Warehouse Safety Training

Forklift impact is the primary cause of damage to pallet racking, with damage located most frequently, close to the base of the upright. The structural integrity of the racking system becomes comprised resulting in a reduced bearing load capacity and an increased risk of collapse. Even low impacts from forklifts or other material handling equipment, such as, pallet jacks can lead to or cause severe damage. Prevention on minimization of damage by forklifts or other equipment is key to reducing damage to racking structures.

1. Anyone who operates forklifts or other material handling equipment around racking, shelving or other storage systems.
2. Other warehouse personnel who work around racking systems

AIM

To provide information to enable individuals to gain a sound understanding of the safe use of Fork Lift Trucks and other mechanical handling equipment when used with pallet racking. By adopting best of practice, in accordance with relevant standards and health and safety legislation, minimise the potential risk of injury to personnel, damage to goods and interruption to business.

Course Objectives

On Completion of the course, attendees should understand:

• The legal responsibilities of the users of racking systems
• The importance of Load Notices/ Plaques, and the information that they provide
• The limitations of racking systems vs Fork Lift Trucks and other material handling equipment
• How typical damage is caused and identifying hazards.
• The importance of reporting damage as soon as they occur or are observed
• The quality, types and condition of pallets that can be used in racking systems.
• The consequences of not maintaining the storage system in a safe condition.
• The results and consequences of storage concept change.

Duration : 6-7 hours includes theoretical and practical components

Training ensures that the inspections meet industry standards (RMI, SEMA, FEM, etc). It ensures that the storage equipment assessments are consistent and of a high quality and with experience and continued education, helps to build competency.

Industry professionals who carry out “expert” third party inspections of 

• Pallet racking 
• Shelving  
• Other storage equipment at end-user storage facilities

AIM

The course aims to provide information and tools to allow individuals to safely inspect storage  systems. By adopting best of practice, according to industry guidelines and health and safety legislation, these tools and information help to minimize the potential risk of injury to personnel, damage to goods and interruption to business.

Course Objectives 

On completion of the course, attendees should be able to:

• Understand the need for and how to carry out a risk assessment
• Understand good warehouse design principles
• Demonstrate an understanding of racking principles 
• Understand basic design concept and purpose of individual components. 
• Understand good/safe storage practice 
• Understand the correct use of the racking system and its limitations
• Understand the results and consequences of storage configuration change.
• Understanding of the importance of rack safety.
• Understand the importance of the quality, types and condition of pallets that can be used in racking systems.
• Ensure that adequate information regarding loading and load configuration is provided.
• Identify unsafe condition and positioning of loads on pallets.
• Identify unsafe operational practices
• Understand the role of the inspector and how to conduct an inspection
• Identify and classify rack damage according to the traffic light system
• Understand the importance of reporting and recording damage accurately 
• Effectively communicate findings and recommendations with the customer

Duration : 5 days includes theoretical and practical components 

• 4 days classroom and written examination
• 1 day practical inspection
• Detailed written inspection report

Rack safety guidelines and industry best practice recommend the implementation of a 3-level inspection hierarchy. Level 1- Operator damage reporting(covered in Warehouse Operator/ Forklift Driver Rack Safety Awareness Training). Level 2- regular inspection by trained internal personnel(weekly/monthly). Level 3- Annual or semi-annual inspection by trained third party, expert inspector. The Internal Rack Inspector Training provides the knowledge and tools to company personnel, to allow them to conduct these level 2 inspections.

Company personnel who have been identified as rack safety personnel who will be required to inspect, assess and report rack damage

AIM

The course aims to provide information and tools to enable company personnel to safely manage storage racking systems and goods stored. By adopting best of practice, in accordance with industry guidelines and health and safety legislation, these tools and information minimize the potential risk of injury to personnel, damage to goods and interruption to business.

Course Objectives

• Understand the need for and how to carry out a risk assessment
• Industry Health & Safety requirements
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of rack safety.
• Understand the importance of reporting damage.
• Demonstrate a reasonable understanding of the correct use of Pallet Racking.
• Understand the importance of providing information regarding loading and load configuration- Load Notices and Configuration Drawings
• Understand the importance of and how to maintain the storage system in a safe condition.
• Understand the basic design concept and the importance of the individual components.
• Understand the safe operation and use of racking systems  and their limitations 
• Identify and classify rack damage according to the traffic light system
• Carry out detailed rack inspections, record damage and recommend corrective action 
• Understand the importance of the quality, types and condition of pallets that can be used in racking systems.
• Identify and understand the results/consequences of storage concept change.

