Regular inspections of your pallet racking system may seem like a mundane task, but they are an essential part of maintaining the safety of your warehouse or industrial storage operation. Neglecting pallet racking inspections can lead to dire consequences that not only endanger the lives of your employees but can also cost your business a significant amount of money. From potential injuries and property damage to legal liabilities and damage to reputation, the risks of ignoring pallet racking inspections are significant. The financial drawbacks of downtime caused by damaged racking can have long-lasting impact on the bottom line of your business. In this article, we will explore the importance of pallet racking inspections and why they are more crucial than you may think.
Property Damage:
A pallet racking collapse caused by damaged racking components can cause severe damage to your warehouse and the products stored within it. Such a collapse can result in costly repairs or replacement of equipment and inventory, creating a financial burden for your business. If the damage is severe enough, it may lead to a temporary or permanent closure of your warehouse, leading to a loss of revenue and customers.
Injury and Death:
Neglecting pallet racking inspections can lead to serious accidents that cause injury or death to employees or other individuals in the warehouse. Never forget that pallet racking is built from solid steel components that can each weigh hundreds of pounds, and storage loads that can weigh thousands of pounds. Rack collapses, falling loads, and other incidents can result in head trauma, broken bones, and other life-threatening injuries. Not only do these injuries harm employees but they also create emotional and financial distress for their families.
Legal Liabilities:
If an accident occurs due to neglected pallet racking inspections, your business may be liable for any injuries, property damage, or other losses. This can result in costly legal fees, fines, and even lawsuits that can severely impact your business’ finances. If your company is found to be at fault for an accident, it may damage your business’ reputation and credibility in the industry, which can further impact your bottom line in a significant way.
Damage to Reputation:
News of an accident related to a pallet racking collapse can damage your company’s reputation, leading to a loss of business and revenue in both the short and long terms. News of an accident can spread quickly, and customers as well as other stakeholders may lose trust in your ability to provide a safe working environment. This can lead to a decrease in sales, customer loyalty, and opportunities, and make it difficult to retain employees.
Financial Drawbacks of Racking Downtime:
Downtime caused by a failure in the racking can have significant financial consequences for your business. If sections of racking are unable to be used due to damage or collapse, this can create bottlenecks in operations. Order fulfillment or projects may face serious delays, leading to a loss in revenue and customer loyalty. Additionally, you may have to pay for temporary storage or additional warehouse space to accommodate inventory, further increasing costs. The longer the downtime of the racking, the greater the financial impact will be on your business.
In conclusion, neglecting pallet racking inspections can result in profound consequences, including injury, property damage, legal liabilities and damage to your business’ operations. Downtime in the racking can have significant financial drawbacks for your business. It is essential to prioritize regular inspections to ensure the safety of a warehouse and protect your business from potential consequences.
Want to learn more about Pallet Racking Inspections for your business? Contact North American Steel here or Request a Site Consultation here.
Article originally published to Inside Logistics.
