Storage racks are a common fixture in many industrial workplaces, from warehouses to manufacturing facilities to retail to automotive repair shops. Common though they may be, these facilities can pose significant hazards if not installed, used, and maintained properly. Although OSHA does not have a specific standard addressing storage racks, the Agency expects employers to provide safe racking and has cited employers under the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act when racking posed serious hazards to workers.

Action steps

• Ensure all racks meet appropriate industry standards (e.g., ANSI/RMI MH 16.1).
• Install, use, and maintain racks per the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Check that load ratings are present.
• Ensure racks are anchored properly.
• Train workers on racking safety, including capacities and storage techniques.
• Install racks in accordance with local fire and building codes.
• Install bumper guards to prevent rack damage.
• Ensure repairs are made by qualified personnel.
• Replace damaged racks immediately or remove them from service.

Training action plan

• Explain the types of racking in your facility.
• Demonstrate proper stacking technique, including height restrictions.
• Ensure only trained material handling personnel place items on racking with powered equipment.
• Remind workers not to climb on racking (in rare cases where this may be needed, ensure the use of proper fall protection).
• Train workers how to read racking capacity plates.
• Instruct workers on how to report damaged racking.

Tips

• Assign responsibility for inspecting racks.
• Ensure racking repairs are made properly according to manufacturer’s instructions, and by qualified personnel, particularly where welding is performed.
• Maintain at least 18 inches clearance from sprinklers. (Local fire codes may have additional requirements for sprinklers and racking.)
• Conduct thorough root-cause analysis for racking damage.

Checklist

Review these storage rack checklists.

Design

• Have industrial steel storage racks been designed in accordance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Rack Manufacturers Institute, Inc. (RMI) standard MH 16.1 specifications?
• Are modifications or rearrangements not within the original design not present? ANSI/RMI
• Are load application and rack configuration drawings available for each rack installation? ANSI/RMI

Installation

• Are racks installed on flooring (i.e., concrete) that will support the associated loads?
• ANSI/RMIIs flooring in good repair under and around racks?
• Are shims made of materials that meet or exceed the design bearing strength or allowable bearing strength of the floor? ANSI/RMI
• Is shim size and location under the base plates equal to or greater than the required base plate size and location? ANSI/RMI
• Does the total thickness of shims not exceed six times the diameter of the largest anchor bolt used in that base? ANSI/RMI
• Are shims interlocked or welded together if the total thickness is less than or equal to six times the anchor bolt diameter under bases with less than two anchor bolts? ANSI/RMI

Placarding

• Do storage racks display a permanent plaque that indicates load capacity? ANSI/RMI & General Duty Clause
• Is the plaque conspicuously located? ANSI/RMI
• Is the plaque at least 50 square inches? ANSI/RMI
• Does the plaque show clear, legible print? ANSI/RMI
• Does the plaque display the maximum permissible unit load and/or maximum uniformly distributed load per level? ANSI/RMI
• Does the plaque display the average unit load? ANSI/RMI
• Does the plaque display the maximum total load per bay? ANSI/RMI
• Are storage levels having multiple stacking of unit loads identified? ANSI/RMI

Anchoring

• Are rack columns anchored to the floor? ANSI/RMI & General Duty Clause
• Are an appropriate number of anchors, as recommended by the rack manufacturer, used? ANSI/RMI
• Are the anchors used the correct size as recommended by the rack manufacturer? ANSI/RMI
• Are an appropriate number of anchor bolts, as recommended by the rack manufacturer, used? ANSI/RMI
• Are the anchor bolts used the correct size as recommended by the rack manufacturer? ANSI/RMI
• Is decking fastened to the beams to prevent deck dropping? ANSI/RMI

Condition

• Are racks inspected and maintained per the manufacturer’s guidelines?
• Are racks plumb from top to bottom? ANSI/RMI
• Are rack columns straight? ANSI/RMI
• Are rack columns in good repair? ANSI/RMI
• Has frame bracing been installed as recommended by the manufacturer? ANSI/RMI
• Is frame bracing in good repair? ANSI/RMI
• Are anchors in good repair? ANSI/RMI
• Are column base plates in good repair? ANSI/RMI
• Are deflectors, fenders, and bumpers protecting the column as necessary? ANSI/RMI
• Is decking in good repair? ANSI/RMI
• Are other rack components (e.g., deflector angles, backer posts, etc.) in good repair? ANSI/RMI

Loads

• Is the weight of materials stored on storage racks below the load capacity rating? ANSI/RMI
• Are the heaviest products stored on the floor or lower levels and toward the middle of the rack system? ANSI/RMI
• Are pallets in good repair? ANSI/RMI
• Are pallets placed onto pallet load support members in a properly stacked and stable position? ANSI/RMI
• Are boxes, pallets, bags, containers, and other materials stacked/piled neatly? ANSI/RMI & 1910.176(b)
• Are stacks secure against sliding or collapse? 1910.176(b)
• Are stacks limited in height? 1910.176(b)

Fire protection and prevention

• Are racks, and materials stored on them, in accordance with local fire codes?
• Are materials on racks stored no closer than 18 inches away from sprinklers? 1910.159(c)(10)

Recordkeeping

• Has one copy of load application and rack configuration drawings of storage racks used been retained? ANSI/RMI
• Has one copy of load application and rack configuration drawings of storage racks used been retained by the dealer or manufacturer? ANSI/RMI