OPERATORS GUIDE

CANTILEVER
RACKING

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

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CONTENTS
SECTION 1:

Introduction

SECTION 2:

Safety Audit Checks

SECTION 3:

Maintenance

SECTION 4:

General Use & Install

SECTION 5:

Product Overview 10

SECTION 6:

Changing your Cantilever Racking configuration 11

SECTION 7:

Lifting Trucks 12

SECTION 8:

Handling Loads 13

SECTION 9:

Precautions / Red Flags 19

SECTION 10: Replace or Repair? 20

SECTION 11: MECA Racking Solutions Warranty 21

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

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Section 1

INTRODUCTION
The information in this guide is intended to improve operators understanding about effective and
safe use when using a forklift and a MECA Cantilever Racking system.
Read this guide thoroughly before commencing use of the racking. Be sure you know and
understand all operating procedures and safety precautions.
If you have any questions, or dont understand a procedure, please make contact with your
MECA Racking systems expert or speak with your supervisor.

Safety First
Most accidents are caused by operator carelessness or misjudgement. You must at all times
watch for hazardous situations and correct them.

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

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Section 2

CANTILEVER RACKING
INSPECTIONS
We recommend you schedule a monthly walk through of your warehouse to check for any
damage, bumps, missing parts or faulty elements to your racking or storage system.
MECA recommend you appoint a person responsible for the reporting and checking of your
system and put in place an internal procedure for Safety and Risk Assessment reflecting your
companies standards.
A suggested plan is the have daily, monthly and annual triggers of checking:

Daily Responsibilities of the Warehouse Manager

Ensure a safe and clean working environment

Check all items noted in the diagram on page 6 each day as you are working in and
around your rack.

Damaged goods to be handled separately

Safety issues to be raised with your Safety Office

Suspicious areas to be noted for more in-depth checking

Monthly Inspections by Warehouse Manager &

Safety Officer

Physical inspections of each bay, column, base and load to ensure weighting and packs are
being held correctly

Safe working signage is clear and correct

Any repairs, faults etc are reported back to MECA

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

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Section 2

CANTILEVER RACKING
INSPECTIONS
Annual Inspection by MECA Racking Solutions

Cross Braces
Rating Stickers

Damaged Arms
or Column

800 KG
CAPACITY

Fasteners

Damaged Arms
or Base

An intensive inspection by a MECA Racking Solutions representative and Safety Officer to ensure
all standards are being met, procedures of care and storage are being followed and any
changes made to the initial and specific installation have been done correctly.
If you notice anything of concern, please call your MECA Racking Solutions representative to
come on site to inspect your area in more detail and to provide you with a solution.
Please complete the table below to ensure a consistent Safety Audit Inspections. Your MECA
representative will also complete the below table on routine visits.

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

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Section 2

CANTILEVER RACKING
INSPECTIONS
Date

Inspection
completed by

Notes

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

Actions

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Section 3

MAINTENANCE
Your MECA storage solution will require maintenance on average once every 12-24 months.
By maintenance we mean a complete check:

All hardware in place and secure

Replace any arms or beams damaged or heavily dented

Columns straight and free of damage

General working order of your MECA installation

LET MECA HELP

To arrange a complete maintenance check prior to your MECA representative contacting you,
please call 1300 661 198.

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

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Section 4

GENERAL USE
& INSTALL
MECAs products are manufactured and installed for general use in warehouse and storage
environments and are designed to hold loads and products as outlined in your specification.
For optimal installation and for ongoing use of the system, the environment is to have the
following elements and tools considered:

Forklift
Your forklift, side loader or crane must be suitable for your optimal use of your space and rack.
Please ensure your forklift is regularly serviced and checked and can manage the requirements of
your business and warehouse.
See the LIFTING section for further information on forklift use.

Floor
The base your racking is to be erected on should be checked and accommodated for the
following:

Flatness

Surface level tolerance

Capable of carrying specified loads

Clean of debris

Lighting
Adequate and even lighting is to be provided for both the installation team and the ongoing
working conditions of the space.

Operators
Your warehouse/operations personnel are to be trained to operate any of your forklift/machinery,
trained in safe working practice and have a good understanding of warehouse storage
management and storage to ensure a safe warehouse.

To plan and to specification

Your racking system has been designed, manufactured and installed to your companys
specification. Ensure prior to completion, that your systems set up meets these details.

