{"id":374,"date":"2026-09-21T17:20:43","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T07:20:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/devsites.au\/iria\/?page_id=374"},"modified":"2026-10-26T17:10:34","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T06:10:34","slug":"safe-working-load-charts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/devsites.au\/iria\/safe-working-load-charts\/","title":{"rendered":"Safe working load charts"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Safe working load charts<\/span><\/h1>

Why do Safe Working Load (SWL) charts matter?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>

A load chart isn’t a generic number from a catalogue. They need to be based on real data and reviewed any time the racking configuration changes.<\/span><\/h2>

Every racking system has a load limit. That limit needs to be clearly communicated on site so your team knows exactly what the system can safely hold \u2013 for bay, shelf and unit.<\/span><\/h4>

Having no clearly displayed SWL chart is not just a safety risk.\u00a0You\u2019re also exposed to an improvement notice if a visiting Work, Health and Safety inspector can\u2019t find one. We produce reliable SWL reports and, even better, can provide printed load charts for your racking.<\/span><\/h2>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row padding_top_multiplier=”” padding_bottom_multiplier=”” rc_bg_type=”color” rc_bg_color=”#FFFFFF”][vc_column]
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What a Safe Working Load chart should communicate<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>[vc_column_text]SWL charts define the maximum safe working load in three categories:<\/p>\n

Bay.<\/strong> The overall load limit between a pair of frames<\/p>\n

Shelf.<\/strong> The load limit for a pair of beams.<\/p>\n

Unit<\/strong>.<\/strong> The load limit for the specific item being stored, such as a pallet.<\/p>\n

Each category needs its own data. A system can fail at any one of these points, even if the others are well within limits.[\/vc_column_text]

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Why you need a Safe Working Load chart<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>[vc_column_text]The requirement to clearly communicate SWL information is written into AS4084<\/a> \u2013 the Australian standard for steel storage racking. Here’s what it means in practice.<\/p>\n

Load limits must be known and understood.<\/strong> The working load limit per unit and per bay must be clearly shown on the system at all times and not exceeded.<\/p>\n

Racking can\u2019t be altered without a review.<\/strong> Adding, altering, removing components or changing racking usage all affect how load travels through the system. Any configuration change needs to be assessed before it is made.<\/p>\n

A Safe Working Load chart is the clearest way to display load limits.<\/strong> Every racking system needs a corrosion-resistant plaque fixed at around two metres above floor level. The data displayed depends on the date of installation, but it must generally show (at a minimum):<\/p>\n