Racking damage assessment from photos
Spotted damage on your pallet racking? Send us photos and we will give you a free first view by email, usually the same working day, with our recommended next steps: whether to offload the bay now, book a repair, or have it inspected.
Or call 01482 218060, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Damage now? Do this first
- Stop loading the damaged bay, and the bays on both sides if an upright is hit.
- Empty them if it is safe to do so, and close them off.
- If the racking looks as though it could collapse, keep everyone away and call us.
- If in doubt, offload. Do not wait for our reply.
How the photo assessment works
Send the photos
Attach them to the form below, email them to sales@hsil.co.uk, or call us and we will tell you where to send them.
We look at them
Someone who knows racking looks at the photos and your description, and comes back to you by email, usually the same working day.
You get a next step
Free advice on what to do now, and a quote for the repair or inspection if one is needed.
What our reply will tell you
A photo is a first view, not an inspection. It cannot show whether an upright is out of plumb, the condition of every fixing, or how the bay is loaded, so we never tell you racking is safe from a photo. We tell you which of these comes next.
Offload and isolate now
What we can see is serious enough that the bay should not carry a load until it is repaired. We tell you which bays to empty and close, and quote for the repair.
Book a repair
The damage needs repairing. We tell you whether the bay should be emptied in the meantime, and send a quote for the replacement parts and fitting.
Have it inspected
A photo cannot show enough to judge it. A racking inspector needs to look at it on site, and we arrange that with you.
How to take useful photos
Good photos let us give you a clearer answer. Take them from the floor and the aisle only.
Do not climb the racking, and do not go into an area that has been closed off.
- The whole bay from the aisle, so we can see the frame, the beams and the load
- A close-up of the damage, with a tape measure or a pen against it for scale
- The same damage from the side, to show any bend in the upright or beam
- The base plate and floor fixing of a damaged upright
- The beam connector and lock, if a beam has been hit
- The load notice at the end of the run, and the location or bay number
Damage we are often asked about
Dented or bent uprights
The most common damage, usually at fork-lift height in the first metre above the floor.
Bent or dislodged beams
Beams struck by a load or by forks, or lifted out of their slots.
Missing beam locks
Without locks, a beam can be knocked out of its slots from below.
Bent or missing bracing
Bracing keeps the frame rigid. Damage to it weakens the whole frame.
Base plates and floor fixings
Base plates crushed or loose, or anchors missing or pulled out of the floor.
Damaged rack protection
Column guards and end barriers that have taken a hit and no longer protect the upright.
Your own staff can check for all of these every week with our free racking inspection checklist.
How racking repairs are carried out
Every repair is planned and carried out under a written risk assessment and method statement (RAMS).
RAMS downloads: links coming soon.
- Damaged parts are replaced, never straightened or welded.
- New parts match the make, size and rated load of the racking, or are confirmed compatible by the manufacturer.
- The bays being repaired are empty, and the work area and aisle are closed off while we work.
- Uprights are checked plumb, beam locks fitted and fixings tightened before the bay goes back into use.
- Damaged parts are labelled and taken away so they cannot be fitted again.
- You get a record of the repairs, by location, to keep with your inspection records.
Racking damage questions
Due an inspection anyway? See pallet racking inspections.
How quickly will you reply?
We aim to reply the same working day to photos sent during our opening hours, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. If it is urgent, call us as well.
Can you tell me my racking is safe from a photo?
No. A photo is a first view, not an inspection. It cannot show whether an upright is out of plumb, the condition of every fixing, or how the bay is loaded, so we never sign racking off from a photo. We tell you what to do next, and if there is any doubt, our advice is to offload.
Should I offload the bay while I wait?
If an upright or beam is visibly bent, split or out of line, or a beam lock is missing, stop loading the bay and empty it if it is safe to do so. Do not wait for our reply. If the racking looks as though it could collapse, keep everyone away and call us.
Is there a charge?
No. Our photo assessment is a free service. Send photos by email or through the form below, and we reply with our recommended next steps: whether to offload the bay now, book a repair, or have it inspected. You only pay if you go ahead with a repair or an inspection, and we always quote for that in writing first.
Do you cover my area?
Yes. We are based in the East Riding of Yorkshire, and our contractors and subcontractors repair and inspect racking across the UK.
Can you look at racking you did not supply?
Yes. We assess, repair and inspect most makes of pallet racking, whoever supplied or installed it.
What happens after the assessment?
You get our advice in writing by email. If the racking needs a repair or an inspection, we send a quote, and arrange the work with you.
Send photos of racking damage
Attach the photos and tell us what happened. We aim to reply the same working day.
Or email them to sales@hsil.co.uk, or call us, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.