In the UK, you are required by law to have your pallet storage regularly inspected for signs of damage or wear and tear. It may even be a compulsory part of many insurance policies. Inspections should be carried out by a qualified professional at least once or twice a year.
However, you should also be checking your pallet storage for damage in-house on a weekly basis.
Although strong enough to support heavy loads, pallet storage is susceptible to damage from forklifts, overloading and even on occasion, employees. With expensive stock and even lives at risk from damaged pallet storage, it pays to be vigilant.
First off, it’s always best to source your pallet racking from a reputable source. It doesn’t necessarily have to be brand new; if you’re trying to save money, there are a number of quality pallet storage specialists who provide refurbished racking at a fraction of the cost.
Check pallet racking frames for bends and warping. If they are low to the ground, it may be due to forklifts or other heavy duty machinery knocking into them. Forklifts are big, powerful machines designed to lift serious loads – so if they accidentally knock against your pallet racking, they are bound to do some damage. Bent metal higher up can indicate overloading, so remove the stock and have the racking inspected as soon as possible.
Look for signs of rust, as well as missing bolts, screws and attachments. Are the footplates securely attached to the floor? The simple act of overlooking a missing bolt can be a potentially costly mistake.
And take care to check all types of pallet storage; empty pallets that have become loose over time can have hidden nails or splinters sticking out, which can cause nasty injuries.
It’s not hard to spot damaged pallet storage as long as regular checks by management and employees are in place. Encourage forklift drivers to report any minor bumps and scrapes when maneuvering around pallet racking and hammer home the importance of structurally sound pallet storage. If something looks damaged, a clear cut procedure for reporting it can go a long way towards stopping any potential threats.
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