Cantilever Racking: Safety, Compliance, and Expert Audits
When it comes to storing pipes, timber, steel lengths, or any other oversized and awkward items, cantilever racking is the go-to solution. However, the unique design that makes it so flexible also makes proper installation, maintenance, and regular auditing critical for workplace safety and legal compliance.
At TQA Group, we specialise in certified, independent cantilever racking audits, ensuring your storage systems meet the stringent requirements of Australian Standard AS4084-2023.
What is Cantilever Racking?
Cantilever racking is a type of storage racking system specifically designed to store long, bulky, or irregularly shaped items that can’t be stored on standard pallet racking. Unlike traditional racking systems that use fixed shelves, cantilever racking features horizontal arms that extend from a central column—creating open, flexible storage levels without front columns getting in the way.
This open-front design makes it easy to load and unload products using forklifts or manually, especially when dealing with items of varying lengths or diameters.
Cantilever racking is typically constructed from high-grade steel and is available in single-sided or double-sided configurations, as well as varying degrees of capacity, such as standard duty, medium duty, and heavy duty. While it’s an indispensable asset for material handling, its modularity means the structural integrity must be consistently verified.
The Critical Need for Cantilever Racking Audits
The primary reason to invest in professional cantilever racking audits is non-negotiable: Compliance with AS4084-2023.
Under Australian Standard AS4084-2023 (Steel Storage Racking), all businesses with racking systems—including cantilever racking—are legally required to have their systems inspected at least once every 12 months by a qualified professional. This ensures structural integrity, compliance, and, most importantly, workplace safety.
Cantilever racking presents unique stress points and failure modes compared to traditional pallet racking. Key areas we focus on during an audit include:
Column Upright Integrity: Checking for plumb and straightness, especially due to potential impact from side-loading forklifts.
Arm Connection Points: Inspecting the bolted or keyed connections of the arms to the column, which are critical load-bearing zones.
Base Plate Anchorage: Verifying that the racking is correctly anchored to the floor slab, especially crucial given the substantial overturning moments inherent to cantilever racking design.
Load Signage and Capacity: Ensuring correct load signage is displayed, reflecting the specific arm length, configuration, and duty (e.g., standard or heavy duty) of the system.
Bracing & Stabilisation: Assessing the horizontal and diagonal bracing for damage, which provides crucial structural stability to the entire bay.
TQA Group’s Cantilever Racking Audit Service
At TQA, we offer professional, independent racking audits that comply fully with AS4084-2023. Our team of qualified inspectors is highly experienced in the specifics of cantilever racking, ensuring a thorough and unbiased assessment of your systems.
Our comprehensive audit includes:
Detailed Site Inspection: A full physical check of every column, base, arm, and bracing component for visible damage, misalignment, or overloading.
Load Verification: Cross-referencing current operational use against displayed load charts and the system’s certified capacity, accounting for arm length and configuration.
Compliance Reporting: Providing a detailed, actionable report that documents all faults, categorised by risk (Red, Amber, Green) as per the Australian Standard.
Recommendations & Rectification Guidance: Offering expert advice on required maintenance, repairs, or re-configuration needed to return your cantilever racking to a safe and compliant state.
Post-Audit Support: Guidance on sourcing and supervising qualified repairers to address any identified structural deficiencies.
If you utilise cantilever racking—whether it’s an outdoor hot-dip galvanised system for timber or an indoor powder-coated system for steel lengths—you are legally responsible for its safety.
Don’t wait for an incident or a government inspection to find non-compliance. Trust TQA Group to assess your cantilever racking systems, provide a detailed report, and ensure you maintain a safe and productive workplace.
Enquire about a Cantilever Racking Audit Today:
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Cantilever Racking FAQs
What is cantilever racking best used for?
Cantilever racking is ideal for storing long, bulky or awkwardly shaped items like timber, steel, pipes, and sheet materials that can’t be stored on standard pallet racking
What weight can cantilever racking hold?
Weight capacity depends on the arm length, arm configuration, and material. We offer both medium- and heavy-duty systems designed to hold anywhere from a few hundred kilos to several tonnes per level. We’ll help you choose the right setup based on your requirements.
Can I adjust the arms or add more later?
Yes. Most cantilever racking systems are modular, allowing arms to be adjusted or repositioned to suit your stock. Additional arms and bays can often be added as your storage needs grow
Do I need to have my cantilever racking audited?
Yes. Under Australian Standard AS4084-2023, all businesses with racking systems—including cantilever racking—are legally required to have their systems inspected at least once every 12 months by a qualified professional. This ensures structural integrity, compliance, and workplace safety.
At TQA, we offer professional racking audits that comply with AS4084-2023. Our team can assess your cantilever and pallet racking systems, provide a detailed report, and recommend any required maintenance or repairs.
Is Cantilever Racking safe for warehouse workers?
When designed, installed, and maintained correctly, cantilever racking systems are safe for warehouse workers. It is crucial to involve qualified professionals for installation and ongoing maintenance and auditing. The annual audit by TQA Group is your primary defence against system failure and injury.
How often should you inspect your Cantilever Racking?
It is legally required to have a formal, qualified inspection of your cantilever racking at least once per year to comply with AS4084-2023. Additionally, a designated person on site should conduct routine weekly or monthly internal inspections for visible damage.
Why are independent audits important for Cantilever Racking?
Independent audits (like those TQA provides) ensure an unbiased assessment of the rack’s condition. We are not selling replacement parts or new systems; our only objective is to verify compliance and safety, giving you confidence in your operational standards.
Enquiries & Orders
We don’t take online orders for pallet racking. To ensure you get the right system for your space, we handle all enquiries over the phone.
Give us a call today to discuss your pallet racking needs.
Enquire about Pallet Racking Solutions for your business
Get in touch with the TQA team using the form below, and one of our team will be in touch within 24 hours.
info@tqagroup.com.au
Phone
1300 218 299