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With the presence of vehicles—most notably forklifts—being common equipment in any warehouse, you need to know how to protect the end of aisles from forklift damage. Collisions with the columns of racks present an immediate danger to workers in the vicinity of the crash and run the risk of destroying inventory.
Properly protecting these racks can mitigate the threat of injury to employees as well as potentially eliminating the risk of inventory loss.
A Vulnerable Point
Hitting any part of a rack is dangerous and can potentially lead to a complete collapse, but one of the most common points of failure is the end of an aisle. This is where forklifts need to turn out of a corridor, and the act of turning brings a number of risks.
Whether it is turning too wide or coming up short, a driver can mistakenly collide with the end of an aisle on their left or right. Being aware of this vulnerable spot is critical to knowing how to prevent possible damage to it.
What Can Be Done To Prevent Damage?
Increase Protection Around Support Columns
There are a number of pallet rack accessories that will aid in mitigating the damage done during a collision. While accessories, such as rack protectors, may not necessarily prevent forklift operators from hitting support columns, they will absorb the damage when a collision does occur. This is a good safety net to prevent further damage and potential collapse of a rack system.
Increase Visibility of the Area
Many accidents occur due to a lack of visibility. When it comes to operating a forklift, increasing visibility can take several different forms. One way is to install more or better lighting in a problematic area. If the driver cannot clearly see obstacles in front of them, then they are more likely to hit them. Another avenue to take is to place mirrors around tight corners. The more the driver is able to see before turning a corner, the better they are at maneuvering around it.
Increase Clearance Space
Sometimes it may be necessary to rethink the layout of your rack system. You may need to widen the area if forklift drivers are consistently having trouble making turns. Look at how much floor space is available in your warehouse and determine home much extra clearance you can give drivers. Even just a few inches may be enough to solve the problem.
Act Before a Disaster
Observe how drivers are handling the navigation of the warehouse. Note if they are having trouble safely operating their vehicle because that may be a sign of inevitable problems. Protect the end of aisles from forklift damage before a serious injury occurs; acting sooner can save money and lives.
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