Safe Load Limits on Racking
A PCBU has a duty of care to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that racking operations are safe for workers and others.
Storage racking for products on pallets should be designed specifically for the size, shape and weight of the products being stored. The racking design should be compatible with the pallets and the materials handling equipment in use within the workplace. Aisle width should be matched to the turning circle of the forklift or other materials handling equipment used to put-away, replenish or pick.
Storage racking should be designed and installed in accordance with AS 4084-1993. The selection of the final racking design should be made on the basis of safety and operational factors that take into account safe working load criteria.
Regular inspection of racking should be conducted to check its integrity, identify maintenance requirements and to stop racking being overloaded.
Safe load limits should be displayed, such as at the end of the aisles, with the following information:
- Racking manufacturer’s name and trademark,
- Safe working unit load,
- Safe working unit load for each shelf beam level, and
- Safe working total unit load for each bay.