Duration : 6-7 hours includes theoretical and practical components

Most installers learn ”on-the-job”, many without the benefit of working with co-workers or supervisors who have been properly trained as rack installers. Well-designed racking systems can be compromised if they are not installed according to manufacturer and industry standards. Installers may also endanger themselves and others by not following site safety best practices while installing racking. Through lack of knowledge and experience, systems can be installed, relocated or repaired in such a way that make them unsafe. Anyone installing or repairing racking should be properly trained before attempting to work with racking

Any person involved in the installation, relocation, repairing or performing of similar works with rack storage systems

AIM

To enable individuals with a practical background and a reasonable level of personal fitness, to gain skills and knowledge in the safe, construction and maintenance of adjustable pallet racking systems up to 20ft in height

Course Objectives

• Understand the Safe Way to Work
• Understand their individual responsibilities while on the job site
• Understand the range of personal protective equipment used and why they are necessary
• Understand Site Safety and Permits to work
• Understand safety precautions and actions required for constructing a racking system including manual lifting and handling
• Understand Method Statements and Risk Assessments
• Understand the assembly procedure for the installation of beams, frames and accessories
• Requirements of applicable standards and guidelines
• Rack repairs or replacement- when and how 
• Discussions on working with systems that are above 20ft
• The main requirements of the post installation inspection routine

Duration : 2 days includes theoretical and practical components

Rack Safety does not begin on the warehouse floor. Safe Racking systems must be 

1. Designed for the type and specifications of product being stored,
2. Suitable for the required stock rotation 
3. Compatible with the material handling equipment being used
4. Properly used
5. Monitored on a regular basis

1. Anyone who recommends, uses, purchases or monitors racking systems 
2. Anyone is responsible for equipment or personnel who operate around racking systems

AIM

To provide information and tools to allow persons in a position of responsibility to safely recommend, purchase, use and manage storage racking systems and goods stored. These tools and information aim to help minimize the potential risk of injury to personnel, damage to goods and interruption to business.

Course Outline

• Legal responsibilities of 
• Industry Guidelines and Codes of Practice
• Considerations for Rack Safety 
• Getting it Right the first time 
• Why it is important to buy from certified manufacturers and experienced, trustworthy suppliers
• Why it’s important to use experienced, trained installers
• Why installation must be done according to manufacturer specifications 
• The importance of Load Application and Rack Configuration Drawings and Load Notices/Plaques
• The Importance of training warehouse operatives in the proper use of racking
• The Importance of weekly or monthly inspections. Annual or semi-annual inspections
• Repairs- replacement vs repairs
• The importance of the quality, types and condition of pallets that can be used in racking systems.
• The consequences and costs of unsafe choices.

Duration : 6-7 hours includes theoretical and practical components

Rack Safety does not begin on the warehouse floor. Safe Racking systems must be 

1. Designed for the type and specifications of product being stored,
2. Suitable for the required stock rotation 
3. Compatible with the material handling equipment being used
4. Properly used
5. Monitored on a regular basis

1. Anyone who recommends, uses, purchases or monitors racking systems 
2. Anyone is responsible for equipment or personnel who operate around racking systems

AIM

To give participants a general overview of rack safety

Seminar Outline

• Industry Guidelines, Codes of Practice and why it is important to buy from certified manufacturers
• General Considerations for Rack Safety
• Design- considerations for racking and layout – Pallet Racking is NOT a giant “Mechano “set.
• Installation – installation according to manufacturer specifications & Load Application and Rack Configuration Drawings
• Training – Importance of training warehouse operatives in the proper use of racking
• Inspection – Importance of weekly or monthly inspections. Annual or semi-annual inspections
• Maintenance – importance of load notices, difference between manufacturers. Why mixing of components is not advisable and compatibility of different manufacturers components need to be verified
• Repairs- replacement vs repairs

Duration : 2 hours –