What Are Pallet Rack Safety Clips and Why Are They Important?

Pallet racking may look simple, but every part of the system has an important job. One small part that can easily be overlooked is the pallet rack safety clip.

Safety clips are attached near the end of each beam where it connects to the upright frame. They help keep the beam locked in place and prevent it from accidentally lifting out of the upright.

Even though they are small, missing or damaged safety clips can create a serious problem inside a warehouse.

What Does a Pallet Rack Safety Clip Do?

Pallet rack beams connect to the upright frames using hooks or connector pins. Once the beam is installed, the safety clip helps secure that connection.

Without the clip, a beam may be easier to lift out of position if it is hit from underneath by a forklift, pallet or other equipment. This could cause the beam to become loose or separate from the upright.

The clip is not designed to support the weight of the pallets. Its purpose is to keep the beam connection secured.

Why Are Safety Clips Important?

Warehouses are busy environments. Forklifts and pallet jacks are constantly moving products in and out of the racks. Accidental contact can happen, especially when pallets are being placed onto higher beam levels.

A safety clip adds an extra layer of protection by helping the beam remain attached to the upright.

Every beam connection should have the correct clip, pin or locking device required for that specific rack system. You should never assume that a beam is properly secured just because it appears to be sitting correctly.

Can You Use Any Safety Clip?

Not every pallet rack safety clip is the same.

Different rack brands and styles may use different types of clips, pins or locking mechanisms. A clip that works with one system may not fit or secure another system correctly.

Before replacing a missing clip, confirm the manufacturer and style of the pallet racking. It is also important to make sure the beams and uprights are compatible with each other.

Avoid using random bolts, pieces of wire or other temporary replacements. They may not secure the beam properly and could make the system unsafe.

How Often Should Safety Clips Be Checked?

Safety clips should be checked regularly as part of your warehouse rack inspections.

Walk through the aisles and look for:

• Missing safety clips

• Bent or damaged clips

• Clips that are not fully engaged

• Loose beam connections

• Beams that appear uneven

• Damage around the beam and upright connection

It is also a good idea to inspect the racking after a forklift or pallet hits the system. Even if the damage looks small, the connection may have shifted.

If a clip is missing or damaged, avoid loading that section until the correct replacement is installed and the surrounding rack has been inspected.

Do Safety Clips Make Pallet Racking Completely Safe?

Safety clips are important, but they are only one part of a safe pallet rack system.

The rack should also be properly assembled, anchored to the floor and used within its correct load capacity. Uprights, beams, footplates, anchors, wire decking and other components should be inspected for damage.

Employees should also be trained to report loose beams, missing clips and forklift impacts as soon as they notice them.

Final Thoughts

Pallet rack safety clips may be small, but they should never be ignored. They help keep each beam secured to the upright and can prevent a loose connection from becoming a bigger safety issue.

Before loading your pallet racking, check that every beam has the correct safety clip or locking device installed. Regular inspections can help you find missing or damaged parts before they cause delays, damaged inventory or unsafe working conditions.

If you need help finding compatible pallet racking components, Herdzco Industrial can check our available inventory and help you determine what may work with your current system.