What is a low priority damage?

A low-priority damage is a rack defect that shows signs of contact but does not yet require immediate repair or replacement based on commonly used rack damage tolerances. In other words, the rack has been touched or lightly impacted, but the deformation is small enough that it can be monitored over time rather than being fixed immediately.

In practical terms, this usually means minor dents or deformations on the rack column that are less than 1/8" deep in the area being measured. For example, a small local dent from a pallet or light contact from a forklift that does not exceed the recommended tolerance may be classified as low priority. However, even when the dent is small, you must always make sure that:

The welds between the brace and column are intact
There are no cracks, twists, bulges, or signs of corrosion
Braces are not detached or missing

At Damotech, we encourage using the 1-2-3 Rule as a simple guideline to help classify damage:

1/8" – Maximum frontal deviation allowed for the face of the upright.
2/8" – Maximum lateral deviation allowed on the side of the upright.
3/8" – Maximum deviation allowed on braces in any direction.

If deformation stays within these limits and there are no other issues (such as multiple damages on the same upright), the damage will often fall into the “low-priority” category.

⚠️ Low priority = WATCH

Flag this damage in your inspection log and monitor it during future inspections. If it worsens or crosses the 1-2-3 thresholds, it should be escalated and addressed by a rack safety professional.

To make these evaluations easier for your team, you can order Damotech’s free Rack Safety Assessment poster. It visually explains the 1-2-3 Rule, provides examples of damage levels, and offers clear guidelines on when to monitor, repair, or replace rack components.

Book your free on-site assessment today and let our rack safety experts help you resolve issues quickly, confidently, and in full compliance with industry standards.