New Canadian storage rack guidelines could help British businesses
From January 2018, new guidelines come into force in Canada that affect the installation and use of steel storage racks.
Though the guidelines are aimed at Canadian businesses, most of them are common sense and could form the basis of best safety practices for British companies. The guidelines can be downloaded here.
Steel racks include warehouse shelving, pallet racking and cantilever racks, all of which are commonly found in warehouses and storage areas.
The guidelines are designed to make workers aware of the potential hazards of storage racks. Employers and employees have a responsibility for safety when installing, using and inspecting steel racks. Good safety practices can prevent injuries and accidents.
There are several strategies that can be used to improve the safety of steel storage. All racks should be identified and previous paperwork found on inspections, servicing or repairs. They should be inspected for rust, damage or corrosion, and racks in a bad condition should be replaced.
All racks should have a maximum load capacity and this must not be exceeded. Items stored on racks need to safely placed with no overhangs.
A safety program of regular inspections and maintenance work needs to be scheduled, and staff working in areas that contain steel storage need training to make sure that they follow all material handling safe practices.
If forklift trucks and other vehicles work in storage areas, safety warning signs should be displayed and safety barriers erected to separate pedestrians from vehicles.
