for years to come, it’s going to work best when it continues to get regular maintenance and attention. It’s the same as any other piece of equipment in your warehouse: the better you take care of it, the longer it’s going to last and the safer it will be. The best way to avoid rack failure is by implementing a program of regular warehouse equipment inspections and maintenance.
The right maintenance is going to vary from warehouse to warehouse, depending on the type of warehouse equipment you have, how busy your warehouse is, and specific incidences such as accidents with forklifts and other machinery. However, there are a few basic inspections that most warehouses can incorporate into their routine to ensure their pallet racking is safe and sound. Here are some of the things your warehouse team should consider doing.
Basic Inspection Measures for Your Pallet Racking
- Make sure your racking is plumb and level. The stability of your pallet racking depends on the uprights remaining in a plumb vertical position. Take note of any uprights that aren’t in the proper position and repair racks that are crooked or leaning.
- Make note of rust or any corrosion that is happening on your pallet racking. These spots could become weakened and create major problems in the stability of your racking. Even flaking paint on the surface of the metal should be noted because that could be the beginning signs of corrosion.
- Check all the braces within the racking system for bending or other damage. This could be a sign that your shelves are improperly loaded with too much weight, which could put you at risk of racking collapse.
- Look for uprights that are dented, punctured or buckled. This is often the result of damage from an accident with a forklift or other machinery. The damaged uprights need to be repaired or replaced as soon as possible to avoid collapse.
- Know the weight capacity of your racking system and stick to it. Some older systems aren’t marked with the weight capacity; that can lead to accidental overloading. Look for signs of bowing in the system, as that’s one of the first signs of overloading. If the bowed piece doesn’t go back to a straight position when you remove the weight, you’ll need to remove that part of the system. A bowed piece is weakened and won’t work properly any longer.
We Can Help With Your Racking Inspection Needs
RMH Systems can help with your racking inspections! Our trained teams can come to your location in Illinois or across the United States and provide a thorough inspection of your racking system. If we do find an issue, we can get the damaged pieces repaired or replaced quickly, so there is little or no interruption to your operation. We can often repair damaged pallet racking at a fraction of the cost of replacing it, too, so you can save money while still making your space as safe as possible. Get in touch with us today to learn more about all of our pallet racking services, including layout and design as well as instalaltion, relocation, and inspections. Our team is ready to help!
Give us a call or contact us through our website to get started with a RMH project manager on your pallet racking needs.
