If your warehouse racking hasn't been inspected in the last 12 months, you are likely operating outside of Australian Law.
In 2023, the Australian Standard for Steel Storage Racking (AS 4084) received its most significant update in over a decade. It didn’t just change the engineering math; it fundamentally shifted the liability onto business owners.
For warehouses in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Tweed Heads, this update is critical. The new standard explicitly targets “end users”, that means you are now responsible for the ongoing safety, maintenance, and regular auditing of your racks.
This guide explains exactly what AS 4084:2023 requires, how it affects your insurance, and why a “she’ll be right” attitude could cost you thousands in fines.
AS 4084 is the “Bible” of warehouse storage safety in Australia. In 2023, it was split into two distinct parts to separate manufacturing from day-to-day management:
The Bottom Line: Even if you bought top-tier racking 5 years ago, if you aren’t maintaining it according to Part 2, you are non-compliant.
Gone are the days when you could just ask your warehouse manager to “have a quick look” at the racks. The standard now explicitly requires inspections to be conducted by a Competent Person.
This is defined as someone with specific training and experience in racking structural engineering – such as the team at Cannan Industries.
The updated standard establishes a strict timeline for safety checks. Regardless of how new or sturdy your racking looks, you are required to have it inspected by a qualified professional at least once every 12 months.
This is the big one for growing businesses. If you move, extend, or reconfigure your existing racking (e.g., changing beam heights to fit new stock), the entire system must now meet the new 2023 standard, not the old 2012 one.
Moving warehouse? Don’t get caught out. Cannan Industries specialises in Racking Relocations that ensure your re-installed racks are fully compliant from day one
Warehouses in South East Queensland and Northern NSW face unique challenges that generic national standards often overlook.
The “Salt Air” Factor (Gold Coast & Tweed)
Standard powder-coated racking is not designed for high-salinity environments. If your warehouse is in Burleigh Heads, Currumbin, or Chinderah, salt air can accelerate corrosion around the baseplates and anchors. AS 4084.2 specifically notes that corrosion is a fail point. If your baseplates are rusting, your load rating is compromised.
Humidity & Concrete Slabs (Brisbane)
Brisbane’s high humidity can cause “slab sweat,” leading to hidden corrosion under the footplates where you can’t see it. Our audits involve checking the floor fixings, the bolts that actually hold your rack to the ground, to ensure they haven’t rusted through.
When Cannan Industries conducts an audit, we don’t just say “Pass” or “Fail.” We use the industry-standard Traffic Light System to categorise damage.
Minor damage. It’s safe for now, but we record it to ensure it doesn’t get worse.
Significant damage. You don’t need to unload the bay immediately, but you must repair it as soon as possible. If you ignore it, it automatically becomes Red.
Critical structural failure. The bay must be immediately offloaded and taped off. No staff are allowed near it until it is fixed.
Ignoring the standard for steel storage racking can result in significant legal, financial and human costs, such as:
We make compliance simple for businesses across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Tweed Heads. We don’t just find problems, we fix them.
Don’t risk your livelihood. If you can’t remember the date of your last inspection, you are due. Get a free, fast quote for your racking audit today. Serving Brisbane, Gold Coast and Northern NSW.
