Regarding warehouse safety topics and maintenance, protecting valuable pallet racks that support the entire logistical framework is a top priority. The cost of damage to a warehouse can reach astronomical figures, ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Neglecting vital repairs and leaving safety hazards unaddressed can even invite penalties, resulting in further losses in the form of hefty fines imposed by regulatory bodies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), reinforcing the importance of rack protection products.
In this article, we delve into the importance of incorporating rack protection products into every warehouse’s infrastructure, starting with detailed steps for assessing newly built warehouses and established warehouses. Later, we will look at the advantages of using protection products as a part of your plan. By looking into the benefits of these safeguards, we shed light on how they protect your business assets and ensure compliance with stringent safety standards set forth by regulatory authorities.
ANSI MH16.1 standards state that “collisions of forklift trucks or other moving equipment with front columns are the most important source of structural distress of storage racks.” Racking systems need to have adequate protection against impacts and damage. The ANSI MH16.1 standards recommend, “The first way is the provision for protective devices that will prevent trucks from hitting the exposed columns.”
Assessment questions for your warehouse rack protection needs
The first crucial step lies in assessing your warehouse and creating the most appropriate protection plan for your warehouse setup. A thoughtful and methodical inspection assessment will ensure that the chosen protection products align precisely with your warehouse’s needs, maximizing their effectiveness and value. Here are key considerations to guide your assessment process:
Traffic Flow Analysis: Undertake a comprehensive walkthrough of your warehouse and meticulously observe the areas with the most traffic. Your warehouse management software might give you insights into aisles with higher traffic than others. These most used zones are particularly susceptible to accidental collisions with forklifts and other machinery. Prioritizing protection in these high-traffic regions can significantly reduce the risk of costly damage and potential safety hazards.
Pick-and-Place Usage: Identify the racks that experience the most frequent pick-and-place activities. Due to constant handling, these racks are more prone to daily wear and tear, necessitating protection to maintain their structural integrity and prolong their lifespan. Again, your warehouse management software may give you insight into bays with higher traffic than others. Focus on protection plans for these high-traffic bays.
Rack System Type: Consider the specific type of rack system prevalent in your warehouse, whether it be drive-in racks, pallet flow racks, pushback racks, selective racks, or VNA (Very Narrow Aisle) racks. Different rack systems demand unique protection solutions for their distinctive design and usage patterns. For instance, drive-in racks may require protection at the entry points to safeguard against forklift impacts during loading and unloading. VNA racks need non-protruding guards to save precious aisle space while maximizing protection.
Prioritize Areas with Past Damage: Identify any previously occurring damage incidents to your rack system. Areas that have experienced impacts before are clear indicators of vulnerability and warrant heightened protection. Addressing these weak points proactively can prevent recurring damages and mitigate potential risks. Consider using a DAMO PRO repair kit with integrated protection components to repair and protect your racks simultaneously.
Height of Racks: Height is critical in rack protection considerations. Taller racks bring heightened collision fears, as any mishap can lead to cascading damage. Installing protection measures for the lower parts of tall racks can help reduce the severity of impacts and minimize damage propagation.
Current rack design: Look at the current rack build in your warehouse. Often, electrical conduits or sprinkler fire suppression systems are near your racks. Consider adding rack protection in these locations. Damage to racks may result in damage to these nearby systems, which is costly and creates additional hazards to personnel, inventory, and the warehouse.
Inventory Risk and Weight Consideration: Assess the risk associated with the inventory stored on each rack. Heavier materials pose increased stress on the racks, necessitating additional protection to ensure their durability and ability to support the load. Moreover, costly or volatile materials should be safeguarded to avoid financial losses and potential hazards.
Conducting a comprehensive inspection of your warehouse’s specific needs and vulnerabilities is a fundamental step in selecting the correct rack protection products. By customizing protection solutions based on traffic patterns, usage frequency, rack type, historical damage, inventory characteristics, and rack height, you can ensure that your warehouse remains secure, efficient, and optimally equipped to preserve valuable assets and your workforce’s safety. Damotech’s professionals can assist you in this stage to assess any needs. Do not hesitate to schedule an inspection today.
