Cantilever racking is a freestanding racking system that is often used to store large, long, and bulky items that are difficult to store in other types of racking and shelving systems. Products such as piping, tubing, lumber, and furniture can be stored on cantilever racking. By keeping unpalletized items off the floor, cantilever racking systems help create more floor space and help maximize the storage capacity of your warehouse.
Cantilever racking has four main parts; the base, uprights, bracing, and arms. The base provides support for the entire structure and counterbalances the weight of stored items. The upright columns provide vertical support and connect to the perpendicular arms. And the bracing connects the uprights to give the racking increased stability.
Keeping your warehouse safe is one of the most important parts of running a successful warehouse. Following proper OSHA protocols and implementing safety checklists is a great way to improve safety at your warehouse. If you use cantilever racking, there are additional safety measures that you need to follow. Due to the heavy and bulky nature of items that are stored on a cantilever rack, putting safety measures in place for employees working with and around cantilever racking is crucial.
Here are the top 4 tips to follow for safer cantilever racking:
1. Ensure Proper Design & Installation
To ensure long-term safety and stability, it’s crucial that the racking is designed and installed properly in the first place. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has certain specifications and guidelines that should be followed when designing cantilever racking. To learn more about cantilever installation, read our informative guide.
Several factors such as installation location, anchoring, load type and capacity, and equipment should be considered in the design process.
The final load capacity of your cantilever rack will be determined by several factors such as the uprights and number of arms. Make sure that the cantilever is built to handle the weight, shape, and size of the load it’s going to carry.
If you will be using the cantilever rack outdoors, the outdoor elements should be taken into account. To shelter the racking against the elements, roofs and windbreaks can be used. Please note that anchoring the cantilever rack is crucial to its stability both indoors and outdoors.
If you need help designing or installing your cantilever rack, contact us to talk to one of our warehouse design engineers.
2. Follow Proper Forklift Safety Protocols
Because most items stored on cantilever racking are heavy, they may require the use of a forklift to load and unload. Special safety precautions should be taken when operating and working around forklifts. When designing the layout of your warehouse, make sure to account for the space needed to safely operate forklifts. Making sure that there is enough room around the aisles to operate equipment such as forklifts will reduce the risk of accidents. Anyone operating a forklift should also be required to complete mandatory training.
There are also several pieces of warehouse equipment that can be used to ensure worker safety working around forklifts. Safety equipment such as guard rails and bollards can be used to separate pedestrian walkways and protect structures from getting hit.
3. Perform Routine Inspections
Inspecting your cantilever and performing regular maintenance is a great way to prevent accidents and ensure its longevity. At a minimum, cantilever racking should be inspected annually; and more often if it’s installed in a high-traffic area. Regular inspection and maintenance are easy to neglect in a busy warehouse environment. To ensure that they are performed, schedule inspection dates and create a checklist system for recording and reporting problems.
During regular use, cantilever rack is subject to wear and tear. Racking that is structurally compromised can easily lead to accidents. A thorough inspection should include examining the anchors, base, uprights, arms, bracing, and all of the connections and accessories. If any of these parts are damaged, the racking should be unloaded and should not be used until the repairs can be done.
4. Stabilize the Load
Cantilever rack is often used to store long and oversized products such as piping and tubing. Sometimes these items can begin to sag under their own weight and may need additional support while in storage and during the material handling process. Support can be added to cantilever rack in the form of beams and there are certain attachments that can be installed onto material handling equipment such as forklifts to support the sag during transportation. It is important to address this issue to prevent breakage and safety problems.
How to Get Started with Cantilever Racking?
Cantilever racking is a great way to maximize your storage density and accommodate products that are bulky and oddly shaped. If you are on the market for cantilever racking, you can either configure your system requirements and purchase each part individually, or start with a kit. American Storage and Logistics has been a leader in new and refurbished warehouse equipment for over 50 years. View our entire collection online; including cantilever starter and adder bays in different sizes and with various load capacities. Our online inventory is ready for shipping or next business day local delivery. You can also contact us to speak with a sales representative.
