INNOVATION September-October 2017

P R A C T I C E

NEW REGULATIONS FOR STEEL STORAGE RACKS The failure of a storage rack has the potential to cause serious injuries or fatalities, and WorkSafeBC

shelving and display fixtures commonly used for retail purposes. The goal of the new regulations is consistent application and interpretation of the safety requirements around the design, installation, operation and maintenance of steel storage racks that will benefit both employers and workers. These new regulations are expected to increase the demand for professional engineering services, as they place a duty of care on employers to ensure that safety protocols are in place for steel storage racks within their workplace. If employers are unable to fulfill their obligations by referring to the manufacturer’s documentation or contacting the manufacturer of the racks, they must do so by obtaining the services of a professional engineer. For example, an engineer may be asked to provide the rated capacity of the racks, engineering drawings of approved configurations, safe installation/ uninstallation instructions, maintenance instructions, and safe loading/unloading procedures. If an engineer’s assessment reveals deficiencies in the existing racks, employers will be looking for guidance on corrective actions such as whether to repair, replace, or use the rack under controlled operating parameters. Another part of the new regulations is the requirement for regular inspections of racks. This could result in employers noticing damage to their racks that would then require the services of a professional engineer to assess and determine a corrective course of action. Also, any modification or reconfiguration of a rack done without the specifications of the manufacturer will require a professional engineer’s guidance. To provide guidance for members working in this area, Engineers and Geoscientists BC is preparing a member advisory on the appropriate standard of care for professional engineers when providing services related to steel storage racks. The Discrete Scope Projects Directory on the Engineers and Geoscientists BC website (egbc. ca/Member-Directories/Discrete-Scope-Projects- Directory) is available as a means to connect employers with professionals who have the appropriate skill set for work related to storage racks. This voluntary directory allows members to self- declare their specialty areas of practice, typically related to projects with a distinct and limited scope. For more details about the new regulations, see the WorkSafeBC website: worksafebc.com/en/health- safety/tools-machinery-equipment/storage-racks. j

is introducing new regulations to address this concern. The use of steel storage racks is common in many different workplaces including distribution centres, warehouses, manufacturing plants, and retail storage areas. Storage racks typically hold large quantities of material and can pose inherent risks if they are not properly designed, installed, used, maintained, and repaired. WorkSafeBC approved changes to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulation regarding storage racks, which come into effect January 1, 2018. These changes apply to Part 4: General Conditions under the Storing and Handling of Materials section. Many sections of the new regulations are not entirely new requirements, but were previously not specific to storage racks. The new regulations apply to steel storage racks made of steel frames, beams and associated accessories that are assembled into a structure to support materials and products. Common types of steel storage racks are pallet racks and cantilever racks, however the new regulations apply to other types of steel storage racks such as drive-in or drive-through racks, push-back racks and other similar types of industrial racks. Exemptions to the new regulations are steel storage racks under eight feet in height, where the materials are loaded or unloaded off the storage rack manually by workers. The new regulations do not apply to

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