Warehouse operations in Australia rely heavily on efficient storage systems, and pallet racking is at the heart of that. But beyond installation and use, regular audits and inspections are critical to ensuring the safety, compliance, and long-term performance of your racking system.
Whether you're managing cantilever pallet racking, mezzanines, or warehouse pallet storage racks, conducting a pallet racking audit helps identify damage, load issues, signage compliance, and more. In this guide, we'll cover everything from the relevant Australian standards to how often your audits should occur.
What is AS 4084-2012 Australian Pallet Racking Standards?
The Australian Standard AS 4084-2012 governs the design and use of steel pallet racking in Australia. It ensures that industrial warehouse racking systems are structurally sound and safe for daily use. It applies to pallet storage racks, cantilever warehouse racking, and other types of pallet racking commonly used in Australian warehouses.
Key areas addressed by AS 4084-2012 include:
- Safe load limits and signage requirements
- Proper design, installation, and use of warehouse pallet shelving
- Inspection guidelines and maintenance practices
- Material and construction specifications
While AS 4084-2012 remains widely referenced, a newer version — AS 4084:2023 (also referred to as AS4084 2023, AS4084-2023, or AS4084 racking) — introduces updated requirements, particularly in seismic design, anchoring, and upright configurations. Compliance with either standard, depending on your system’s age and design, is a must during any racking system audit.
How Often Should Racking Inspections Be Performed?
According to Australian standards for pallet racking, inspections should be conducted at regular intervals to maintain workplace safety and compliance.
Here’s a general guideline:
- Visual inspections: Weekly by warehouse staff to identify obvious damage or unsafe loading.
- Formal audits: At least every 12 months by a competent person, often referred to as a pallet racking audit.
For high-traffic warehouses or environments using pallet rack mezzanines or pallet racking industrial systems, more frequent inspections (e.g. every 6 months) may be necessary.
Audits typically include:
- Damage assessment to uprights, beams, and baseplates
- Verification of load signage as per AS 4084
- Evaluation of anchoring systems
- Checks for proper installation and alignment
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Review of associated signage audits, including:
- Safety Sign audits
- Directional Signage audits
- Informational Signage audits
- Accessibility Signage audits
- Branding Signage audits
A complete warehouse audit will consider the full spectrum of safety and compliance measures, not just the racking itself.
Why Partner With TQA
At TQA, we specialise in pallet racking audits, Steel Pallet Racking audits, and comprehensive warehouse audits that go beyond minimum compliance. From AS 4084-2012 to AS 4084:2023, we ensure your systems meet every requirement of the pallet racking Australian standards — and your signage meets accessibility and brand visibility goals.
Ready for your next audit? Contact TQA today to schedule a full racking system audit and signage inspection for your facility.