A secure and efficient storage system is the backbone of a productive storage facility. Ensuring your racking is in good condition and compliant, with each pallet location optimised, gives your business and employees every opportunity to thrive in a safe working environment.
Yet, the daily operations of any facility with a high level of functionality pose a number of dangers to your racking system and personnel. None more so than collisions resulting from the improper use of MHE (Material Handling Equipment). Damaged or weakened components and quarantined aisles result in costly outages and operational disruption. In extreme cases, cumulative damage or heavy impact can lead to potentially fatal racking collapses; therefore, mitigating these risks with racking protection products is a logical and responsible solution.
Despite the advantages of rack protection, it is frequently neglected. AS4084:2023 recommends installing rack protection wherever lift trucks and other vehicles are likely to collide. However, many businesses forego it in favour of increased storage capacity or regard it as an unnecessary expense.
Regarding the latter, fluctuating steel prices provide sufficient motivation to safeguard your assets. Costs associated with rack maintenance can rapidly become unmanageable if components are exposed. In extreme circumstances, failure to act may result in an unsalvageable storage system and the daunting prospect of replacing all racking! With more than 80% of MHE impact occurring within the first two metres of your racking, this is an issue that we can all influence with even the most fundamental protection products.
So, what is the best method for safeguarding your storage equipment? As there are numerous products on the market (and not all of them serve the same purpose), our experts have compiled a list to assist you in selecting the racking protection products most suited to your configuration, thereby maximising the potential of your warehouse.
Steel Vertical Security
Steel protectors, or Column Guards, are the most common method for preventing forklift and pallet truck collisions and a good place to start. However, on the market, there are numerous options with varying functions. So, which one(s) do you require for your configuration?
Four-Sided Column Protection
Standard in most storage facilities, the Four-Sided Column Guard predominantly protects the racking upright post. Typically fabricated from a single sheet of 3mm thick steel, folded into a semi-pentagonal shape, and affixed to the floor, they offer a sturdy defence against collisions without causing damage to your handling equipment.
End-Aisle Barriers
The End-of-Aisle Barrier is essential for protecting pallet racks. No other portion of your racking is more exposed to site traffic than the row’s leading frame. Critical components of the mounting structure are susceptible to significant impact if left unprotected. Again, there are various options, but we’ve enumerated the two most common below.
High-visibility Steel End-Barriers mitigate dangers at the end of aisles by providing forklift operators with a visual aid and a solid impact barrier.
Wrap Around Column Guard
Wrap-Around Column Guard is an alternative to the conventional Column Guard. As its name implies, it wraps around the front face of the upright, providing additional protection for the post and baseplate and shielding the low-level frame braces from forks or haphazardly placed pallets.
Corner Guard
The extremities at the end of racking aisles in high-traffic warehouses are frequently the most vulnerable. The Corner Guard softens sharp corners and deflects impacts from turning forklifts. Numerous warehouses will combine the Corner Guard with an End-of-Aisle Barrier for added security.
Rack Deflector
Rack Deflector is a low-cost, convenient, and long-lasting barrier against day-to-day operational wear and tear. It is an ideal solution for high-density or narrow-aisle pallet racking configurations. Its slender design minimises aisle intrusion, protecting the most vulnerable section of your racking without reducing safe working clearances, allowing you to maximise your storage capacity safely.
Installation of the Rack Deflector is simple and rapid, as it attaches directly to the racking upright using an intuitive serrated-clip system. This user-friendly lift-and-clip method and a durable, all-weather, high-visibility polyethene exterior make the Rack Deflector an ideal choice for any warehouse setting.
Tubular Guard
Tubular Guard is typically utilised on pallet racking profiles with a first beam level less than 500mm from the floor. Beam levels below this height are incompatible with standard steel barriers (mentioned previously). The Tubular Guard, a 500x90mm galvanised post, is attached in front of the upright, utilising a heavy-duty steel plate.
Guide Rails
Guide Rail systems regulate and optimise forklift movement while keeping MHE operators at a safe distance from storage. They are effective with narrow-aisle pallet racking and can be installed flush to your storage equipment on the floor. They can be used in a variety of locations within your warehouse. In addition, they offer an efficient means of protecting Cantilever Racking.
Warehouse Security Barriers
A robust Warehouse Barrier System safeguards the warehouse’s building columns, machinery, packing areas, and loading ports. In addition, they can strengthen your pedestrian walkways by safeguarding your employees and plainly defining traffic lanes for MHE operators.
It is never too late to assess (and re-evaluate) the safety of your storage apparatus, regardless of whether you manage a new or well-established storage facility; a proactive approach is essential. Indicators of the need for rack protection include indications of frequent impact or recurrent component damage.
Bowen Storage provides a vast selection of products, safety accessories, and services; our knowledgeable staff is available to guide you through the process so that you can make an informed decision about the future of your business.
If you found this article interesting, you may also be interested in reading the following:
- Successful Warehouse Operations Start With Good Warehouse Layout
- How Businesses Can Properly Maintain Pallet Racking
- Fully Customised Warehouse Facility Designed for Productivity
- Seven Mistakes to Avoid with Your Warehouse Racking System
© 2023 Bowen Storage. All Rights Reserved.
