eBook - Warehouse Solutions (EM21060) - Book - Page 16
FIVE STEPS TO PROMOTING
SAFETY IN PALLETIZED STORAGE
ENVIRONMENTS
The following are five warehouse design
components to incorporate into a broader
safety program.
1
PROTECTION FOR RACKING
You can take several approaches to protect
the integrity of your racking structure. This
helps to keep racks in good working order
and protect your forklifts and the materials
you store.
For instance, steel column protection units
wrap around the base of the upright column
and are anchored to the concrete with wedge
or screw fasteners. There are also rubber,
steel, or plastic protectors that attach directly
to the racking frame. They can be included in
the original racking installation, which helps
reduce the total cost since the work crew
is already on-site. End-of-aisle protection,
such as a heavy guard at the end of the aisle
where frequent traffic occurs, can isolate and
help reduce the effects of impacts on racking
structures.
Another step to reinforce upright columns
at the time of purchase is to combine a
double front post with a heavy horizontal.
This can help protect frames from damage
caused by pallet strikes during put away/
picking operations. A double front post
adds a second column welded to the back
of the front upright. A heavy horizontal is
a heavier strut connecting the front and
back posts.
14
Finally, regular rack assessment
inspections should be conducted to
identify and repair/replace damaged
uprights, beams or wire decks that may
no longer be able to hold specified weight.
The Rack Manufacturers Institute (www.
rmiracksafety.org) furnishes guidelines on
how to conduct these assessments and
repairs.
2
PROTECTION FROM PRODUCT
FALLS
Another element of warehouse safety is
protecting employees from product falls. This
is important for the safety of your employees
