Every year, more than 15,000 injuries and illnesses occur in the storage and warehouse industries. Many of these could be easily prevented if proper, safe storage solutions were implemented.
If you have large amounts of inventory coming in and out of your warehouse on pallets, you need a storage solution that not only helps to keep your employees safe, but one that also optimizes your space. That way your business can continue to grow and increase its inventory without needing to invest in a larger storage space.
Pallet racking is one solution to both of these problems.
If you’re wondering whether a pallet rack system could be the right option for your warehouse, keep reading to learn more about this storage solution.
What is Pallet Racking?
Pallet racks are shelving systems designed to hold pallets of products.
The shape of these shelves makes it easy to move pallets on and off of the racks, while also minimizing the risk of damage to products.
There are several pallet rack options to fit different business’ needs.
Wide rack sizes allow for heavy products to be easily moved by forklifts. These types of racks typically aren’t as tall as other options. If you have more warehouse storage space than you need, this can be a relatively inexpensive way to store your products more effectively.
Narrow rack sizes are ideal for lighter products or for warehouses that are short on space. These feature more narrow aisles between shelves and are often much taller than wide racks.
Know Your Aisles
Having too narrow of aisle ways can make forklift operation a challenge, and can lead to accidents or damaged products. But wide aisles take up more space and cut into the amount of storage available in a warehouse.
Another pallet rack option are double deep racks. Fewer aisles are used, increasing space, but making it more time consuming to move products stored in the middle of a rack.
Finding a balance between the different pallet rack options that work for your business is essential. Custom rack designs are often the best choice, as they allow you to choose certain aspects of each system that work best for your business.
Legal Questions
You could order and install pallet rack systems on your own.
But thanks to heavy OSHA standards that dictate how these systems are installed, it’s a task best left to the professionals.
They’ll ensure that your racks and warehouse meet the necessary guidelines, such as having a proper sprinkler system, the right load-bearing capacity, and more, to help you avoid fines, fees, and other legal trouble.
Is Pallet Racking the Right Storage Solution for Your Warehouse?
Pallet racking can be a great way to optimize the storage space available in your warehouse and to streamline your shipping process.
And with so many different options out there, there is a pallet racking solution that works for every business, regardless of its size or the type of product it is shipping.
If you’re interested in learning more about how a custom pallet rack system could improve your warehouse’s storage, contact us today!