Four Steps to a Secure Pallet Rack –Taking a Bottom’s Up Approach
ASSESS PALLET RACK BASEPLATE SAFETY WITH THE APEX RACK REPAIR APP
When you stub your toe, twist an ankle, or drop something on your foot, your immediate reaction is to hop, limp, or lift the injured foot, momentarily throwing off your balance. Similarly, your pallet rack consistently endures impacts at its “feet.” Neglecting to address these issues properly may result in more significant concerns than just a simple “ouch.”
While adding pallet rack safety accessories to your pallet rack will help ward off damage, your system may still sustain damage from forklifts or other warehouse equipment. Additionally, components like anchor bolts can simply come loose over time due to floor vibrations. Regularly inspecting your rack system for damage or safety concerns is the best way to ward off costly repairs, downtime, and dangerous injuries. Let’s start at where your pallet racking is most vulnerable… the baseplate.
4 Steps to Baseplate Safety
- Anchoring Guidelines: Ensure each baseplate is equipped with at least one (1) anchor. Additional holes on the baseplate, although often unused, offer the flexibility for re-anchoring in case of damage, bending, or rebar impact during installation.
- Shimming Columns: To level your rack system, insert one or more shim plates beneath the baseplate. Your shims must be the same size as the baseplate and you should follow the RMI guidelines (below) for stacking. . Shims help with stability and even weight distribution for both cross-aisle and down-aisle flooring slopes.
RMI Safe Shim Stacking :
- Shim packs with a size less than twice the anchor diameter do not require “locking” through welding or the addition of a second anchor.
- For shim packs ranging from 2 to less than 6 times the anchor diameter, it is mandatory to “lock” the shims together, achieved through welding or the inclusion of a second anchor.
- Shim packs exceeding 6 times the anchor diameter are not allowed.
3. Baseplate Damage: ears, rips, or twists beyond ½” require repair. Be sure to check both front and rear baseplates.
4. Anchor Damage: Thoroughly inspect for missing, loose, or sheared anchors in both front and rear baseplates.
 Baseplate Damage |
 Column Guard Damage |
 Baseplate Measurement |
 Stacked Shims |
Apex PRO Pallet Rack Inspection… In an App!
Apex is all about warehouse safety. In fact, we have a dedicated program for rack safety, inspection, and repair. Explore Apex’s Rack Repair & Safety Program with two options: DIY using the Rack Repair App or rely on the Apex PROs certified pallet rack inspection team. The Rack Repair App allows you to perform a comprehensive inspection, capturing details and images of structural or safety issues. Your findings are uploaded to our PROs for review and next steps.
Prefer to just hand it all over to our team? The Apex PROs conduct on-site inspections using the app. Regardless of your choice, receive a detailed inspection report with impartial repair recommendations. A sturdy rack is vital for warehouse efficiency. Download the Apex Rack Repair App now, or contact us for more information.
