Do storage racks need to be anchored or bolted to the floor or wall?

There is not a specific requirement from OSHA regarding anchoring storage racks. However, OSHA has used the General Duty Clause to hold employers responsible for storage rack safety. In fact, the following is an excerpt from a November 13, 2006 General Duty Clause citation:

“employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to ... crushing hazards from not anchoring the storage rack systems. The storage racks are used to store various gauge metal sheets, parts and products. The storage racks systems range in height from 4 to 6 tiers. In addition, load capacity rating plaques were not in place to state the storage capacity of the systems. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to anchor the storage racks systems and install load capacity plaques in accordance with ANSI MH 16.1, “Specification for the Design, Testing, and Utilization of Industrial Steel Storage Racks.”” [emphasis added]