Shelving, like all storage equipment, deteriorates over time due to general wear and tear. A timely and proper examination of these items could prevent many problems in a warehouse or distribution center, such as damage and loss of goods. Here are some reasons why it is important to inspect warehouse racking.
Racking assemblies are used to store and preserve goods in a warehouse or distribution center. They are the backbone of the distribution system and there are many different warehouse racking options. Whichever one you choose, they must be monitored to avoid problems that could cripple the entire operation.
SEE ALSO: 4 great reasons to install warehouse protection barriers.
A warehouse racking inspection must take into account a number of criteria, some of which are described below. They must be properly evaluated to get the maximum benefit from the operation, from safety to speed of delivery and efficiency. Timing is also important and warehouse racking inspection must be properly scheduled.
If you are looking for someone to supply or install warehouse racking, or perform warehouse racking inspections in Mexico, Brazil or the United States, contact us at.
Inspecting warehouse shelves: what to do and when to do it
A good warehouse racking inspection follows a clear checklist. Some of these look for faults in the system, while others identify degradation or the potential for equipment deterioration in the near future.
Screws, nuts and bolts are checked to identify missing or loose units, and gaps between bracing, columns, beams and decks are checked for gaps. Metal shelving is checked for signs of rust and should be free of dust, as well as water or any other liquid that may be corrosive.
We also look for bumps, scratches and other impact effects inside the racks, caused by forklifts or heavy stored goods.
Although some damage may be clearly visible, sometimes it will be less obvious, so a thorough inspection of the warehouse shelves is necessary.
Other considerations to take into account during a warehouse racking inspection are the condition of the floor where the racks are located, any leaks in the ceiling that could be causing damage, and proper compliance with rack weight and size limits. Some goods may have specific storage requirements that must also be checked.
The frequency of a warehouse racking inspection will depend on the specificities of each structure and the regulations of the territory of operation. However, there are usually weekly visual checks and reports, detailed monthly inspections and annual reviews by a qualified technician.
8 advantages of warehouse racking inspection
A systematic and periodic inspection of warehouse racking is necessary for the best performance of your warehouse, for the following eight reasons:
1) Increases operational safety
Inspection of warehouse racking is vital to maintain and improve operational safety. This type of monitoring helps to control the condition of the infrastructure, which is key to avoid collapses and related accidents, which are often very dangerous.
Generally, to support a given weight, racks are built with rigid materials that can cause serious injury if they fall on someone. Thus, identifying and replacing bad parts will be crucial to preserve a risk-free environment before the worst happens.
2) Complies with legal regulations
Depending on their territory, different standards regulate the industries, and the inspection of warehouse racking is often part of them. As work equipment, these structures must follow specific regulatory characteristics, such as material, location, storage capacity and dimensions.
In the United States, for example, there is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Although it does not include a specific clause relating to racking, it requires warehouses to store their goods in a safe and stable manner, which means that inspection of warehouse racking will contribute to certification.
3) Cost reduction
Proper inspection of warehouse shelving can represent an additional expense in the management of this facility. However, shirking your responsibility and failing to perform this oversight can cost you even more.
For example, think of all the charges you have to handle if you have failed to check one of your racks in time, causing it to fall, damage your goods and facilities, and injure one of your workers. This could lead to shutdown of operations and the associated huge costs.
4) Identifies possible deficiencies
A thorough inspection of warehouse racks often reveals other deficiencies in the equipment, not only its visible damage, but also problems in the assembly and quality of its parts. Over time, obsolescence may need to be considered.
Although proper racking construction is crucial to avoid accidents and damage to stored goods, this is not the full extent of its function. Poor infrastructure also means that the warehouse cannot operate at full capacity and can slow down distribution.
Top eight benefits of warehouse racking inspection
5) Increases storage capacity
Racking in perfect condition helps to increase the capacity of your warehouse because, by having its equipment complete and functional, it can receive more goods and merchandise to store. In this way, a greater durability is achieved in times of crisis.
In turn, this leads to increased distribution speed. With more space to offer, a warehouse racking inspection also benefits productivity and efficiency, which means profits and growth for your business.
6) Extends the life of equipment
When a rack is damaged and poorly maintained, its service life is greatly reduced. A minor problem, if not addressed in time, can grow and even lead to catastrophic failure. Inspection of warehouse racking is important to identify situations that may deteriorate.
Replacing a single damaged part is much cheaper than buying another rack, not to mention the costs associated with structural failure. Therefore, it is better to perform the inspection of warehouse racks in time to extend the service life of the stored items.
7) Sensitize staff
Taking care of the warehouse facilities is not only the responsibility of the owners or managers, but also of all the personnel working in the warehouse, from those who unload the goods and store them to the personnel in charge of cleaning.
A warehouse racking inspection helps to provide early warning of a bump, dent or even a leak, thus avoiding major damage that could endanger personnel, cause costs and disrupt overall operation. Proper reporting also helps to record and track less visible problems.
8) Improve the appearance of the warehouse
Finally, inspecting warehouse racking will help ensure that these workplaces, in addition to being free of hazards, look good and are pleasant to work in. It may not seem like an important point, but it fosters a high level of professionalism and pride in the job.
A well arranged, tidy warehouse, with quality equipment and in good condition, can even generate some peace of mind; no one wants to be surrounded by poorly placed, corroded, dirty shelves or shelves that may be about to fall down.
Final thoughts on the inspection of warehouse racks
All storage equipment deteriorates with use, but having quality, well-maintained, well-positioned, compliant and clean items is essential to the smooth running of your business.
Therefore, the inspection of warehouse racking is of vital importance, as it will help you ensure that these structures meet the necessary standards to make your facility a safe and risk-free environment.
Timely inspections will help you avoid many inconveniences and expenses, so it is more than necessary to carry them out.
Serviap Logistics offers inspection of warehouse racks
At Serviap Logistics we supply and install warehouse racking, as well as perform warehouse racking inspections in Mexico, Brazil and the United States. We also offer signage, floor marking and collision protection in warehouses .
In addition, we offer project management services to oversee the installation, remodeling or relocation of a warehouse, including any of the services mentioned above.
We are committed to service excellence, which is why we meet the highest safety standards wherever we operate. Our satisfied customers include some of the world’s largest and best-known companies from a variety of industries, including automotive, e-commerce and wholesale.
Contact us at to learn more about how we can help your warehouse.
