Common Issues Found in
WA Warehouses

"Most warehouses have racking damage or non-compliance issues they're not aware of — until it becomes a safety risk or audit issue."

COMPLIANCE
Incorrectly filled racking load sign found during WA warehouse inspection
01

No Load Signs or Incorrectly Filled Placards

A strong sign the engineering has not been adequately checked

Every pallet racking system must display a load placard that shows the maximum pallet load, maximum shelf UDL, and total bay load. When a placard is missing or left blank, it usually means the racking was self-installed without engineering sign-off — and there's no documentation confirming it's safe for how it's actually being used. An incorrectly filled placard is just as concerning; if the numbers are wrong, operators may unknowingly exceed safe load limits every single day. The placard must also clearly identify the designer, supplier, and installer of the racking — without this information, there is no accountability and no way to verify the system was designed and built to specification.

02

Impact Damage — Beams & Uprights

The most common damage found in WA warehouses

Forklift strikes are the number one cause of racking damage in Australian warehouses. A bowed or dented beam may look minor but it can be operating well below its rated load capacity. Upright (column) damage is even more serious — a compromised upright supports every beam and load above it, and a single failure can bring down an entire bay.

SAFETY RISK
Bent beam impact damage found during Perth pallet racking inspection
COMPLIANCE
Rust and corrosion damage on pallet racking beam found during inspection in Perth WA
03

Non-Compliance Issues

Rust, corrosion, overloaded beams & incorrect pallet use

Non-compliance comes in many forms. Rust and corrosion silently weaken steel over time, reducing load capacity without any visible deformation. Overloaded beams — often caused by a change in product weight or storage method — put the entire structure at risk. Using the wrong pallets or skids without mesh decks can result in product falling through the beam gaps. These issues are rarely obvious to untrained eyes, but they're exactly what a competent inspection picks up.

04

Insufficient Fall Protection

Missing mesh backing & inadequate edge protection

Where product stored at height in racking has the potential to fall onto pedestrians, fall protection such as netting or mesh panels is required as part of the racking system design. This photo shows a correctly installed system with mesh backing in place. Without adequate fall protection, a falling pallet or loose item can seriously injure or kill a worker below. This is one of the most commonly missed compliance items we find on site.

BEST PRACTICE
Correct mesh backing and edge protection on pallet racking — Perth Rack Inspections
SAFETY RISK
Missing safety clips on Colby pallet racking found during Perth warehouse inspection
05

Missing Safety Clips

Small part, serious consequence

Safety clips (also called beam locks or safety pins) are components that can help reduce the risk of beam dislodgement in the event of a minor knock or shift. While they are not designed to withstand major impacts, they do provide an important layer of protection under normal operating conditions. Missing clips are one of the most common findings in WA warehouse inspections, and one of the easiest and most cost-effective issues to fix once identified — but only if you know they're gone.

06

Indoor Racking Installed Outdoors

A hidden engineering & corrosion risk

Outdoor racking installations often require a higher engineering specification than indoor equivalents — thicker posts, longer and more numerous anchors, stronger bracing patterns, and coatings suitable for weathering. When standard indoor racking is installed outside, it almost always begins rusting quickly and may not meet the structural requirements for wind and weather loads. Critically, most racking manufacturers are unable to provide engineering sign-off for their indoor products when used in an outdoor application — meaning the installation is effectively unengineered from day one.

COMPLIANCE
Indoor pallet racking installed outdoors — non-compliant installation found in WA

Our Inspection Services

We provide professional pallet racking inspections to warehouses and distribution centres across Perth and all of Western Australia. Every inspection is fully independent — our assessments are always honest and focused entirely on your safety and compliance.

🔍

AS 4084:2023 Rack Inspections

Full inspection of all racking systems against the current Australian Standard. Suitable for your annual compliance requirement.

📋

Compliance Reports

Clear, practical written reports detailing findings, risk ratings and recommended actions — ready for an unannounced WorkSafe inspection or your insurance file.

🏗️

All Brands Inspected

Apex, Dexion Keylock, Dexion Speedlock, APC, Stow, Colby, Schaefer and more — we inspect every brand of pallet racking and give you an honest, unbiased assessment every time.

📞

Free, No-Obligation Quotes

Tell us about your warehouse and we'll give you a clear, upfront quote. No hidden fees, no pressure — just honest advice.

🔧

Repairs & Replacement

Where non-compliant or damaged components are identified during an inspection, we can assist with repairs or replacement — so you can get back to compliant and back to work quickly.

🏭

Warehouse Design

With experience designing warehouse layouts and racking configurations, Luke can help you plan your space efficiently and safely from day one. Designs are tailored to your specific product, site dimensions and materials handling equipment (MHE) — giving you something you can take straight to market.

Independent. Experienced.
On Your Side.

🎯

Fully Independent

Our inspections are completely independent. You'll always get an honest assessment of what's compliant and what needs attention — with your safety as the priority.

