Missing or Damaged Beam Safety Clips – A Small Part With a Big Job

When it comes to pallet racking, safety often depends on the smallest components. One of the most common issues we find during inspections is missing or damaged beam safety clips (also called beam locks). While they may look insignificant, these clips play a critical role in keeping your racking system safe and compliant.

What Beam Safety Clips Do

Beam safety clips are designed to:

• Lock beams securely into the upright frames

• Prevent accidental dislodgement from forklift impacts or vibration

• Maintain the structural stability of the entire racking system

Without them, a single knock from a forklift tine or a heavy pallet can cause a beam to shift out of place — creating a serious risk of collapse.

What the Standards Say

Under AS 4084:2023 (Steel Storage Racking), all beams must be fitted with appropriate locking devices provided by the manufacturer. The system must never be in use with missing, damaged, or improvised clips.

This means:

• Every beam must have safety clips installed correctly

• Clips must be genuine, approved parts supplied by the racking manufacturer

• Damaged or bent clips must be replaced immediately

Common Issues We Find

Missing Beam Locking Pin

• Safety clips missing completely

• Clips bent, broken, or incorrectly installed

• Makeshift replacements such as bolts, pins, or cable ties used instead of approved parts

• Mismatched clips from other brands or models of racking

Each of these problems makes the racking system non-compliant with AS 4084:2023 and unsafe to use.

Why This Matters

A missing or damaged clip might seem minor, but the consequences are not. If a beam dislodges under load:

• Pallets and products can fall, causing injury or damage

• The racking system can partially or fully collapse

• Your business may be exposed to downtime, costly repairs, and legal liability

How to Stay Safe

Damaged Locking Pin

• Regularly check racking to ensure all clips are present and in good condition

• Never operate racking with missing or broken clips

• Only use manufacturer-approved replacement parts

• Arrange regular formal inspections to ensure compliance with AS 4084:2023

How We Can Help...

At Pallet Racking Inspections, we make sure your racking system is not only compliant, but safe for your staff and operations. If clips are missing or damaged, we’ll identify it in our report and advise on the correct replacements to bring your system back to standard.