Load beams – the horizontal members of a rack system – are, in all modern and most ancient systems, located onto the uprights by means of some arrangement of hooks or lugs that locate into perforations in the post. The hooks are specifically designed so that when the beam is dropped into place and properly located it will safely support the downwards vertical loads imposed upon it by the product – usually on pallets.
This location method is not designed to resist loads in the opposite direction, ie. upwards.
Accordingly it is usually not difficult to dislodge a beam, accidentally or otherwise, by striking it from beneath. Preventing beams from being accidentally displaced – for instance by the forklift inadvertently lifting too high – is the function of the beam safety clip or pin.
This device is absolutely vital to the safety of any system, and if not installed, or missing, the rack cannot be considered safe.
These are two commonly used types of safety clip. That on the left is a simple drop-in ‘hook’, while the other is spring-clip mounted stud. Both fulfill the same function, but while the drop-in pin is cheaper to produce and easier to install, the spring-clip is more highly visible – an advantage when visually inspecting high racks from ground level.
It is important to understand that these clips are not considered structural components – they are not intended to take any part in the strength or rigidity of the system – merely to prevent accidental unseating of the beam. They will not resist upwards forces to the extent that, for instance, the forklift can topple the rack over. They will break or give way before forces reach that degree of severity. For this reason it is never recommended that beams be additionally secured with nuts and bolts. This is frowned upon, and considered unsafe practice.
Warehouse managers and operators should be constantly vigilant for all safety issues, and checking that all load pins are in place at all times is a vital part of any rack safety check.
Which, as we’ve pointed out previously, needs to be a regular and frequent event.
If in any doubt the operator should refer immediately to the original supplier of the equipment. If the original supplier is not known then Barpro will be very pleased to advise.
Ultimately rack safety is your responsibility.
Alan Moule