The History of Pallet Racking and Warehouses

From the industrial revolution to the rise of Amazon, warehouses have always been behind the scenes of a much greater historical narrative of business. But where did it all begin? How did we come to live in a world where warehouses and pallet racking are so essential to companies and economies?

The year 15,000 BW (Before Warehouses)

Warehouses, in different forms, have arguably been around as long as humans have had agriculture. Settling down in one spot meant that humans could harvest food rather than hunt for it. All this harvested food needs to be stored and so, in that sense, humans have been using warehouses for 15,000 years. Still, the warehouse as we know it today is a much more recent invention.

The Modern Warehouse, Pallet Racking Systems, and the Industrial Revolution

A planned and efficient warehouse with organised pallet racking systems that categorically stores items en masses has its roots in the industrial revolution. The modern warehouse meant that humans could produce huge surpluses that allowed for jobs beyond farming and making things from raw materials. This surplus has been hugely important in human history. As John Green puts it, if you live somewhere other than a farm, enjoy free education, eat blueberries during the winter, or live anything even resembling a modern lifestyle, then you have the Industrial Revolution to thank. And without warehouses or pallet racking systems, the Industrial Revolution could not have happened.

Warehouses Today and the Importance of SEMA Approved Pallet Racking Inspections

Since the Industrial Revolution, warehouses have gone through many changes. The first is that they became more functional, rather than being the aesthetically pleasing buildings that they once were. This increase in functionality is a sign of how warehouses have multiplied. Now, warehouses have a variety of uses. Some of the oldest once have become part of history, their architecture making them perfect for art installations or museums. More technologically advanced warehouses have helped fuel the rise of online shopping. Amazon, for example, prides itself on a well maintained warehouse and an excellent pallet racking system.

The current challenge for warehouses is not rapid growth, but steady growth. In less economically developed regions, we have seen the disastrous costs of valuing efficiency of business over safety when it comes to warehouse use. This is why SEMA approved pallet racking inspections and racking inspection courses are so important. The warehouse of today, and the warehouse of the future, should aim to be smart and safe in order to be profitable.

Make sure your business has the warehouse of the future! Contact Storage Equipment Experts Ltd today for a pallet racking inspection from a SEMA approved racking inspector.

Pallet racking inspection cannot be performed by just anybody. HSE state that only people who are “technically competent” can perform pallet racking inspections, but there has been confusion in the past about what this means. Before the new CDM regulations came into place, the loose definition of “competence” led to the rise of over 300 different card schemes.

Pallet Racking Inspections and Racking Inspection Training

HSE have identified SEMA Approved Racking Inspectors (SARIs) as “expert inspectors” and recommend a pallet racking inspection from an “expert inspector” at least once every twelve months. HSE also recommends that the regular inspections are performed by a business’ staff. The best way to ensure that your staff are “technically competent” enough to do this is through racking inspection training and racking inspection courses.

Pallet Racking Inspection Checklist

If you are qualified to inspect pallet racking, you then need to consult a racking inspection checklist. The checklist details what parts of the pallet racking system you should be looking at, what counts as safe, and what counts as unsafe. There are many things to consider, but the most common sign of damaged racking is if it is bowed in the middle from too much weight. The level of bending should be measured, taken note of, and marked as safe or unsafe according to the regulations laid out on your racking inspection checklist.

It is important to be accurate as the difference between an acceptable and an unacceptable amount of bending can sometimes be less than a millimetre. However, if something is on the very edges of safe, then that “near miss” should not be ignored either. A pallet racking inspection requires constant diligence and high standards.

Pallet Racking Inspection LogBook

As you go through your checklist, you should mark each piece of racking as either red, amber, or green. HSE recommend using this system to avoid ambiguity: green means safe, amber means repairs are needed as soon as possible, and red means repairs are needed instantly. Ambiguity can cause a company to “suffer from inaction” and, when it comes to racking safety, inaction is toxic.

Contact Storage Equipment Experts Ltd today for racking inspection courses and racking inspections from a a SEMA approved “expert racking inspector”.