Does Pallet Racking Require Safety Backing?

Pallet rack safety backing is a measure to improve warehouse safety by preventing any falling items within the warehouse. Warehouse incidents caused by falling items make up a large percentage of the yearly workplace injuries and lost inventory percentages. Over 50,000 workplace injuries occur every year and the main instigator is falling objects from pallet racking and commercial shelving.

The main solution to bolster your warehouse against falling hazards is pallet rack safety backing.

Pallet rack safety backing is made of welded wire mesh panels or nets that attach to the back of your pallet racking system, enclosing the pallet rack bay or shelf level and preventing items from falling, or being pushed off of the racing.

When  to Use Safety Backing

Pallet-racking back guards protect against more than just personal injury. It also protects against lost inventory, pallet racking damage and forklift damage.

It is an added layer of overall pallet rack safety for the warehouse that can be reinforced for overhead storage levels. Any possibility of products falling from overhead is a risk that needs to be minimized in your business. Back-to-back pallet racking systems do not usually require safety backing, but stand-alone rows with open backs not against a wall are the primary culprits for falling stock.

Forklifts can very easily push pallets, boxes and other products too far and off the back of the shelf level.

Safety for Staff

Designated pedestrian walkways need to be free of hazards, especially falling objects and trip hazards. When working around potential risks, warehouses must have markings and caution signs around the area, and pallet rack netting present.

Some round or cylindrical products are prone to tipping and roll off of shelves, such as canisters or other odd-shaped items. Pallet rack backing or a wire partition needs to be in effect to prevent them from harming staff. High bay racking is nearly impossible to see when loading and unloading, where even the most skilled forklift operators risk bumping or knocking products due to lack of visibility.

Pallet racking back netting prevents damage and harm in these instances where difficult forklift angles can result in an incident.

Types of Backing

The wire mesh backing is formed of panels made from sturdy wire mesh, framed and fitted for each specific bay of pallet racking. It is stronger, more durable and safe as a backing option than netting.

Pallet rack netting is similar but consists of plastic or nylon mesh rather than solid metal, able to span an entire row of pallet racking and trimmed according to the system dimensions.

For more information on pallet racking safety measures, contact the team at Monarch Shelving today.