Storage facilities typically use racking systems to organize various products and materials. While these structures are supposed to be durable, they aren’t completely immune to wear and tear. It’s important for supervisors and staff alike to recognize damage so that they can maintain a safe work environment and avoid downtime. Discover some common causes of pallet rack collapse in warehouses to improve your facility’s conditions.
Vehicle Damage
Warehouses often use vehicles like forklifts to transport products around the work floor. Operating these vehicles is usually left to automated software and skilled technicians, but accidents can, and often do, still occur. Equipment can fail or work improperly for several reasons, often resulting in damaged pallet racks. These essential structures can sustain dents and scratches, which weaken the integrity and increase the chances of a full-blown collapse.
Uneven Loading
Pallet racks have reinforced beams to handle heavy loads. However, they still have a maximum capacity of weight they can safely hold. When warehousing employees overload racks or distribute materials unevenly, they put unnecessary strain on the structure that could cause the entire thing to crumble. This kind of damage is especially common around welded areas, like joints, where racks are naturally weaker.
Infrequent Maintenance
Most common causes of pallet rack collapse in warehouses are noticeable before the destruction occurs. Infrequent maintenance only exacerbates the problem. Allowing damage to remain without making repairs degrades structures and puts further pressure on an already weak rack. It’s important to correct issues as soon as someone identifies them to get ahead of the game before it becomes catastrophic to the workflow.
Improper Installation
Of course, if professionals improperly install your pallet racks, your warehouse is already set up for failure. Storage systems are complex in nature, so it’s easy for design and installation flaws to influence your structures’ performances. Make sure your contractors bolt down pallet racking in your facility and adhere to industry standards to ensure that your systems can withstand heavy loads.
Collapsing pallet racks pose significant safety hazards and disrupt your business’s workflow, affecting your bottom line. Take these collapse causes into consideration when inspecting your facility to identify problem areas and address them before a major accident occurs.
