In a standard warehouse, forklifts constantly move through tight aisles, placing and removing heavy loads, day in and day out. At some point, rack damage is almost inevitable. Still, many operations managers postpone repairs until it’s too late, unaware of how rapidly minor damage can escalate into a serious safety emergency.

Pallet Rack Repair Basics

Pallet rack repair entails returning damaged racking systems to their initial safety specifications and load capacities. Unlike complete replacement, repair is a economical solution that can be completed with reduced disruption to warehouse activities. Engineered rack repair kits integrate with existing racks to restore their safety and original strength while ensuring protection against future damage.

The repair procedure is extraordinarily streamlined, commonly up to four times faster than replacement, and needs 75% less product movement. Most repairs can be completed without completely unloading stored products, which greatly reduces downtime and operational disruption.

Common Types of Pallet Rack Damage

Understanding the different types of damage helps in properly evaluating your warehouse's safety requirements:

Structural Damage: This affects the overall stability and durability of the pallet rack, often resulting from excessive weight, poor installation, or accumulated minor impacts. Structural damage undermines the entire system's stability.

Impact Damage: The most common type, typically caused by forklift accidents. According to industry figures, roughly 90% of rack failures can be linked to equipment impact. This damage usually occurs at the lower portion of the front column of the pallet rack frame.

Non-Visible Damage: Hidden defects like weld fractures, corrosion, or metal fatigue aren't immediately apparent but can seriously compromise rack strength. Regular professional inspections are critical for detecting these issues.

Safety Hazards and Risks of Damaged Rack

OSHA requires safe industrial racking systems in all U.S. warehouses. When racks are compromised, the potential consequences reach beyond legal violations to grave safety dangers.

Compromised racks have diminished capacity and pose meaningful risks of failure and personal injury. In severe cases, weakened racks can result in catastrophic failure, threatening workers, destroying inventory, and potentially causing fatalities. Additionally, employers are statutorily responsible for workplace safety under OSHA regulations, making rack maintenance not just a practical concern but a legal obligation.

Repair Techniques and Best Practices

Modern rack repair techniques have evolved significantly, offering solutions that are both more effective and less invasive than ordinary replacement:

Engineered Repair Kits: Companies like Damotech supply purpose-built kits developed to restore rack integrity. The DAMO PRO and DAMO FLEX are instances of engineered solutions that not only correct damage but shield against subsequent impacts.

On-Site Installation: Most repairs can be carried out on-site without removing entire rack sections. A rack repair jack supports the upright while its damaged portion is cut and the repair kit is fitted. The best repair kits are secured on, eliminating the need for on-site welding authorization.

Professional Assessment: Before any repair, a complete inspection by qualified professionals is essential. The Rack Manufacturers Institute (RMI) guidelines state that compromised rack should be separated and evaluated by a supervising engineer prior to repair.

Choosing a Pallet Rack Repair Company in Spokane

For warehouse supervisors in Spokane, choosing the right rack repair partner is essential. Raymond West excels as a premier provider in the region, delivering certified Damotech-based rack repair services with a team of over 400 technicians across eight Western states. Our complete approach features inspection, tailored repair kit design, and professional setup that decreases operational disturbance. By working with Raymond West, warehouse managers acquire access to the industry's most innovative repair technologies while ensuring compliance with safety standards and safeguarding their valuable inventory and personnel.

Raymond West's Spokane branch services Spokane, Airway Heights, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, Coeur d'Alene, Medical Lake, Cheney, Pullman, Moscow, Moses Lake, Yakima, Wenatchee, Lewiston, Clarkston, Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, Walla Walla and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Spokane Material Handling Equipment Supplier

11002 E Montgomery Dr #100
Spokane, WA 99206
(509) 728-6000