How often do i need to get my pallet racking inspected?

How Often Should Pallet Racking Be Inspected?

Warehouse safety starts with strong systems—and that includes ensuring your pallet racking is regularly inspected. Damaged or improperly loaded racking systems can lead to serious accidents, costly downtime, and compliance violations. So, how often should you inspect your pallet racking?

Here’s a simple breakdown to keep your operations safe and compliant.

1. Daily or Weekly: Quick Visual Checks

Your team should perform brief inspections during daily or weekly walkthroughs. Look for:

• Bent or damaged beams and uprights

• Missing safety pins or clips

• Leaning or misaligned racks

• Obvious signs of forklift impact

These quick checks help catch problems early before they become serious.

2. Monthly: In-House Safety Reviews

Every month, a trained warehouse employee should carry out a more thorough inspection. This includes checking for:

• Frame and beam integrity

• Overloaded or unevenly loaded racks

• Missing components

• Floor anchors and rack stability

Document findings and take corrective actions immediately where needed.

3. Annually: Expert Racking Inspection

At least once a year, bring in a qualified third-party inspector or rack safety professional. These experts conduct a full structural evaluation and provide a documented report that highlights:

• Structural damage or wear

• Compliance issues

• Risk levels (often categorized by severity)

• Recommended corrective actions

This annual inspection is not only best practice—it’s required under many safety regulations and manufacturer guidelines.

Special Situations: Inspect Immediately If…

• A forklift hits the racking

• You reconfigure or relocate the system

• There’s a seismic event in your area

Bottom Line

Safe racking means safe workers. Create a regular inspection schedule:

• Daily/Weekly: Quick visual checks

• Monthly: In-house inspections

• Annually: Full expert inspection

Stay proactive, document everything, and act on issues immediately. A little attention now can prevent big problems later.

Need a pallet racking inspection checklist or compliance log template? Reach out—we’re here to help keep your warehouse safe and efficient.