Rack Inspection and Safety Trainings

Picture of pallet racking at QuantiParts

Rack Inspection Procedure

The first steps to having a safe logistics and supply chain distribution system should be taken in the warehouse and with the employees of the company. Your inventory and its storage are investments that you make to maintain customer confidence in your supply chain.  Your inventory and its storage and management are also a commitment to job security for your employees.  It is therefore imperative to carry out safety inspections for one of your biggest investments and assets - YOUR WAREHOUSE!

To ensure the racking and shelving in the warehouses are operationally safe all year round, we encourage our customers to work with racking safety inspectors to maintain and improve the existing storage systems. Safety enhancements will improve the efficiency in your everyday warehouse operation, comply with Australian Standards (AS4084.1:2023) and ensure the ongoing performance of your storage system. 

FAQs To Rack Inspection

This Australian Standard AS4084:2023 "Steel storage racking" is to provide designers of steel storage racking with specification for hot-rolled and cold-formed steel structural members used for action carrying purposes.

  • AS4084: 2023 Part 1 Design applies to structural design

  • AS4084: 2023 Part 2 Operations applies to installation, tolerances and clearances, operation and maintenance.

To learn if your installations comply with standards, contact us for more information. 

Although the term inspection might sound overwhelming, the importance of inspections and the results, can not be underestimated; they can make the difference between having a safe warehouse operation and one where accidents and issues can be fatal. A passed or failed inspection of storage systems can also be one of the key fundamental drivers to having an effective and reliable supply chain. 

  • A racking inspection should be carried out by a competent person via visual controls.

  • The observations during, and results of, the inspection should be documented.

  • All relevant information, observations, identified defects/ needed improvements including respective photos, should be digitally stored.

  • Finally, all recorded data should be summarised promptly in an automatically generated PDF report.  The report shoudl be reviewed together with you to talk about actions and solutions, to address any issues.

  • Additionally, the digitally stored data should be studied and analysed to derive comprehensive conclusions.

1. The intended use of your racking should be reviewed, ensuring the quality, size and type of pallets used are appropriate for its purpose.

2. The load overhang and load stability should be checked to ensure they are correctly deployed

3. The usage of materials handling equipment in relation to the design of the racking system should be checked to ensure they are appropriate

4. The beam levels deviation from original design, floor fixing, fixture and use of safety locks are reviewed to ensure they are as indicated on the design and specification.

5. Any beam deflections, damage to the frames, beams, portal beams, pallet rails, arms, floor channel etc are identified and recorded.

6. The straightness of uprights should be assessed and calibrated, if they are found to be damaged

7. Any issues with column guards and other protection accessories, should be noted.  So too should any signs of floor damage and plumbness of the rack at block/rack.

8. An inspection report for auditing and other maintenance purposes should be provided.

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