Safety in the warehouse as a competitive parameter
As warehouse and logistics environments become more complex and dynamic, higher demands are placed on safety, documentation, and compliance throughout the warehouse. Shelving and racking systems are vital to most warehouse operations, and a lack of maintenance, errors, or non-compliance with applicable standards can therefore have major consequences for both operations and the working environment. For this reason, racking inspections must not only be seen as a legal requirement but as a value-adding parameter supporting both warehouse efficiency and safety.
By Michael Hjertebjerg, Managing Director of BITO Storage Systems Nordic.
The backbone of professional shelving safety
Professional racking safety is based on clear European standards that ensure racking systems are correctly designed, assembled, and maintained throughout their lifetime. The most important are:
- EN 15635 - the European standard for fixed steel shelving systems describing requirements for their use, maintenance, and regular inspections.
- EN 15512 - deals with structural principles for dimensioning and static calculation for steel pallet racking to ensure that it is designed for correct loading and stability.
When racking systems comply with these standards, it enhances safety, documentation, and operational reliability.
Standards and legislation go hand in hand
It is not enough to choose a standardized shelving system. Its use and, not least, its maintenance must also comply with the standards in practice. The Danish Working Environment Authority's regulations on technical aids stipulate that shelving units must:
- be securely assembled and marked with accurate load information
- be equipped with appropriate impact barriers to withstand collision
- be inspected by an expert both when they are put into use and at least once a year afterwards
Standards such as EN 15635 help to operationalize these legal requirements by providing specific guidelines on how and how often racking inspections and reporting must be carried out.
Standards as business value
Many companies see racking inspections as a necessity, but they should also see them as a strategic opportunity:
- Lower risks and costs
By complying with standards such as EN 15635, companies can prevent serious damage that can lead to downtime, loss of goods, or personal injury.
- Warehouse optimization and service life
Racking units designed in accordance with EN 15512 ensure that the system lasts longer and supports efficient warehouse utilization.
- Credibility and documentation
Compliance with standards facilitates better documentation for audits, insurance matters, and supplier agreements, thereby supporting a safe and professional working environment.
Foundation for safety and growth
Racking inspection is therefore not just a technical requirement but a comprehensive task that ties together design, operation, maintenance, and compliance. By actively integrating the relevant standards into your warehouse strategy, your company can create a warehouse that is:
- safe for your employees
- efficient in operation
- documented to the authorities
- robust, durable, and therefore sustainable in the long term
Standards are therefore not just rules but a real opportunity to elevate safety to a strategic competitive parameter.
Safe and sound
If you need support or advice in connection with an existing warehouse or the establishment of a new one, you should reach out to a partner with extensive knowledge and expertise in warehouse safety. Here you can get important guidance on, for example, floor installation, fire safety, escape routes, or other considerations you should make to ensure a safe outcome.