Whether you are constructing a new warehouse or evaluating protective measures for an existing one, the significance of rack protection products cannot be overstated. It is imperative to consider rack protection as an integral component of your warehouse infrastructure.
From saving on costly repairs in the future to fostering a culture of safety, incorporating protective measures ensures the resilience of your racking systems. It strengthens your warehouse’s overall operational efficiency. Embrace the ethos of early investment and protective foresight, and your warehouse will stand tall as a model of asset preservation and employee well-being.
Here are key considerations for both new and existing warehouses:
Building a new warehouse is a significant capital investment. By incorporating rack protection products from the beginning, you invest cost-efficiently in safeguarding your brand-new racks. Prevention is always better than cure, and starting with protective measures will help minimize potential repair and replacement expenses. New OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) racking systems often come with basic steel pallet rack uprights that lack additional protection. By proactively installing guards and protectors during the initial setup, you ensure the preservation of these new racks, extending their lifespan and reducing the need for costly repairs and replacements in the future.
Prioritizing rack protection from the outset establishes a strong safety culture within the warehouse. By demonstrating a commitment to protect assets and employees, you foster a workplace environment that values the well-being of its workforce, leading to increased productivity and employee safety.
Integrating rack protection products during construction ensures a smooth and streamlined installation process. Working closely with the racking system suppliers, you can opt for tailored solutions that perfectly align with the warehouse’s layout and design, creating a cohesive protective infrastructure.
If your warehouse has been in operation for some time without protective measures, it’s crucial to assess vulnerable areas thoroughly. Identifying zones with a history of damage or high traffic flow can guide you in strategically implementing rack protection products where they are most needed.
For existing warehouses, introducing rack protection products is an opportunity to enhance your rack system’s safety and longevity incrementally. Prioritize areas with the greatest need and implement protection solutions step-by-step, considering the budget and immediate requirements. Installing rack protection in existing warehouses helps demonstrate compliance with safety regulations and industry standards. Additionally, it reduces the potential for legal liability in case of accidents or injuries, as you can prove that adequate measures were taken to prevent such incidents. Column guards protect “rack uprights and structural rack columns from possible damage due to a collision with a lift truck or a load transported by a vehicle” (MHI).
Warehouses evolve with inventory, equipment, and traffic patterns changes. By adding protection products, you can adapt to these evolving needs, ensuring your rack system remains resilient and responsive to new operational demands.
When safeguarding your warehouse assets and ensuring the utmost safety for your workforce, Damotech stands as an industry leader in pallet rack repair and protection. Offering a range of engineered rack protection products that outshine the competition, Damotech provides a series of advantages that set it apart.
Thicker Steel Construction: Our rack protection products’ sturdy construction provides enhanced durability and superior resistance to impacts. They can withstand the rigors of heavy warehouse usage and offer long-lasting protection for your valuable rack systems.
Engineering: All our pallet rack protection products are engineered to the highest industry standards to provide structural protection that exceeds and enhances your current structure.
Structural Steel Integrity: Damotech’s protection products utilize high-quality structural steel to ensure maximum load-bearing capacity and structural integrity, delivering robust protection against potential collisions and impacts from industrial equipment.
Additional Pallet Rack Anchor Points: Our protection products are engineered with additional anchor points to ensure secure attachment to the floor, preventing any risk of dislodgment or compromised protection during critical moments and transferring force to the concrete instead of the racking. These additional anchor points transfer the impact force to the concrete flooring rather than the racking column. Rack protection products bolted to the columns transfer the impact energy to the racking column.
Superior Design Over Plastic Alternatives: Damotech’s rack protection products are meticulously designed to outperform most products, including plastic pallet rack guards. Our steel-based solutions offer unmatched strength, impact resistance, and longevity, providing a substantial upgrade in protection compared to plastic options.
Choosing Damotech for your rack protection ensures the safety of your warehouse, employees, and inventory while supporting the longevity and efficiency of your operations. Our thick steel rack protection products offer superior strength, durability, and security, making them a wise investment for long-term safety and reliability.
Whether building a new warehouse, expanding an existing one, or improving your current setup, it’s always the right time to add rack protection. Damotech’s trusted solutions protect your racks and reduce costly repairs from forklift impacts. Contact us today to get started and find the perfect rack protection.