| Pallet racking corner protectors, for those who | | | | then anchored to cement flooring. These make |
| need them, are an invaluable asset which helps | | | | racks more stable and add to weight-bearing |
| reduce damage to both pallet racking columns and | | | | capacity. |
| uprights. They're used at each run's end in order | | | | However, a footplate may also need to be |
| to provide rack protection at the pallet racking | | | | supplemented with column guards that extend |
| frame's base. This means that if you regularly use | | | | vertically, six inches to a foot or more, from the |
| pallet racks and racking systems, you'll need the | | | | floor upward. Damage at the base can weaken |
| occasional pallet racking protector. Let's examine | | | | the entire frame. Most damage occurs within 48 |
| more about these and how to shop for them. | | | | inches of the floor. Column guards, also called post |
| Pallet racks, so essential to manufacturing, shipping | | | | guards, are of particular importance at |
| and warehousing can be like stacks of dominoes, | | | | intersections, end rows, and wherever forklift |
| poised to collapse when jostled by workers or | | | | maneuvering is difficult. Forklift damage accounts |
| inadvertently slammed by forklifts. Sharp edges | | | | for 90 percent of rack failure. A combination of |
| and corners present additional safety issues. A | | | | footplates, rails attached to the floor, and |
| variety of pallet racing corner protectors and | | | | end-of-aisle rack rails can significantly reduce the |
| guard rails increase stability and provide safety, | | | | possibility of damage. |
| much as an automobile's bumper protects its | | | | So where do you buy these protectors? Most of |
| most vulnerable points. | | | | the bigger stores which specialize in home |
| Corner protectors made of industrial strength | | | | improvement products will sell them as will |
| rubber, colored for high visibility, "cushion" impact | | | | warehouse stores that focus on business supplies. |
| to a degree. In fact, there is even pallet rack | | | | And of course, you can also do a Google or |
| shock absorbing protectors. Think of a | | | | Yahoo search on pallet racking corner protectors, |
| "childproofed" glass coffee table with rubber on | | | | or go directly to the websites of the |
| sharp corners and exposed edges that softens | | | | aforementioned home improvement or |
| any blow. | | | | warehouse stores and search their home pages |
| Racking systems, however, are heavier and more | | | | for the protectors. |
| complex than household furniture. The upright | | | | Rack damage and failure not only present serious |
| columns at the ends of rows, along with the | | | | safety issues, but lead to increased expense for |
| "feet" of those columns that touch the floor, are | | | | labor, down time, and equipment for unloading, |
| most likely to be damaged by blows from people | | | | disassembling, repair, reassembling and reloading. |
| or equipment. Footplates, usually heavy steel | | | | Inspections of racking for damage as well as |
| enameled in safety orange or yellow, or similarly | | | | potential safety hazards should be part of a daily |
| colored polyethylene or other durable materials, | | | | routine. |
| can be attached to the base of each column and | | | | |