Palian Cape Editorial No 3 (Health & Safety)

Palian Cape Editorial No 3 (Health & Safety)

As South Africa’s economy grows at exciting levels, so does the pressure on Materials Handling and Distribution. This often this leads to Warehouses being overloaded with storing, picking and distributing of products with limited spare time to inspect or maintain the products stored & handling of these items.

When we compare the hundreds of tons being stored and moved each day in most major warehouses, to the amount of people working beneath, it suddenly becomes a harsh reality that several lives are at stake daily.

Most newly produced Pallet Racking Systems have lifetime expectancy, but this is only valid in the ideal situation where day to day damage does not occur. The fact remains that the slightest dent to any of the major components, actually renders, that particular section, unable to carry any load and will be in danger of collapse. Racking systems are designed to carry uniformly distributed loads and unfortunately does not withstand a side impact from handling equipment.

It is due to this fact that PALIAN (PTY) LTD not only offers a variety of inspection, maintenance and certification options, but furthermore offers increased safety margins on all their products.

Palian’s standard product guarantee of one year can now be extended to 5, 10 or 15 years, subject to a maintenance contract. This maintenance contract will ensure all installations are inspected monthly for wear and tear, with a report submitted on the overall condition of the structure. All recommended crucial repairs have to be made, in order for the guarantee to remain in place, essential spares will be stored on site to ensure fixed costs per pallet and a safe working environment.

In addition, Palian’s patented Racklock™ pallet racking system has proven reduced levels of deflections on beams ensuring higher safety factors.

Beams are subjected to massive loads that increase exponentially if a pallet is slightly “dropped’ onto them or even pushed on to them, by the operator not releasing hydraulic forces of the handling equipment. These added safety factors often mean the difference between a collapse or storage of the pallet and its support structure. It is therefore crucial for warehouse staff to ensure their purchased products have similar or adequate safety factors as the guaranteed load quoted and purchased, will most definitely be exceeded in most cases.

In addition to the forces imposed on beams, floor space is becoming more and more expensive, therefore increasing the overall height of storage structures.

Whilst each beam level supports the particular load on that level, the overall load is supported by the End Frames or Uprights. Once again, PALIAN (PTY) LTD offers a variety of End frames ranging from Light duty, Standard duty, Medium duty to Heavy and Extra Heavy Duty End Frames. These frames are unique in that they are roll formed with either 9 or 11 bends or folds in them, ensuring higher strength and safety factors. Capacities range from 6 tons, 8 tons, 12 tons to 16 and 20 ton End Frames.

All products can be viewed at 21 Bell Crescent, Westlake Business Park, Tokai.