You might think you are following best practices in your warehouse – but could you be making mistakes with your storage racks? Warehouse racking should always be sturdy and well-made, but there are many other rules that should be followed with it to afford safe and efficient use.
Here are just a few ways you might be making your warehouse more dangerous and less profitable:
Overloading
When you purchase warehouse racking, it should come with information clearly displayed on Capacity Plaques regarding its weight capacity. This should be strictly followed and visibility posted in the warehouse. Adding too much weight or improper loads to your warehouse racking can cause a failure of the entire system – and employee injury, costly repairs, loss of inventory, and more!
Improper Stacking or Storage
Just as you should not overload your shelving with too many items or inventory that is too heavy, you also should not store items improperly on them. This means that items should always be stored in the right orientation, with any applicable labeling visible. It also means that inventory should be loaded into the system so that it properly rests on the rack. An overhanging load could impede a fork truck driver, fall off the rack or worse.
Overlooking Damaged Racks
The strength and integrity of your pallet racking are vital to the ongoing success of your operation. If your racks are in bad condition, they may break or fail, causing expensive and potentially dangerous damage. This can be prevented with regular inspection and routine maintenance. If you see damage, report it and ensure it is corrected in a timely manner.
Choosing Racks That Are Too Tall
The recommended height-to-depth ratio for storage is 6:1. This means your racks should not be any more than six times taller than they are deep or wide. Otherwise, your racks risk tipping over and compromising the safety of your inventory and staff. Choosing shorter, sturdier racks may seem like a waste of vertical space, but they keep your inventory and employees safer – and that is more than worth the trade!