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

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Section 5

PRODUCT
OVERVIEW
The MECA Cantilever Racking systems are designed to handle oversized single unit loads on
pallets or other forms of containment.
All MECA Cantilever racking systems are engineered to handle only those loads and capacities
specified at the time of installation. The rated capacity of each arm is displayed on a sticker
affixed to each arm assembly. No single load should exceed this capacity.

BRACE

COLUMN

ARM

BASE

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

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Section 6

CONFIGURATION
Changes
The leading benefit of your MECA Racking warehouse system is the ease, speed and flexibility a
change in your configuration can be made and adapt to your needs, however it is important to
note that any chance may alter your load capacity.
It is important to follow the points below when changing the Pivot-Arms and if unsure or would
like a demonstration, please call your MECA Racking representative for assistance.

Contact MECA racking

For assistance on your warehouse configuration, please call 1300 661 198.

To change a MECA pivot-arm on your cantilever rack

Remove load
from all arms*

Relocate arm to
desired level

Remove safety
clip

Refit safety clip

to arm

Slide pin out

whilst holding
arm

Repeat process
for all arms in
load level

* If above 1800 use personal lifting equipment to reach

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

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Section 7

LIFTING TRUCKS
It is recommended that you refer to your forklift supplier manual for safe activity of forklift
use, training and damage prevention before working using a lifting truck with a
MECA Racking system.
Your forklift truck, side loader or crane must be suitable for your capacity, warehouse design
and racking configuration. If there are any concerns regarding the usability or suitability of
your equipment, please contact your machines manufacturer to confirm your required use.

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

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Section 8

HANDLING LOADS
Handle your load with ease, caution and care. Keep a safe warehouse and make sure your
packs are being loaded and lifted with caution and in correct positions.

Load Distribution
See diagrams below for appropriate storage and loading.

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

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Section 8

HANDLING LOADS
Fork truck handling loads
Top of load should not
extend above backrest.

LOAD
WEIGHT

Limit sideshift
operation with
raised load.

Load weight must not exceed

attachment capacity
see attachment nameplate.

Center load prior to

lifting and travell ing.
Limit truck movement
with raised load.

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

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Section 8

HANDLING LOADS
SAFETY
RULES
Fork truck handling loads
Fork Truck -Handling Loads

Do not reverse through doorways,

racking or around obstructions,with the
attachment arms extended

Do not drive foreward through doorways,

racking or around obstructions,with
the
.
attachment arms extended

Check load width before attempting to

drive through doorways,or openings.

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

Always close attachment arms before

attempting to drive. through narrow
doorways or openings

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Section 8

HANDLING LOADS
SAFETY
RULES and transporting plasterboard
Loading

Loading &Transporting Plasterboard

A (For Truck equiped with multi-tyne handler attachments)

Before you start handling loads - check fork spacing on conveyor system.
This is to ensure that there is no interference between the forks and racking arms.
Incorrectly spaced forks may cause damage to the load and racking.
Adjust fork spread to suit spacing of conveyor rollers

B (For Truck equiped with multi-tyne handler attachments)

With forks still in same position, position truck infront of the racking face,
check and see if the forks are clear of the racking arms. If forks
clearance on arms is not sufficient then repeat procedure with different
settings until the right fork spead can be found.

Adjust positions
as required

C (For Truck equiped with multi-tyne handler attachments)

With fork positions established - using some marker tape, mark the positions
on the attachment frame and a corresponding mark on the attachment fork.
This will make for easy pick-up and loading next time. Repeat this for other
loads but use different colour markers.

Fork Marker

Frame Marker

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

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Section 8

HANDLING LOADS
SAFETY
RULES and transporting plasterboard
Loading

Loading &Transporting Plasterboard

Move up to load, tilt forward to level forks

B) Lower forks into conveyor
slots,drive forward until
backrest meets the load face.
Raise the load free of the
conveyor

Align forks with arms on cantilever racking or use

preset markers on arms for easy alignment

Align truck with

racking

Plaster Board
Roller Conveyor

Raise load till clear of arms, drive forward

with load against backrest

Truck/load and racking

must be parallel

Lower load on racking arms - First check all is clear,

reverse backwards away from rack. To retrieve goods
from racking, reverse the above procedure

(Note: forks must not make

contact with cantilever arm
as this may result in damage
to arm)

