What the Standards Require
The Australian Standards (AS4084-2023) are very specific around pallet racking. They don’t necessarily apply to other systems like cantilever racking or mezzanine floors, as those fall under different considerations. For pallet racking, the standard requires an annual inspection by a competent third party.
That annual pallet racking inspection is the baseline. It’s not the full picture of best practice.
Why Annual Inspections Alone Aren’t Enough
You can be compliant today and have a problem tomorrow.
We had a site where we carried out an inspection in April, completed all repairs and maintenance in May, and then received a call just three months later. The customer said, “Can you come back? We’ve got more damage.” In that case, it came down to one forklift driver with ambitions of an F1 racing career, who managed to cause around $10,000 worth of racking damage in a very short period of time.
The racking had passed inspection after repairs, yet within three months it needed several days of work again.
So if I was being ridiculous, I’d say inspect it every day. You can be fine today and have a problem tomorrow, and if you’re not aware of it, you’ve potentially got eleven months and thirty days of risk sitting there.
Recommended Best Practice: Internal Checks Plus Annual Inspections
That’s why we strongly encourage businesses, particularly larger warehouses, to introduce regular internal checks. This doesn’t need to be complicated.
Just like you check a forklift, or you check your car, you should check your racking. Walk up and down the aisles and look for anything obvious. Damage, beams out of place, clips missing, things that don’t look right.
I was on a site recently where, at about four metres high, there was a beam clip barely hanging on. It was obvious to me because I’m looking for it. The staff member for internal compliance hadn’t seen it at all. To them, it was just wallpaper.
That’s the reality. When you’re in the same environment every day, you stop seeing it.
Our recommendation is:
- Regular in-house visual checks, monthly or quarterly depending on how busy the site is
- A third-party pallet racking inspection once a year for peace of mind and compliance
That way, if there is an incident, you can demonstrate that you’ve done your very best to manage risk properly. That intent, and evidence of good practice, really matters.
Tips for Interim Inspections
For businesses carrying out their own checks between annual inspections, the key is knowing what to look for.
We encourage people to engage with QLD Storage Systems, or a company like us, to understand what constitutes damage and what doesn’t. Not everything is an issue, but some things definitely are.
Some of the points to look out for include:
- Damage to frames and beams
- Missing or dislodged safety beam clips
- Beams that are deflecting, which usually indicates overloading
- Signs of corrosion
- Whether the correct number of anchor bolts have been installed
- General alignment, stability, and condition of the racking
Our aim is to provide simple guidance, so businesses can do a quick check monthly. If something looks wrong, pick up the phone and call. That way, you’re not waiting twelve months to find out there’s a problem.
It’s not about one inspection a year and then disappearing. It’s about staying engaged, staying aware, and making sure small issues don’t turn into bigger ones.
Contact the team at QLD Storage Systems Today
If you’re relying on a once-a-year inspection and hoping nothing happens in between, you’re leaving too much to chance. Annual third-party inspections are essential, but regular internal checks are what help catch issues before they become costly problems. QLD Storage Systems provides independent annual pallet racking inspections and ongoing support to help businesses stay aware, compliant, and in control. If you’re unsure when your last inspection was, or you want confidence that your racking is being checked properly throughout the year, get in touch with QLD Storage Systems and put a clear inspection process in place rather than reacting after damage has already occurred.
About Mennolt Regtien
Mennolt Regtien brings more than 20 years of hands-on experience in the storage and pallet racking industry in Australia, backed by a broader career spent helping businesses grow, improve productivity and solve operational challenges. Before moving into pallet racking and storage systems, he spent around 10 years consulting to small and medium businesses on growth and development, and earlier worked in venture capital and startups, including helping Australasian companies expand into Asian and US markets.
His experience helps him look beyond the racking itself to understand each client’s wider business goals, identify operational issues quickly, and recommend storage solutions that support both efficiency and future growth.
