Why Compliance is More Than Just an Inspection Pallet racking safety is critical to warehouse operations, yet many businesses believe that a routine visual inspection is enough to keep them compliant with Australian Standards. The reality? Inspections are just one piece of the puzzle. Compliance is not just about ticking a box—it’s about proactively managing risk, tracking repairs, and maintaining a high standard of safety throughout the year. The Key Differences Between Inspections and Compliance 1. Inspections: The Snapshot Approach Warehouse racking inspections are designed to assess the current physical condition of your storage system. They identify visible damage, misalignment, structural and safety issues. 🔸 Professional Annual Inspections: A trained expert evaluates your racking against industry standards (such as AS4084:2023) and flags any concerns. This includes your signage, engineering, elevations, MHE, environment and procedures. 🔸 Internal Inspections: Regular checks by warehouse staff or third party inspectors help catch physical issues before they become serious problems. 🔸 Issue Identification: An inspection

You’d be surprised how many businesses think pallet racking is just about “stacking stuff efficiently.” I see it all the time—racking installed without a second thought, businesses assuming they’re safe just because they did an inspection once, and suppliers who are only in it for the sale, NO Education. The reality? Most warehouses are one bad decision away from a serious accident. And the worst part? They don’t even know it. Where Most Businesses Go Wrong Here’s the thing—racking compliance isn’t just about damage checks. Yeah, dents and missing clips are bad, but there’s a whole list of things that make a system unsafe long before something physically breaks: Wrong beam or upright capacities Poor load distribution Racks that aren’t even bolted down (yes, I’ve seen it!) Incompatible pallet types Narrow aisles that are a forklift disaster waiting to happen The #1 mistake? Businesses DIY-ing their warehouse setup without considering all the variables. Just because it “fits” doesn’t mean it

Compliance isn’t just inspections—it’s total racking safety. RAMS IRDS tracks, verifies, and ensures full AS4084 compliance. No gaps, no guesswork.

Recently, I came across an article by Scott Giles about educating users on pallet racking, and I couldn’t agree more with his message. It inspired me to share my experiences in this space, including some concerning real-world incidents that emphasize why safety and compliance are non-negotiable. One of the things we encounter far too often is racking systems that have been purchased second-hand or installed without proper guidance. Almost Weekly, we respond to clients who have mixed different racking brands and attempt to install it themselves without knowing that there are design requirements and Australian Standards. Their supplier hasn’t informed them about compatibility or compliance requirements. Thankfully, we catch it before it becomes a serious problem, most of the time, but the risks are significant. This is why educating clients and ensuring proper safety measures is at the core of what we do at SSO Handling & Storage. It isn’t just about providing a product—it’s about ensuring the solution is

Are you sure your racking systems are up to code? In the fast-paced world of warehousing and logistics, racking systems are the silent workhorses that keep operations moving smoothly. They bear the weight of your inventory, support efficient workflows, and play a vital role in maintaining safety standards. Are you giving these essential structures the attention they deserve? If your racking systems aren’t regularly inspected and maintained, you might be sitting on a ticking time bomb — both for your safety record and your bottom line. Why Regular Racking Inspections Are Essential In Australia, compliance with racking standards isn’t just a best practice; it’s a WHS requirement. According to the Australian Standard AS4084.2:2023, regular inspections are mandatory to ensure the safe use and maintenance of steel storage racking. But beyond ticking off compliance boxes, here’s why you should take racking inspections seriously: 1. Compliance: It’s the Minimum Standard, Not an Option Under AS4084, all businesses using racking systems must conduct

In the ever-evolving landscape of warehouse management, staying ahead of compliance regulations is crucial. With the introduction of the updated Australian Standards for racking design (AS4084.1:2023) and operation (AS4084.2:2023), operators need to understand and adapt to these changes. These standards set the benchmark for the safe design, operation, and examination of racking systems in Australia. Key Changes in AS4084:2023 for end users The revised standards, which came into effect in 2023, introduce critical updates and requirements: Engineering and Manufacturing: The new standards are more prescriptive about engineering requirements, including ductility, structural performance, and deflection limits, ensuring all racking meets stringent safety parameters. Seismic Considerations: An updated seismic mass coefficient improves the calculation of seismic loads, particularly in earthquake-prone areas. Selective Pallet Racking Specifics: The standards focus on selective steel pallet racking, with specific exclusions for drive-in, cantilever, mobile, and shelving systems. This specificity helps in clarifying the requirements for various racking configurations. Compliance Requirements for Existing and New Racking Pre-2023

📌 G’day Everyone! A quick update on the newly released Australian Standards for warehouse operations and how they shape your inspection procedures. 📖👷 The Standards categorise audits into Informal inspections (Routine), Formal inspections (Expert), and post-incident inspections. Each has its unique role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of your operations. 📋🔍 1️ – Informal inspections: These are your daily, weekly, or monthly checks depending on operational factors. Informal inspections should be conducted at a frequency based on the following: the results of a risk assessment (e.g. daily or weekly); or at intervals recommended by a competent person. All visible components of the racking systems are checked, and loads are confirmed suitable for the racking design. The best part? Your warehouse staff can do these, given the proper training. 2️ – Formal inspections: Now, these are comprehensive! A competent person shall conduct formal inspections at intervals not exceeding 12 months. The actual frequency of formal inspections, if less than 12