Plaster Board

Reverse
slowly
Plaster Board

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

Lower
Load

Plaster Board

Plaster Board

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Section 8

HANDLING LOADS
OVERLOAD

Your MECA racking engineer has carefully inspected the type of goods to be handled, the work
environment, and has recommended the most suitable rack configuration required to handle your
loads. Do not overload or alter the layout design framework as this may impair the working,
and balance of your system.
AFETYsafety
RULES

Correct Loading - Do Not Overload

Correct loading
Load must not
protrude past
end of arm

W
R
O
N
G

R
I
G
H
T

Your MECA racking engineer has carefully inspected the type of goods to be handled, the work environment,

Your MECA
Racking engineer has carefully inspected the type of goods to be handled in the work environment.
and has recommend the most suitable post/frame and arm configuration required to handle your loads.
Do Not overload or alter in anyway the racking layout design recommendations as this may impair
the structural integrity of ther racking. The Load must span all arms and be placed well back as possible.

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

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Section 9

PRECAUTIONS &
DAMAGE RED FLAGS
Here are some tips to watch out for and to prevent damage or possible accidents in your
warehouse:
POSSIBLE CAUSE or
PRECAUTION

HOW TO MINIMISE DAMAGE

Handling Equipment

Use correct handling equipment.

Storage

Correct storage on arms considering weight, load size and

pack type.

Truck Drivers

Communicate with all drivers and personnel in your warehouse

on use of your racking system.

Management

Procedures, stock flow and space.

Rack Provisions

Providing guide rails, rack protections.

Warehouse Safety

Signage, aisle markings.

Training

Ensure all personnel working in the warehouse are trained on

use, safety and your companies OH&S procedures.

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

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Section 10

REPLACE
or REPAIR?
How do you know if your damage can be replaced or repaired ?
It is best to call your trained MECA Racking representative to come out on site and inspect your
structure to advise you of any parts that can be repaired or need replacing.

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

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Section 11

CONDITIONS
OF WARRANTY
This document ( Warranty Document) sets out the terms and
conditions of the warranty supplied by MECA Racking Solutions
(MECA) for the sale of MECA products and parts to the client.
To support MECAs commitment, to the market and ensure
compliance with Australian Standards AS4084-1993 and all
other FEM and world standards for quality. MECA supplies a
warranty of ten years (this warranty) (renewable annually as
set out below) on all MECA products and equipment which are
purchased by the Client from MECA and installed by registered
trade installation crews approved by MECA. This Warranty is
subject to the following conditions, terms and exclusions.

1. Materials And Workmanship

Defect Warranty
1.1 In order to retain the benefit of this warranty, the Client
must comply with the following:
1.2 Throughout the lifetime of this warranty, the Client must,
allow MECA or an authorised representative of MECA to
conduct an annual inspection of any supplied and
installed MECA pallet racking or product or part thereof.
Should the Client fail to permit MECA to conduct any
such annual inspection by MECA, this warranty will be
automatically terminated. It is the responsibility of the
Client to contact MECA offices to schedule the annual
inspections to maintain this warranty.
1.3 The Client shall supply MECA with a written notification
request for inspection of the site of installation within
each 12 month period from the date of purchase and
MECA will then inspect the site as soon as is practicable
thereafter. The first annual inspection will be at no cost to
the Client. In each subsequent 12 month period during
the warranty period, the client will be charged for
inspections at the standard rate for inspections set by
MECA from time to time. Any failure to pay MECA for an
inspection will void this warranty.
1.4 Once a successful record of annual inspection completed
by MECA has been issued and filed with MECA, and
subject to the satisfactory findings of such inspection by
MECA or MECAs representatives (including confirmation
by MECA that the maintenance and usage of the MECA
product and parts by the Client has been in accordance
with all requirements of MECA.) MECA and or the
representative or authorised agent will supply a certificate
of warranty to cover the following 12 month term. If the
Client refuses to permit MECA to conduct an inspection,
or if an inspection reveals that the client is not using,
repairing, or maintaining any of the MECA products or
parts in accordance with the instructions and requirements
of MECA, then this warranty will be terminated.

