Installation and selection

• First, employers should determine whether they need to conduct a Pre-Start Health and Safety Review (PSR). [Reg. 851, section 7].
  • Employers, owners, and lessees are required to have a Professional Engineer perform a Pre-Start Health and Safety Review (PSR) when:
    • installing new pallet racks, stacker racks, drive-in racks, cantilever racks, etc., or;
    • modifying existing ones, to ensure their compliance with applicable standards.
  • A PSRis not required when the employer has documentation showing that the rack has been designed and tested in accordance with the current applicable standards [Reg. 851, subsection 7(7)].

 What is a PSR’
 A PSR for rack systems is an inspection report done by a knowledgeable person:

• • to determine if the systems are safe to use; and
  • contains recommendations on what to do if they are not.

• Since October 2000, a PSR is required by law in Ontario, under Section 7 of Ontario’s Regulation for Industrial Establishments (O. Reg. 851), Clause 45 (b).

Inspection

• According to the CSA User Guide for Steel Storage Racks (pg. 16, section 8, 8.1.1 to 8.1.5) the frequency of racking inspections should be governed by the:
  • Nature of the environment in which the pallet rack is situated;
  • Incidence of damage found; and
  • Requirements of local regulations, if any.
• Best Practice
  • Annually at a minimum is a recommended best practice – and more frequently if you have a high incidence of racking damage and/or move product to and from storage racks on a frequent basis.
  • Daily visual inspections by workers who work in racks.
  • Post incident where a rack was hit or damaged.

Condition, maintenance and repair
The OHSA requires the employer to ensure that the equipment it provides is maintained in good condition. Racks must be maintained in good condition by replacing/repairing damaged components of a racking system [OHSA, clause 25(1)(b)].
Use of racks
Employers must ensure lift trucks are being driven and products are being loaded and unloaded on pallet racks in a safe manner.
Employers must ensure that workers are provided with information, instruction and supervision to protect the health and safety of the worker [OHSA, clause 25(2)(a)].
Employers should consider providing worker training on:

• manufacturers’ loading recommendations;
• procedures to report racking damage;
• safe operation of mobile equipment in and around racking (i.e., forklift, pallet trucks);
• regular daily inspection/observation of racks, and
• any additional information relevant to their racking system.

https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/psr/index.php
https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/sawo/pubs/fs_rackingstorage.php
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/900851#BK6