Does The Condition Of Pallets Matter When Using Rack Shelving?

In most large supermarkets and logistics centres, stockroom shelving is designed around the pallet, with products stored efficiently and carefully around its square surface area.

It is difficult to find any logistics system that does not rely on pallets as a way to easily transport goods via forklift to and from racking systems, but whilst this is the case, you must not take pallets for granted.

Ubiquity is not an excuse for neglect and the consequence of not taking pallet quality as seriously as every other element of the warehouse can be dire.

Why Are Poor Quality Pallets Used?

Wooden pallets are typically designed to be recycled, and they are often robust enough that they can be used multiple times so long as there are no signs of damage or distress.

Pallet boards are subject to a lot of wear and tear and can split, but at the same time, individual boards can be replaced with a like-for-like replacement.

However, sometimes these important stages of inspection, replacement or repair are neglected, and this can be for a few reasons.

The most common reasons revolve around false economy, where a pallet is expected to be used until it is obviously too broken to be reused any further.

Whilst it is wasteful to throw out new pallets, overusing pallets is not only potentially dangerous but could ultimately become more costly in the long run.

Consequences Of Faulty Pallets

If stringers or planks are fractured, nails are missing or protruding, or support blocks are out of alignment, it can cause a huge number of problems to your existing racking and potentially lead to a serious hazard.

Pallet racking is not only necessary for forklifts to actually carry a load, but they are often important to space out the load on a pallet rack to ensure that the load is appropriately spread across the entire length of the rack.

In the worst-case scenario, a faulty pallet, the least expensive but most critical part of logistics, could fail and cause loads to fall. Given the sheer height many pallet racking systems are stacked, the potential consequences are devastating, especially if the racking is used in a retail environment.

As well as this, some pallet racking systems operate by using a flow system to move loads on racks from one part of the office or stockroom to another, but this is predicated on an even pallet surface.

If there are fractures or loose elements, they can jam the pallet rack, leading to expensive disruptions and the need to schedule a very careful repair procedure.

Ultimately, neglecting pallets is the ultimate example of saving pennies that cost pounds, and a robust inspection system should be in place to check the condition of pallets in the same way that forklifts cannot be operated without a thorough inspection before and after use.

In the end, pallet condition is critical when using pallet racking in order to ensure safe and orderly operation, and in most use cases pallets that are used will be in a sufficient condition to be used without any issue or incident.

For more information on Does The Condition Of Pallets Matter When Using Rack Shelving? talk to UK Shelving Ltd