How much difference can a fully enclosed pallet rack upright make? When it comes to the kind of significant injuries, product damage, and overall safety of a warehouse or commercial facility, the minor cost differences are insignificant compared to the potential savings if you prevent just one accident over the next decade. Imagine suffering an accident like this one, or this one, and it being preventable.

This is 750 pounds dropped on both a conventional open-back and fully tubular pallet rack frame. Compared to the impact of even a slow-moving lift truck, that’s not an extreme amount of weight. While no rack can be guaranteed to prevent a collapse in the event of an impact, fully enclosed racks are simply more resistant. Always train your drivers to avoid collisions, always utilize post protectors, frame guards, guard rails and other safety equipment.

But don’t forget the fundamental thing: the quality of the upright itself.

Tags: Pallet Rack, racking, warehouse rack

Scott Stone is Cisco-Eagle's Advertising and E-business Manager. He is a 20-year veteran of the material handling industry. He publishes the award-winning Material Handling Tips & Information Newsletter and works on all aspects of the company's communications efforts. See Cisco-Eagle on Twitter