🏅

12 Years Industry Experience

Luke has over 12 years of hands-on experience in the racking industry across Western Australia. He knows exactly what to look for.

All Racking Brands

Whether you run Apex, Dexion, APC, Stow, Colby, Schaefer or any other brand, we inspect it. Every brand, every time — with the same thorough, unbiased approach.

Clear Reports, Fast

You'll receive a practical, easy-to-read report quickly after inspection — not buried in jargon, and not weeks later when you've forgotten what we found.

"We inspect all brands, give you an honest unbiased assessment, and make sure any recommendations are in your best interest."

— Luke Stewart, Perth Rack Inspections

Perth's Local
Rack Specialists

Perth Rack Inspections was founded by Luke Stewart — a racking professional based in Western Australia with over 12 years in the industry. After seeing too many warehouses unknowingly operating non-compliant or dangerous racking, Luke set up an independent inspection service focused on honest, practical advice.

We serve warehouses across the Perth metropolitan area and regional WA. Whether you're a small business with a single aisle of racking or a large distribution centre, we provide the same thorough, unbiased inspection every time.

12+
Years Experience
WA
Wide Coverage
FREE
No-Obligation Quote

Every inspection covers:

Equipment & load compliance — confirming racking is being used as designed, load sizes are within operating clearances, weights are within rated limits and loads are stable
Signage & design compliance — all placards checked to be current, legible and unobstructed, and the installation verified against load signs and configuration drawings to confirm no unauthorised modifications have been made
Structural component inspection — uprights, beams, baseplates, frame bracing and beam connectors assessed for impact damage, deformation, weld cracking, movement and alignment
Beam safety locks — checked for absence and for disengagement of beam connectors from uprights
Corrosion — all components checked including frames, beams, connectors, bracing, base plates and floor fixings
Site & environment checks — floor condition assessed for cracks, deformation and uneven levels, and any building attachment verified as structurally approved
Full written report — clear, practical findings documented with reference to the applicable standard: AS 4084:2023 (current), AS 4084:2012 (retrospective), FEM 10.2.09 (cantilever racking) or FEM 10.2.07 (drive-in racking)

Free, No-Obligation
Quotes

Get your racking inspection sorted today. Call Luke directly or send an email — we'll get back to you fast.

Serving Perth & All of WA

We provide pallet racking inspections across the Perth metropolitan area and beyond. If you're not on the list, just ask — chances are we cover you.

Malaga
Wangara
Balcatta
Osborne Park
Welshpool
Kewdale
Bassendean
Midland
Forrestfield
Canning Vale
Bibra Lake
Jandakot
Myaree
Henderson
Naval Base
Forrestdale
Kenwick
Perth Airport
Neerabup
Gnangara
Rockingham
🚗

Regional & remote WA travel available — including Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Port Hedland and beyond. Get in touch to discuss.

Free Monthly
Inspection Checklist

Under AS 4084:2023, your racking should be informally inspected monthly — and that can be done by your own staff. To make it easy, Perth Rack Inspections provides a free checklist based on the current Australian Standard that your team can use each month.

It's practical and straightforward, and requires no specialist expertise. Please note this checklist is designed to assist with informal monthly inspections only — it does not replace the annual formal inspection by a competent person required under AS 4084:2023.

⬇ Download Free Checklist
📋
Monthly
Checklist
AS 4084:2023
FREE

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the number of bays, the height of the racking and the amount of damage that needs to be recorded. A small warehouse with minimal damage can take as little as an hour, while larger facilities may take several days. Luke will give you a realistic time estimate when you get your quote.

Every warehouse is different, so we provide a free, no-obligation quote based on your specific site. Contact Luke directly on 0499 361 464 for a fast, upfront price.

Perth Rack Inspections performs your formal annual inspection. Under AS 4084:2023, pallet racking must be formally inspected annually by a competent person. In addition, an informal inspection should be carried out monthly — this can be done in-house by your own staff. Perth Rack Inspections provides a free monthly checklist you can use for this download the free monthly checklist here. If you feel your staff would benefit from training on how to conduct informal inspections, get in touch and Luke can provide a quote.

No — inspections are visual and are generally carried out with product in place under normal operating conditions. More can be seen with empty racking, but this is generally not practical for most operating warehouses.

You'll receive a clear written report detailing every finding. You'll receive a clear written report detailing every finding. If repairs or replacement components are needed, Perth Rack Inspections can provide a separate quote for rectification work once the inspection is complete — just let Luke know.

Yes — we inspect all brands including Apex, Dexion Keylock, Dexion Speedlock, APC, Stow, Colby, Schaefer and more. No brand limitations, no bias.

Yes — we cover all Perth metro areas and are happy to travel to regional and remote WA including Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Port Hedland and beyond. Get in touch to discuss travel requirements and we'll provide an upfront quote.