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Creative Storage

PALLET RACKING DAMAGE & REPAIR CRITERIA

Understand the severity levels of racking damage and the actions required to maintain a safe and compliant warehouse.

GREEN DAMAGE

Minor Damage - Monitor

Minor cosmetic damage (safe to manage):

Light scratches or small dents

Minor paint damage

No structural deformation

Low Risk 

Monitor & Record 

No Immediate Repair Needed*

AMBER DAMAGE

Medium Damage - Action Required

Noticable damage requiring repair:

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Bent or twisted uprights

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Damaged beams

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Missing safety pins

Disclaimer: All Amber Rated Damages Become Red Automatically in just 4 Weeks*

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Medium Risk

 

Repair Prompted​ 

Schedule Repairs Soon*

RED DAMAGE

Severe Damage - Immediate Action Required

Serious Damage - Safety Concern:

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Severely bent or broken components

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Dislodged beams

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Missing anchors

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High Risk 

Unload & Isolate 

Immediate repairs required*

Important Disclaimer

This guidance is provided for information purposes only and does not replace a formal pallet racking inspection carried out by a qualified and competent surveyor.
The damage categories and actions outlined above are intended to help identify visible risks and to make affected areas safe prior to a professional inspection taking place.
All pallet racking systems should be inspected regularly in accordance with industry standards and manufacturer guidance.

What Happens If Damaged Racking is not Repaired or Inspected?

Failing to repair or professionally inspect damaged pallet racking can lead to serious safety, legal, and financial consequences, including:

Failed Audits & Compliance Issues

Damaged or non-compliant racking can result in failed internal audits, third-party safety audits, and SEMA or HSE inspections, potentially requiring immediate corrective action.

 

Enforcement Action & Fines

Regulatory bodies may issue enforcement notices, improvement notices, or fines where unsafe racking is identified, particularly if damage has been left unaddressed or undocumented.

 

Increased Risk of Collapse & Injury

Even minor damage can weaken a racking system over time, increasing the risk of rack failure, product loss, and serious injury to warehouse staff and visitors.

 

Insurance Implications

Insurers may refuse to pay out or reduce claims following an incident if racking inspections have not been carried out or known damage has not been repaired.

 

Operational Disruption

Unsafe racking may need to be unloaded and isolated at short notice, leading to lost storage capacity, downtime, and disruption to warehouse operations.

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