Keeping the warehouse equipment in good repair is one of the main priorities of a warehouse manager, and at the top of that list is pallet rack repair. Proper pallet rack repair is vital to the safety and efficiency of your warehouse. When pallet racks are damaged by merchandise, machinery, or simple human error, that damage needs to be fixed as soon as possible. Whether you do it yourself or hire a company to do it for you, the repairs should be so good that the pallet racking is like new. If it’s not, that could potentially mean trouble for your warehouse in the future. Poorly repaired pallet racking can lead to worker injury, merchandise damage, and every warehouse manager’s biggest nightmare: racking collapse. A collapse can mean huge repair bills, worker’s compensation claims, work stoppages, and could even put the lives of your team at risk.
If you’ve recently had repairs done to your warehouse equipment, it’s important to inspect it to ensure it’s been done correctly. Here are some of the signs to watch for to see if the racking repairs have been done to your high standards.
Were Your Pallet Repairs Done Correctly?
There are signs of rust.
Rust should be dealt with when repairs are done. That’s because the longer rust is allowed to spread on your racking, the more it decreases the integrity of the metal and weakens it. If you still see rust on your pallet racking, it’s worth taking a second and closer look at the repairs that were done. Rust should be eliminated and the rusted areas reinforced to ensure they aren’t in danger of collapsing. You should also take steps to ensure that the source of the rust doesn’t come back.
The racking is bent.
Bent racking is bad racking. Use a straight edge to see if the edge of your racking is actually straight or just looks straight from a distance. If there is any bend to the racking, that’s a sign of bad structural integrity. Put too heavy of a load on the racking and you’ll increase the bend. That means the whole thing can come tumbling down, which is the last thing you need. Bent racking is common, especially if you use forklifts on your site, so make sure those bent areas are reinforced and that you are using rack safety equipment to prevent damage in the future.
The repairs are cosmetic.
A little paint isn’t going to prevent a racking collapse, but that’s what some people seem to think. Repairs should be taken seriously, and even minor damage can become a major problem. No matter how minor you think the repairs are, they shouldn’t simply be painted or covered over. They need to be repaired correctly so you don’t run into issues in the future. If the repairs that you are inspecting appear to be cosmetic only and no actual reinforcement have taken place, you should be concerned.
No reinforcements are present.
If there isn’t a reinforcement in sight on your pallet racking repair, it’s time to worry. Racking repair is common in the warehouse setting and reinforced columns and beams are an everyday sight. If you don’t see any on your repaired racking, get a second opinion in order to be safe. Reinforcements are inexpensive and easy to install, so there is no reason not to use them.
Look for help with your rack repair? DAK Equipment & Engineering can help. Just give us a call or contact us through our website to speak with one of our warehouse equipment experts. We’ll make sure you get the repairs you need to keep your warehouse safe!
