The Five Most Common Warehouse Safety Hazards
The hazards that cause the most warehouse injuries, and how to prevent them.
Read the Article βCollection: Safety Equipment
Choosing Warehouse Safety Equipment by Hazard
Start with the risk you need to control. Each hazard below points to the equipment built for it and where it is typically installed.
| Hazard | Equipment | Where It Goes |
|---|---|---|
| Forklifts striking rack uprights | Column protectors, rack end protectors, space-saving rack protectors | Upright bases along aisles and at aisle ends |
| Equipment entering walkways or hitting machinery and walls | Guard rail systems, floor-mounted barriers | Pedestrian walkways, work cells, machinery, and building columns |
| Damage to dock door tracks | Overhead door track guards | Both sides of overhead and loading dock doors |
| Loads falling from pallet racks | Safety netting, welded mesh rack guards, safety straps | Rack backs facing aisles or work areas, and flue spaces |
| Pallets pushed too far or beams dislodging | Beam pallet stops, safety clips, J-bolt drop pins, rack anchors | Rear beams, beam-to-upright connections, and upright base plates |
| Collisions at blind corners | Convex and dome safety mirrors | Aisle intersections, corridors, docks, and parking lots |
| Injuries to workers themselves | Safety glasses, work gloves, hard hats, fall protection | Every worker, based on the task |
Guard Rails, Column Protectors, and Rack Guards for Forklift Traffic
Impact protection from Handle It is made of steel with a safety yellow powder coat, so it is easy to see and stands up to repeated hits. Shop the full line in warehouse guard rails.
Guard Rail Systems
Guard rails are tested to withstand 10,000 lbs at 4 mph and come in 2' to 10' lengths. Build your own run with rails and single, double, corner, or offset columns, or order a kit: single rail kits include 1 rail and 2 columns, and double rail kits include 2 rails and 2 double columns. A down guard adapter sets the bottom rail flush to the floor for low-level protection.
Rack and Column Protectors
Column protectors made from 7-gauge steel wrap individual uprights and come in 12", 18", and 24" heights with 4.5", 6.5", or 8.5" openings. Rack end protectors guard the ends of a rack run in 42" or 48" widths and 1/4" or 3/8" steel. Space-saving protectors keep a low profile at aisle ends and work in below-freezing temperatures. For humid, outdoor, or harsh environments, choose the 12"-tall galvanized post protector. Wedge anchors for protectors are sold separately.
Floor Barriers and Door Track Guards
12"-tall floor-mounted barriers keep forklifts and product out of walkways. They come in 3' to 10' widths, join together, and include anchor bolts, with inside and outside corner pieces available. Overhead door track guards are 48" tall and made from 1/4" steel, with left- and right-hand versions to shield both sides of a door.
Pallet Rack Safety Netting, Mesh Guards, and Straps
Load containment keeps product from falling off the back of a rack into an aisle or work area. Compare options in pallet rack safety nets, panels, and straps.
Safety Netting
Knotted nylon netting, 48" to 144" tall, made to order for 96", 120", or 144" bays. Choose 1.75" mesh (1,250 lb rating) for smaller items or 4" mesh (2,500 lb rating) for pallet loads. Flame retardant to NFPA 701.
Welded Mesh Rack Guards
Rigid 8-gauge steel panels with 2" x 2" welded mesh, 48" or 60" tall and 96" to 144" wide. They bolt to teardrop upright frames with flush-mount brackets and keep stored items visible. Made in the USA.
Safety Straps
High-visibility 2" polyester straps with a 2,400 lb break strength that lock into teardrop or slotted uprights, 48" to 144" wide. An elastic expander allows up to 6" of overhang. A quick, low-cost way to keep pallets from sliding into flue spaces.
Pallet Rack Safety Accessories
Small components keep pallet racking assembled and loads seated correctly. Find these and other parts in pallet rack accessories.
- Beam pallet stops: 5"-tall steel stops that keep pallets from being pushed past the rear beam. Choose by beam face (4.75", 6", or 6.5") and offset (flush, 3", or 6").
- Safety clips: Lock beams into teardrop uprights so they can't be knocked loose. 2 are required per beam.
- J-bolt drop pins: Keep beams from lifting out of uprights after an impact or vibration. 2 are required per beam, and they fit many rack types.
- 1/2" x 3" rack anchors: Secure upright frames to the floor.
Convex and Dome Safety Mirrors for Blind Spots
See All safety mirrors let drivers and pedestrians see around corners before they meet.
- Indoor glass convex mirrors (round): 12" to 36", with a distortion-free 160-degree view for aisles and intersections.
- Indoor glass convex mirrors (rectangular): 12" x 18" to 20" x 30", made for low-ceiling hallways where round mirrors won't fit.
- Outdoor plastic convex mirrors: 12" to 36", impact- and moisture-resistant for docks, driveways, and parking lots.
- Plastic dome mirrors: 18" to 36", in 180-degree half domes for T-intersections or 360-degree full domes for four-way intersections.
Safety Gear for Warehouse and Jobsite Crews
Facility equipment protects the space, and safety gear protects the people working in it. Shop safety glasses, work gloves, hard hats, and fall protection, along with high-visibility and FR clothing for warehouse, maintenance, and utility crews.
Free 10-Point Warehouse Safety Inspection
Not sure which equipment your facility needs? Our team will come onsite to check upright and strut condition, beam connections, safety pins and clips, decking, upright anchoring and wall bracing, beam rotation or deflection, and clearance between stored product and heating units.
Shelving.com is also certified to perform RMI rack inspections. Schedule your free inspection.
Warehouse Safety Equipment FAQs
Answers to common questions about choosing and installing warehouse safety equipment.
Which pallet rack netting mesh size should I choose?
Choose 1.75" mesh for cartons and smaller items that could slip through larger openings. It is rated for a 1,250 lb dead-hang load. Choose 4" mesh for heavy objects and typical pallet loads. It is rated for 2,500 lbs.
Can pallet rack safety netting be returned?
No. Safety netting is made to order for your rack height and bay widths, so it is not returnable. Confirm your measurements, or contact our team before ordering.
Are anchors included with rack protectors and barriers?
It depends on the product. Floor-mounted barriers include anchor bolts, while column protectors and rack end protectors require wedge anchors that are sold separately. Check the details on each product page before ordering.
Should I choose glass or plastic safety mirrors?
Glass convex mirrors give a sharper, scratch-resistant image for indoor aisles and corridors. Plastic mirrors are impact- and moisture-resistant, which makes them the better choice outdoors at docks and parking lots. Dome mirrors are plastic and are used where you need to see in several directions at once.
Do safety clips fit all pallet racking?
Safety clips are made for teardrop pallet racking. J-bolt drop pins work with many rack types. Both are required in pairs, with 2 per beam.
What does the free warehouse safety inspection cover?
The 10-point inspection looks at upright and strut integrity, dented or bent columns, beam connections, safety pins and clips, decking, upright anchoring, wall bracing, beam rotation or deflection, and clearance between top-shelf product and heating units. Learn more and schedule.
Warehouse Safety Resources
Practical guidance for spotting hazards and keeping racking safe.
Five Safety Installations No Warehouse Can Live Without
The physical safety equipment that belongs in nearly every warehouse.
Read the Article βAre Your Pallet Racks as Safe as Possible?
What to check on your racking and when it is time for repairs or added protection.
Read the Article βMake Your Warehouse Safer
Tell us about your facility, or schedule a free 10-point safety inspection. We'll help you choose the right protection for your racking, traffic areas, and crews.
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