4 Dangers of Overloading Warehouse Racking

Warehouse racking is an essential piece of equipment in any warehouse. It’s where stock is stored and picked in order to be packed and shipped to the recipient. Organised warehouse racking is the key to efficiency, productivity and, above all else, safety. If you have racking that’s been over-packed or if inventory hasn’t been stacked correctly then it could spell trouble for your warehouse, your stock and, most importantly, your workers. In this article, we’ll be explaining why safely-stacked warehouse racking should be a priority throughout your premises, together with some tips on how to mitigate the following threats:

1. It could pose a threat to warehouse workers

warehouse racking is stacked precariously, the stock could topple over and onto nearby warehouse workers in the area. No matter the industry you work in and regardless of the materials you work with, if stock falls from warehouse racking, especially from a height, then it could cause serious harm.

It might not even be down to the way in which the stock is stacked, it could be that the warehouse racking isn’t secured property, or at all. Free-standing racking should never be used. It needs to be secured in some manner to prevent the entire shelving from collapsing or toppling. If warehouse racking falls onto a passerby, then it has the ability to cause extreme injuries.

If this happens in the workplace, especially if it’s due to negligence, whether it comes to stacking inventory or improper installation of equipment, then the affected party could file a lawsuit against you, costing you a considerable amount of money in legal fees and payouts. Ways to minimise the dangers of warehouse racking on your employees includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Ensuring warehouse racking is secured properly
• Carrying out risk assessments regularly
• Making sure stock is stacked in a safe and responsible manner
• Making sure workers are equipped with safety gear, such as a hard hat, steel-capped boots and other safety garments

2. It might hinder your warehouse equipment & machinery

If warehouse racking topples over, or if inventory falls off the shelving, not only could it harm your employees, but it could also cause damage to other pieces of warehouse equipment and machinery in the area. If you have a forklift storage area nearby that isn’t sheltered, for example, then it could quite easily be left vulnerable to warehouse racking accidents.

Forklifts are expensive to buy outright, so it’s no wonder that warehouse owners are looking for ways to protect their assets. Ways to protect other equipment in the area, including material handling machinery, include the following:

• Ensuring equipment is stored elsewhere, preferably where racking isn’t present
• Making sure that equipment storage areas are sheltered using strong and sturdy materials and structures
• Checking that warehouse racking is secured
• Conducting risk assessments regularly
• Looking to see that inventory is stacked properly and in a safe manner to prevent things from falling off or toppling over

3. It’s possible that damage could be done to your inventory

When warehouse racking is overloaded, it places additional stress on the structure itself. If stock is stacked haphazardly, there’s a good chance that it will fall off or topple over. Where it could harm workers and affect other pieces of warehouse equipment, you’ll likely end up with damaged stock that cannot be sold.

According to amcor, for the average retailer, damaged goods that could not be resold or had to be discounted due to defects cost them up to 4.4% in lost revenue. Warehouse owners will do everything they can to keep their inventory in top condition so as not to lose out on money and eat into profits. Some of the ways in which you can keep your inventory safe and secure includes:

• Making sure that stock is wrapped securely
• Checking that the warehouse racking is secure and stable
• Giving employees the right training on how to stack inventory properly
• Putting higher-value items on a much lower level

4. It may cause damage to the warehouse itself

If warehouse racking topples over, or even if inventory falls off racking shelves, especially from a height, it could cause actual damage to your warehouse. Whether it hits walls and creates holes, scrapes or marks or if it creates dents in flooring, cracks windows or damages doors, it will still cost you a considerable amount of money to make your warehouse safe and secure once again.

If you have broken windows, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to thieves as well as posing a threat to workers as there will be broken glass in the vicinity. Some of the ways in which to keep your warehouse safe from damage when it comes to the overloading of warehouse racking includes, but it not limited to, the following:

• Checking that racking is secured and is stable
• Carrying out risk assessments on a regular basis
• Making sure inventory is stacked responsibly
• Not overloading the warehouse racking
• Making sure that racking is placed in an area without any windows or door

Multy Lift has been providing customers throughout the UK with material handling equipment for over three decades. With extensive knowledge and expertise to draw upon, you’ll always be able to count on our team of specialists to provide you with your every warehouse need. We have a wealth of new and used forklifts available, as well as brand new and second-hand warehouse equipment, such as reach trucks, order pickers, pallet trucks, and more. For more information about the warehouse equipment, including mezzanine flooring, we have on offer, get in touch with a member of our dedicated, professional team today – we’re always pleased to hear from you.