Why We Limit the Strength of Our Rack Safety Strap

Occasionally, forklift drivers will break a strap, especially when they’re implementing products that are new to them, such as the Rack Safety Strap. Like the racks themselves, the rack safety and nets are not forklift-proof. In fact, the strength of each product is intentionally limited so that they will break before compromising the rack system itself.

A failed safety strap can encourage better forklift operation

The big issue we see is that forklift drivers will coast into the bay allowing push-through protection devices to act as a forklift stop and alignment guide (otherwise known as banging). This is terrible for your racking, and habitually driving a forklift this way can exert several tons of lateral pressure on your uprights — not good. Once a device is affixed to the rear, excessive force from the forklift to the rear of the bay equals excessive force on the uprights, which could compromise the overall structure.

When a strap fails due to an excessive load, the strap will fall from one side in a very obvious fashion. This failure notifies the driver that he or she is coming in a little hot and heavy. A strap failure also indicates which drivers might need a little more training, making management’s job a bit easier. For more insight on safe forklift operation, check out 14 Forklift Safety Tips here. 

A failed safety strap can be easily replaced 

A failed strap can be replaced quickly and affordably, and no damage is done to the rack system. Replacing an entire rack system or accounting for any other additional damage will likely involve replacing multiple parts or facets. So, not only is this alternative much more costly, you will also spend more time cleaning up. Using a failed strap as an indicator will also decrease the likelihood of breakage over time as forklift drivers learn to use better alignment techniques.

Each rack safety strap has a minimum burst strength of 2,400 lbs. A typical application of two to four straps increases the overall strength and significantly distributes the force outward. In other words, our straps just aren’t built for overloaded, unsafe racking — and they break to help you limit this occurrence. After all, one or two failed straps are unlikely to disrupt business the way that an entire broken racking system could since they’re not directly putting your inventory or employees in harm’s way. 

We make our rack safety products limited in strength for the same reason we make them affordable and easy to install. We want to help you preserve your inventory, maximize your organization and productivity, and create a workplace that is as efficient as it is safe. 

A stronger strap leads to more damage

Could we change the way we make our straps and nets? Sure, we could build them so that the weakest point in the system against lateral forces is the rack itself, but do you really want that? 

As always, we’re here to answer any questions you may have about our products or dealers, provide you with a free sample, installation videos, and more!

This information was originally published on July 28, 2016 and has since been updated.