Unanchored Baseplates and Floor Damage – A Hidden Risk in Your Warehouse

When it comes to pallet racking safety, the strength of the system doesn’t just depend on the beams and uprights — it all starts at the base. Unanchored baseplates or damaged warehouse floors are a common issue we find during inspections, and they can seriously compromise the stability of your racking.

What Baseplates Do

Missing Base Plate Anchors

Baseplates connect the upright frames of your racking to the warehouse floor. Their role is to:

• Distribute the load from the upright into the slab

• Prevent movement or tipping under load

• Provide a secure point for floor anchors

Without secure anchoring, the racking structure is vulnerable to collapse, especially when subject to forklift impacts, heavy loads, or vibrations.

What the Standards Require

Under AS 4084:2023 (Steel Storage Racking):

• Every upright must have a baseplate, securely anchored to the floor with manufacturer-approved bolts

• Anchors must be tightened correctly and in good condition

• Damaged slabs or broken bolts must be repaired or replaced immediately

A system with missing anchors or damaged flooring is considered non-compliant and unsafe to use.

Common Issues We Find

• Baseplates without any floor anchors installed

• Loose or missing anchor bolts

• Damaged or cracked concrete slabs around the baseplates

• Improvised anchors or undersized bolts not supplied by the manufacturer

• Uprights sitting directly on the slab without baseplates

Why This Matters

Unanchored or poorly anchored racking can shift or topple under load, putting staff, stock, and equipment at risk. In the event of a collapse:

• There’s a serious risk of injury or fatality

• Product loss and warehouse downtime can be extremely costly

• Your business could face legal consequences for operating unsafe racking

Staying Safe and Compliant

Correct Base Plate Anchoring

• Inspect anchors regularly to ensure bolts are secure and undamaged

• Never operate racking that isn’t anchored as per the manufacturer’s requirements

• Repair floor damage around baseplates promptly

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

How We Can Help...

At Pallet Racking Inspections, we check every upright for correct anchoring, secure baseplates, and floor integrity. If we find missing anchors, damaged concrete, or incorrect fixings, we’ll detail it in our report and provide practical solutions to get your racking back to compliance.