Response from Barpro’s SARI ( SEMA approved rack inspector) Barri Malherbe when asked to list the 5 biggest problems he encountered during recent rack inspections.
- PLACEMENT OF PALLETS IN RACKING
SEMA prescribes 75mm or 100mm clearance between pallet and rack uprights depending on the height. A significant percentage of operators of MHE (materials handling equipment) leave no clearance here. Damage then occurs on removal of pallets and when the driver turns out to early, causing damages to the upright or bracing. You can see this as braces just above beam levels are damaged.
- BAD MHE DRIVING PRACTICES
MHE operators are a key factor when it comes to rack damage – especially when placing and retrieving pallets. Their forks aren’t always at the right angle especially higher locations and the rear beams are often damaged or even dislodged(if the gravity pins are not in position). These beams then collapse, possibly hours or days later.
- UNSUITABLE PALLETS
Another point of concern are the pallets that are utilized in the warehouses. Although Chep, Euro and similar pallet designs are used, there are export or shipping pallets which are simply no good for long-term storage. These pallets can collapse when they are stored because their blocks are not 100% aligned to the load beams. Blocks are too small 75 mm to 100 mm whereas the other pallets are 150 mm.
- RESTRICTED WORKING AREAS
There is currently a shortage of freezer storage in South Africa. Pallets are stored in the gangways, causing MHE to travel too close to the racking structure, resulting in impacts.
- LOAD NOTICE BOARDS
LNB (Load Notice Boards) are the foundation of rack safety as they detail rack beam levels and overall weights that can be stored in the racking. In most stores which I have recently inspected, the LNB are simply not there or are incorrect. Even if present, operators frequently don’t know what they mean.
