Cantilever Racking Safe Usage

Cantilever racking is one of the most important aspects in a storage system, especially when heavy materials are to be placed in a safe and confined area. However, installation can be costly and so proper maintenance should be considered for long-time use. Taking necessary precautions is needed to promote long-term stability of the materials; this is also to avoid users getting into harm’s way.

Here are the 5 most important steps to take to ensure safe use of cantilever racks. 

1.       Careful placing of the materials. Heavy materials have to be carefully handled and stored. Just like parking a vehicle, make sure that there will be no damage done to the cantilever rack and to the materials. Most of the time, a forklift is used to place the materials into the racks. Make sure that the forklift operator is well-trained to place the load as carefully as possible.

2.       All personnel involved in the storage should be well-informed on the safety precaution of storing heavy materials. There should be an allotted proximity where the personnel remain safe in case they get hit by a heavy load. This should be applied when loading and unloading heavy materials.

3.       Check for proper installation. The installed cantilever racks must be placed on even concrete. This will ensure that the racks will not sway when heavy materials are stored. Some companies use metal shims in case further adjustment of columns and bases are needed.

4.       Never crawl under the cantilever rack and never climb on top of it. In case a material has to be unloaded, it has to be done with a forklift or other equipment’s. The cantilever racking can also be customized so that people will not have to climb or crawl around the cantilever rack. Catwalk systems usually are installed, or metal ladders are considered for this purpose.

5.       By default, the heavy materials are put at the lowest levels, and the light ones are on the top. Make sure that all personnel know the weight of every material placed into the racks. If using tandem racks, it is essential to distribute the weight evenly on each side.

Cantilever racking is truly essential in storing heavy materials. However, for safety reasons, it has to be used the proper way.