Upright pallet rack column protectors is a costly investment in your warehouse, and protecting that investment should be high on your priority list. While there are several ways to protect your racking including reinforcing uprights, using end of row rack protectors and increasing forklift training, the most low-cost and simple solution is to use column protection.
What is standard racking height?
Also known as post protectors, they are a great way to minimize damage where forklifts may hit the base of an upright frame. This is important because even a single hit on the base of an upright can weaken it and cause the frame to collapse.
Column protectors are available in many different heights to accommodate a variety of applications. They protect against dents from forklift contact and can even defend against a collapse of the entire column.
There are two main types of column protectors: a wrap-around cushion and a steel cage style. A wrap-around cushion is typically made from polymer and is designed to flex on impact to deflect the force of a forklift impact. The flexing allows the cushion to then return to its original shape. These guards are typically safety yellow or orange and are designed to be visible to forklift operators.
A steel cage type column protector is a metal encasement that provides more resistance to an impact. These protectors are typically anchored to the floor and can be bolted onto the base of an upright or to a concrete column within the building. They can be used in areas with moderate to heavy vehicle traffic moving at lower to moderate speeds and are often installed on columns that serve as a structural support for a mezzanine or elevated work area or that are integral to the facility’s overall integrity.
