Damage Prevention And Repairs Of Pallet Racks

Warehouse owners and managers are often reluctant to fix structural damages or replace damaged racks because this usually means a halt in the operations flow and time wasted on unloading and reloading the rack. However, there are alternatives to avoid this problem, and one of them is having only the affected areas of the rack cut out and replaced.

Probably the most common reason for needing pallet racking repairs is the damage caused by forklifts and reach-trucks that accidentally smash into the lower levels of the uprights. Any repair work should be carried out by trained personnel only, for the safety and durability of the pallet racking system.

Before any pallet racking repairs can begin, the first step is to conduct a careful inspection of the warehouse and schedule regular maintenance work. If you spot a problem, assess the damage and whether it requires unloading the rack. The best way to minimize downtime is to fix the problem while the rack is in its place, and sometimes, unloading only the faulty section of the rack may be enough. Next, remove the damaged portion by cutting it at the height of the replacement post, remove the anchors, and install the sleeve and the welded or bolted repair kit; you can also opt for a sloped-leg repair kit. The choice should be made depending on the needs of the racking system, but bolted repair kits are usually enough for the lower levels. The welded repair kit comes with a welded straddle upright protector, but note that only certified welders are allowed to do the welding work. After welding the repair kit, the rack is ready to be anchored and reloaded. On the other hand, you can also check this warehouse racking in Sydney.

Preventative safety measures

To make the lower levels of the rack stronger and prevent damage from re-occurring, you can have an extra post added. Safety can also be increased when you install a bolt-on straddle protector, an anchored column protector, or a bolted column protector, with or without side holes, while an anchored end of aisle guard is another handy method (since it requires no assembly) of protecting the end rows from potential damage. If your warehouse has special repair requirements, make sure to ask for a customized repair kit, though.

To minimize the risk of accidents and the need for potentially costly repairs, it is recommended to design a safety program for your pallet racks; as part of this program’s preventative measures, it is absolutely necessary that the racks are not loaded beyond their stated capacity, and that the equipment used to increase safety in the warehouse is installed correctly and inspected regularly.