Are your warehouse racking systems CNESST-compliant? Would your pallet racking pass inspection, or would an inspector find missing load plaques, hidden damage, and “temporary” fixes that have become permanent?
For Quebec warehouse and safety leaders, pallet racking maintenance is essential. Under the supervision of regulatory organizations like the CNESST, all warehouses, whether small or large, must comply with strict safety expectations. In this article, we’ll walk through how to:
- Understand CNESST’s expectations for pallet racking compliance
- Turn day-to-day pallet racking maintenance into simple habits
- Overcome common racking maintenance roadblocks
- See how partners like Damotech can support your program
Why Pallet Racking Maintenance Matters for CNESST Compliance
Quebec boasts a thriving network of warehouses that support a wide range of industries, from cold-chain food distribution to heavy manufacturing. These facilities handle everything from fragile perishable goods to robust industrial equipment, demanding advanced storage solutions that prioritize durability and strict adherence to safety regulations. These warehousing operations rely on high-density pallet racking, vertical storage, and, in many cases, automated systems to remain competitive.
However, high-efficiency storage brings real risks: heavy loads over work areas, forklifts navigating narrow aisles, and constant operational pressure. When pallet racks are overloaded, damaged, or poorly maintained, the consequences can be severe, including collapses, injuries, and costly emergency repairs.
CNESST guidance on racking focuses on:
- Proper design, installation, and anchoring
- Clear display of load capacities
- Regular inspections and preventive maintenance
- Worker training and safe operating procedures
A strong racking maintenance program ties all these elements together: inspections, documentation, repairs, protection, and training—ideally in a continuous improvement loop rather than one-off projects.
CNESST Must-Haves for Pallet Racking Compliance
Ensuring safety and compliance in warehouse operations is a top priority, and it starts with two fundamental elements: certification and training.
1. Certifications and Documentation
CNESST expects employers to maintain the safety of work equipment throughout its life cycle, not just at the time of installation. For pallet racks, this entails implementing a formal inspection program to identify damage or wear that compromises structural integrity and taking action based on the findings.
According to CNESST’s guidance (aligned with CSA A344-17), warehouses should conduct:
- Monthly inspections by trained in-house staff.
- At least one annual inspection by a qualified external expert.
Warehouses must also ensure that any repairs or maintenance tasks are performed by properly certified parties. Racking systems must be installed and certified by a professional engineer, and load capacity labels indicating the maximum permissible weight must remain visible at all times—something CNESST repeatedly highlights as a critical safety requirement. Overloading or unclear signage remains a key cause of rack failures.
2. Training
CNESST requires employers to properly train workers before they perform tasks, whether they’re new, experienced, or performing the task for the first time. Training includes:
- Safe use of pallet racking systems
- Proper material handling
- Forklift operation
- Emergency procedures
- Correct lifting techniques
Training isn’t just a regulatory requirement—it’s one of the most effective ways to reduce risk. Damotech’s rack safety materials show that when employees understand racking hazards, they are far more likely to identify and report issues early.
Robust training can reduce incidents linked to:
- Improper loading
- Forklift impacts
- Unsafe, improvised repairs
Day-To-Day Pallet Racking Maintenance: 3 Habits CNESST Expects
A strong pallet racking maintenance program isn’t built once a year. It’s reinforced daily through three operational habits related to load, impact, and environment.
1. Know Your Limits: Load Capacity and Safe Racking
A non-negotiable rule in warehouse safety is to clearly display the load capacity on all structural storage systems. This ensures employees always know the limits of the structure that supports them and how to maintain structural stability.
But signage alone isn’t enough.
Teams should also be trained in proper weight distribution, especially when it comes to:
- Beam deflection
- Damaged pallets
- Uneven weight distribution
Even loads within the weight limit can jeopardize the structure if placed improperly.
2. Protect Racks from Forklift Impacts
Forklifts are essential, but they are also the number one cause of rack damage. CNESST emphasizes the importance of controlling traffic and reducing impact risks.
Damotech provides several protective solutions explicitly designed to absorb and deflect impacts, such as:
- Damo Shield – high-impact building column protector
- Damo Guardrail – bolted guardrail system
- Damo Super Guard – protection for baseplates, rack columns, and anchors
3. Keep the Environment Under Control
When discussing safety, we typically focus on equipment and technique. But the environment itself—how clean and controlled your warehouse is—plays a surprisingly important role.
For instance, if your warehouse is consistently messy, employees will start taking shortcuts, stepping around clutter, or making careless moves to navigate obstructed aisles. This significantly increases the chance of accidents. Maintaining clean, unobstructed aisles is essential for preventing collisions and ensuring safe access during inspections.
Moreover, the workplace must maintain good environmental conditions, with the temperature controlled to prevent rack corrosion or degradation over time.
Common Challenges in Achieving Rack Compliance
Even committed organizations run into hurdles. Here are three of the most common.
1. Lack of Inspection
Some warehouses rely solely on in-house inspections to save costs, but skipping formal inspections can allow minor issues to develop into major—and often expensive—repairs. CNESST’s standards and Damotech’s own inspection programs both stress the importance of early detection.
2. Lack of Awareness
Canadian regulations governing workplace safety (including CNESST, the Canada Labour Code, and Ontario’s OHSA) are widely accessible. However, Concordia University notes that many workers do not fully understand the safety and compliance requirements for racking.
Reasons include:
- Limited training budgets
- Misinterpretation of compliance rules
- Lack of dedicated resources
3. Variability in Racking Systems
Older racking systems may not meet today’s safety expectations. Upgrading or adapting them can be costly and technically challenging, especially when components are incompatible or no longer manufactured. Rack safety partners, such as Damotech, help assess compatibility and determine a safe upgrade path.
Conclusion: Why Pallet Racking Maintenance Is the Key to Long-Term CNESST Compliance
Maintaining safe and compliant pallet racking systems is essential for protecting employees, assets, and ensuring operational continuity. By prioritizing regular inspections, employee training, proper load management, and clear procedures—and by aligning with CNESST regulations—warehouses can significantly reduce risks, cut expenses, and prevent costly downtime.
Challenges such as aging equipment or limited awareness do exist, but addressing them early creates a safer, more efficient working environment. Establishing a routine maintenance schedule and investing in incremental upgrades help facilities stay aligned with modern standards and CNESST expectations.
Damotech partners with warehouses across Quebec and North America to deliver engineering inspections, certified repair solutions, and durable protection systems that make pallet racking maintenance easier and help ensure ongoing compliance with CNESST regulations. If you’re ready to improve safety and reduce risk, our team is here to support you.
FAQ: CNESST Pallet Rack Compliance & Rack Maintenance
Why is pallet racking maintenance essential for CNESST compliance?
How often should pallet racks be inspected under CNESST guidance?
What are CNESST’s main expectations for pallet racking safety?
What kind of worker training does CNESST require for racking compliance?
How can warehouses prevent rack damage from forklifts?
What day-to-day habits help maintain pallet racking safety?
Three daily habits support strong rack maintenance:
- Clearly displaying load capacity and ensuring employees understand safe weight distribution.
- Protecting racks from forklift impacts with proper guarding.
- Keeping the warehouse environment clean, uncluttered, and temperature-controlled to avoid corrosion and reduce accident risks.
What challenges do warehouses face when trying to stay compliant?
How can Damotech help warehouses meet CNESST pallet racking compliance?