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

1.5 Without limiting the foregoing any failure by the client to

replace any part or product supplied by MECA that has
deteriorated due to any normal wear and tear or any
environmental conditions or for any other reason
identified by MECA, then MECA reserves the right to
terminate this warranty.
1.6 After each annual inspection has been completed and
the Client has at its cost:
a) Purchased from MECA any replacement parts and
undertaken all repairs at the cost of the client;
b) Complied with all other requirements of MECA in
relation to the MECA products and parts; and the
client will be issued with a new warranty certificate to
cover the following 12 month period;
1.7 Consecutive 12 month warranty is :
a) Not transferable and only applies to any new and
previously un-used MECA product or parts that have
been installed by MECA or authorised MECA
installation agents.
b) Subject to all of the exclusions, limitations and
conditions contained in this Warranty Document.

2. Warranty Against Factory

Structural Damages
2.1 Subject to the exclusions, limitations and conditions
contained in this warranty, in the event of any MECA
product or part structurally failing within the 10 years of
the date of purchase from MECA; MECA will replace or
repair with an equal or new product and or part with no
charge to the client.
a) This warranty is only valid for new and previously
unused MECA parts, and product.
b) This warranty is not in any way transferable from the
client to any other user, (unless by an agreement in
writing issued by MECA) and is subject to all MECA
warranty terms and conditions contained in this
warranty.
c) This warranty will be void if the MECA product or
part:
i) Is subjected to misuse, accident, stress or
negligence or if the need for repair or
replacement of the MECA product or part is the
result of any act or neglect by the client or any of
its employees, agents, representatives, or invitees;
ii) Is used for any application other than as specified
by MECA;

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Section 11

CONDITIONS
OF WARRANTY
iii) The client fails to adhere to any instructions
provided by MECA for the use of the MECA
product or part, including any loading charts for
excess supplied by MECA. This includes any
failure to comply with the weight load limitations
for the relevant MECA product as specified by
MECA in its loading charts which the client
acknowledges having received prior to the date of
this warranty;or
iv) any failure by the client to immediately carry out
any works or purchase any replacement parts
recommended by MECA, whether after an annual
inspection referred to above or otherwise. Upon
the discovery the client or any of its employees or
agents of any structural damage or defect of any
MECA product or part thereof, the client agrees to
allow any MECA representative or authorised
MECA agent to inspect any such damage or
suspected product failure to the place of
installation and to complete its obligations under
this warranty.

3. MECA Product Maintenance

Requirements
3.1 This Warranty is recognised for all MECA products and
equipment as supplied by MECA with any moving parts
and is conditional, upon the client undertaking at its cost
all scheduled preventative, maintenance as specified by
MECAs service advisors or engineers throughout the
period of this warranty.

4. MECA Warranty Conditions

Agreement Exclusions

any third party, repair, alter, or modify any MECA

product or parts without the prior written approval of by
MECA.
4.3 If any product or part supplied by MECA is removed
from an installed site for relocation, then that product or
part must be re-certified by a MECA representative, in
order to maintain this warranty.
4.4 Except as required by law, MECA makes no other
warranty and provides no representation other than as
contained in this Warranty Document.
4.5 Improvements on any and all products and parts for
design, materials, and all other improvements are at the
discretion of MECA, and shall not incur any further
obligations to make any such improvements or
installations to any already supplied and or existing
MECA product or part.

5. Definitions
5.1 The original person or party that purchased the MECA
product or service is a client of MECA.
5.2 A defect or structural failure is defined as any breaking,
cracking, or collapsing of the MECA product or part
which is caused by the negligence of MECA.
5.3 All environmental conditions includes chemical
exposure, corrosion, fire, explosions, or acts of God.
5.4 Including is not a word of limitation.

Acknowledgement By Client
The client hereby acknowledges and accepts the terms and
conditions contained in this Warranty Document.
Date:

4.1 Subject to all of the conditions contained in this warranty,

MECAs liability under this Warranty Document is limited
to the repair of a MECA product or part or its
replacement (if so required in the opinion of MECA) by
an equivalent product or part. MECA will not under any
circumstance be liable for any or all direct or indirect
losses, claims, damages, or liabilities of whatsoever
nature, including loss of production, loss of market, loss
of profit, damages, costs, or expenses of any nature, or
for any financial or consequential economic loss or
damage that may be suffered by the client or by any
third party; as a result of or in any way connected with
any MECA product or part.

For and on behalf of the Client

4.2 MECA reserves the right to void this Warranty Document

at the unfettered discretion of MECA should the client or

Your MECA Racking representative is:

OPERATORS GUIDE CANTILEVER RACKING

Name of the Client:

Address of the Client:

Contacts

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