Racking rarely fails suddenly. It fails after months of small, unreported impacts. A simple routine catches the damage early. This checklist follows the approach of EN 15635, which we explain in our EN 15635 guide.
Every day: operators
- Report any impact, however small, the moment it happens.
- Never load a bay that has visible damage until it is checked.
- Keep aisles clear and pallets seated fully on the beams.
Weekly or monthly: the responsible person
Walk the warehouse and look at each bay. Check:
- Uprights: dents, bends, torn metal, missing guards at the base.
- Beams: deflection, bent or twisted beams, safety pins and locks in place.
- Base plates and anchors: loose or missing bolts, cracks in the floor around the base.
- Bracing: bent or loose diagonals and horizontals.
- Load plates: present, legible, and matching what is actually stored.
- Pallets: damaged pallets and overhang, and loads within the rated capacity.
Yearly: an expert inspection
At least once a year a competent person should inspect the whole installation and record the result, with damaged items classified by urgency. They also check the original layout still matches how the warehouse is used. Racking that has been rearranged, extended or loaded differently needs its load plates reviewed.
What do I do if I find damage?
Stop loading the affected bay, unload it if needed, and have it assessed. Do not straighten or weld damaged parts yourself.
Who should keep the records?
The person you designate as responsible for racking safety. Keep dates, findings and actions, they are your evidence if you are ever asked.
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