The cost of pallet racking repairs can spiral without effective management systems being in place. Increasing demands on daily operations mean the likelihood of damage to your pallet racking occurring remains high. By implementing effective inspections, repairs, training and protection programmes this, overtime will help reduce your repair and maintenance costs substantially.
![P1000074[2]](http://www.warehousenews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/P10000742.jpg)
So, how can this be achieved?
Employers have a legal responsibility under current legislation and approved codes of practice for the safety of persons working in the vicinity of storage equipment and for the safe working condition of the equipment in use. Where storage equipment is services by fork lift trucks or other material handling equipment the application of risk analysis techniques should be used. This is because of the severity of the damage that can be inflicted on the racking components by this type of equipment, combined with the usually considerable weight of the unit loads being stored.
Where material handling equipment is used and the risk analysis has highlighted the chance of damage occurring to the storage equipment in use it is a recommendation of the standards that upright protection is installed in areas identified.
To assist our customers in compliance with this requirement The Rack Group Ltd designed and developed the ‘Rack Armour®’ pallet racking upright guard which has been proven to reduce material handling equipment impact damage by as much as 80%.
In accordance with section 8.1.1 of EN 15635 all employers who use storage equipment as part of their daily activities shall appoint a person responsible for storage equipment safety and the name of that person should be published to the warehouse staff. The nominated persons role and responsibility shall be to manage the safe working condition of the storage equipment in use in identified areas such as inspection, maintenance, repairs, protection and any training needs required.
To assist our customers conform to these requirements The Rack Group Ltd have created the Rack Aid® management system. This is designed to address the legal issues associated with inspections, maintenance, repairs, protection and training with industrial storage equipment.
In accordance with section 9.4.1 “storage equipment shall be checked regularly for safety and specifically for any damage that has occurred. Repairs shall be carried out in a timely and effective manner with due regard for the ongoing safety of the system since this is the basis of design. Records shall be maintained of all damage or other problems found and evaluations carried out as part of a damage reduction procedure.”
The Rack Group works closely with our customers nominated personnel by providing the appropriate information, instruction and training associated with the use of industrial storage equipment in a wide range of recognised and accredited training programmes designed to complement the role of an appointed competent person.
The Rack Group undertake the full independent inspections as required by EN 15635 standards and carry out specialised bespoke maintenance and repair programmes designed not only to replace damaged components but to enhance the life cycle of the storage equipment.
In summary the Rack Aid® management system has been designed by The Rack Group working closely with their customers to help reduce racking maintenance costs throughout the industry. Pallet racking repairs can be a costly and time consuming exercise, however introducing the Rack Aid Management System as part of your racking maintenance programme dramatically reduces time, cost and disruption.
The Rack Group Ltd
Comments are closed.