How often should racking be inspected?

Often enough to catch damage before it grows. Many sites have a quick check by operators, a regular walk by a safety lead and a deeper review by a qualified person. Set the intervals per the current standard, the rack maker's guidance and your own procedure.

What should I do about a damaged upright?

Report it right away. Don't load it or work under it. Keep trucks away and unload the bay per your procedure. Don't try to straighten or patch it. Have a qualified person decide on repair or replacement.

Where do I find the load capacity?

On the load sign posted at the rack, which comes from the rack maker and the installer. Follow that sign. If a sign is missing or you've changed the beams, stop loading that bay and have it reviewed.

Free template

A warehouse racking inspection checklist you can print today.

Walk each aisle and look at the racking from the floor up. Print the sheet or save it as a PDF.

Also calledPallet racking inspection, Rack safety checklist, Storage rack inspection form, Racking damage report

See the sheet All free tools

Free to print, copy and change. It’s a starting point. Add the lines your equipment and your rules need.

Edit it in the builder

Racking inspection checklist

Date

Warehouse or area

Aisle or rack bay

Inspector name

Last forklift strike reported

Uprights and base

PassFailN/A

Uprights are straight, with no dents, bends or twists
No cracked welds or torn metal
Base plates are flat on the floor and intact
Anchor bolts are in place and tight
Floor around the base is free of cracks

Beams and connectors

PassFailN/A

Beams are level, with no sag or bowing
Beams are seated fully in the uprights
Safety locks and pins are in place
Bracing and row spacers are in place and undamaged

Loads and signs

PassFailN/A

Load capacity signs are posted and readable
Loads are within the posted capacity
Pallets are in good condition and sit squarely on the beams
Loads are stable and don't lean or overhang
Items aren't stored on top where they could fall

Aisles and protection

PassFailN/A

Aisles are clear and wide enough for the trucks, per your layout
Clearance to sprinklers, lights and ceilings is kept
Column and end-of-aisle guards are in place and undamaged
Damage is reported when it happens, not just at inspections

Defects found and action taken

Taken out of service? Yes NoReported to

Inspector signature

Date

Supervisor review

Date

A starting point. Adapt it to your equipment, your procedures and the rules that apply to you.Free template from portalbaseai.com

How to use it

Three habits that make it worth filling out.

Step 1
Look up and down
Check the base first, then work up to the top beam. Damage often shows low, where trucks hit it.
Step 2
Note the bay
Write the aisle and bay of any damage. Add a photo so the next person can find it.
Step 3
Unload damaged bays
If damage looks serious, keep people and trucks out and unload the bay as your procedure says. Have a qualified person look at it before it's used again.

Do this on a phone instead of paper.

Run this check on a phone, with a photo on any failed step, no signal needed. A failed step opens a repair and the record is kept for you.

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Common questions

How often should racking be inspected?: Often enough to catch damage before it grows. Many sites have a quick check by operators, a regular walk by a safety lead and a deeper review by a qualified person. Set the intervals per the current standard, the rack maker's guidance and your own procedure.
What should I do about a damaged upright?: Report it right away. Don't load it or work under it. Keep trucks away and unload the bay per your procedure. Don't try to straighten or patch it. Have a qualified person decide on repair or replacement.
Where do I find the load capacity?: On the load sign posted at the rack, which comes from the rack maker and the installer. Follow that sign. If a sign is missing or you've changed the beams, stop loading that bay and have it reviewed.

Related and more free tools

Free tool

A warehouse racking inspection checklist you can print today.

Racking inspection checklist

Uprights and base

Beams and connectors

Loads and signs

Aisles and protection

Three habits that make it worth filling out.

Look up and down

Note the bay

Unload damaged bays

Do this on a phone instead of paper.

Get new free tools by email.

Common questions

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