Warehouse Rack Lifespan and Safety

Warehouse racks provide incredible value to an efficient and safe workplace environment. When you have a cohesive system in place, it’s not always easy to replicate it when relocating to a new warehouse setup. With production targets to consider and the need for fast relocation a priority, industrial racking safety is an essential part of making a safe and smooth transition. 

Creating a Warehouse Rack Safety Relocation Plan

With so many different priorities and logistics matters to consider, having a clearly defined plan helps reduce the potential for safety risks, oversights and damage to warehouse racks. Before following through with a warehouse relocation, make sure you’re doing the following as part of your plan:

• Confirming the key dates of the planned relocation
• Checking if different permits or regulations are needed in the new location 
• Conducting inventory checks to ensure all racking is accounted for 
• Scheduling the appropriate warehouse rack maintenance and inspection
• Communicating with team members and other workforces on how to efficiently move equipment 

Establishing all of the above ahead of time allows for a much smoother process when you’re officially making your move to a new location. 

Warehouse Racking and Layout Optimization

Storage rack safety involves assessing the new warehouse layout. This includes evaluating the size of your racking inventory in relation to the layout in your new warehouse space. 

It’s also important to check the stability of any new racking systems and pay attention to variables like the distance between racked items and storage or dispatch. Ensuring items are easy to reach and forklifts have enough space can help prevent accidents.

Consider the flow of goods, accessibility and the types of materials being stored. Analyze traffic patterns to minimize congestion and potential collisions, and ensure adequate aisle widths for forklifts and other equipment. Proper layout optimization enhances efficiency, reduces handling times and improves overall warehouse safety. A well-designed layout also allows for future expansion and changing storage needs.

Moving and Warehouse Rack Longevity

Rack longevity should always be a priority from both a safety and an expansion perspective. Relocating to a new warehouse is an opportunity to reassess your storage to better suit your company’s safety and production needs. Consider upgrading to more durable or efficient racking solutions. 

You should also properly disassemble, transport and reassemble your racks to prevent damage. Ensure the new location has a suitable floor surface and load-bearing capacity. Taking these steps will maximize the lifespan of your racking system and ensure a safe and productive warehouse environment. For example, avoiding damage from using forklifts in tight spaces can significantly extend pallet rack life and prevent long-term issues later on due to racking issues.

Storage Rack Safety and Compliance 

A poorly maintained space that doesn’t strongly focus on safety can lead to several warehouse hazards. For storage racks, these are easily avoidable by prioritizing racking system maintenance. Whether you’re checking for signs your pallet racks need repair or planning to install a completely new rack, your warehouse relocation should involve regular maintenance and safety checks. 

Neglected racking or poor warehouse rack safety can become increasingly dangerous or financially damaging if left undetected. Poor structural integrity or an uneven rack can lead to accidents, production stoppage, lost inventory and other consequences. 

You can implement preventative maintenance for storage racks to reduce these safety concerns. 

Preventative Maintenance for Storage Racks

Warehouse managers have a lot to deal with during a relocation. For businesses that handle frequent loading and unloading and operate in harsh environments, their racking will be more prone to wear and tear.

Even the slightest bit of damage, even if it appears superficial, may have a big impact on racking. Damaged rack identification requires a proactive approach that includes:

• Weekly visual checks along the warehouse floor for aisle blockages, even pallet placement and missing components
• Monthly maintenance checks for clear load labels, missing safety clips and column guards to extend pallet rack life
• Quarterly inspections for corrosion or rust near racking joints and level, anchored components 
• Annual third-party inspection of racking configurations, procedures and warehouse layout 

Racking System Maintenance Tips

Knowing how to extend the life of warehouse racking includes combining smart inventory practices with a maintenance plan that’s constantly evolving. Some important racking system maintenance tips to adhere to after relocating to a new warehouse include: 

• Implementing clear labeling and signage to reduce order picking delays and potential errors 
• Incorporating inventory monitoring technology 
• Organizing inventory based on its turnover rate
• Reviewing warehouse storage needs to prevent overloading racking systems 
• Providing enough lighting around the rack area for safer loading 
• Monitoring rack areas for extreme heat or cold 
• Keeping records of all racking systems to ensure compliance during audits 

Training warehouse staff on the latest racking use and load handling protocols, damaged rack identification practices, and the benefits of the warehouse rack cost savings that come from being compliant are also key ways to reduce racking system issues. 

Industrial Racking Safety and Relevant Building Codes

Relocating to a new warehouse also includes being aware of the changes to industrial racking safety, load capacity and anchoring requirements. With the 2020 Canadian Building Code as reference, the updated 2025 Canadian Building Code is anticipated to include guidance on keeping detailed safety records and the following key areas: 

• Rack anchoring of uprights to the warehouse floor to maintain seismic resistance standards
• Poor pallet rack condition, a focus area for safety inspectors looking for broken, damaged or oversized pallets 
• Visible bending, rust and impact damage and how they relate to poor rack safety 

When relocating to a new warehouse, noting all of these considerations can optimize the safety and performance of your racking systems. Implement the right plan and steps to reduce potential damage and save your organization from unnecessary production delays and repair costs. 

Racking Safety Services for Warehouses From Arbon Canada

Learning how to tell if warehouse racks are safe is a continual process. If your warehouse racking isn’t certified or has been modified since gaining certification, an engineer needs to perform a new professional structural review. This keeps warehouse racking structures safe and free of defects.

At Arbon Canada, we’re a leading provider of racking services, including installs, health and safety reviews, inspection programs, and layouts. Contact us today to learn more about getting a free facility evaluation by our team.