Read-aloud huddle
On October 29, 2020, two workers were killed when industrial racking collapsed during testing in Bingley, England. The falling structure struck and overturned their elevated work platform. HSE found that workers had been positioned within the racking's collapse zone during testing. This was an industrial incident; our office application is a planning prompt for supply rooms and records storage. If storage looks unstable, keep people clear and arrange assessment before retrieval resumes. Do not approach it to straighten a stack or rescue supplies. Today, identify one storage location to check from a safe position and agree who will handle any concern. Confirm our local stop-work and no-retaliation procedures before acting. HSE incident report
Build the correction around stable storage
For workplaces in the United States, 29 CFR 1910.176(b) requires stored materials not to create a hazard. Under 29 CFR 1910.176(b), containers and other materials stored in tiers must be stacked, blocked, interlocked and limited in height so they remain stable and secure against sliding or collapse. This is the storage requirement informing our office planning, separate from the UK incident findings.
Adaptable control planning
Adaptable control options, in priority order: plan safe removal of unnecessary stored material; arrange storage that keeps the remaining materials stable and secure; and control access to any suspect area pending assessment. Do not start removal from unstable storage as a housekeeping task. The hazard-prevention guidance in OSHA's Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs prioritizes elimination/substitution and engineering solutions, followed by safe work practices, administrative controls and finally PPE. Discuss the appropriate correction with the person able to implement it. OSHA control planning
Adaptable team discussion and action checklist
- Which supply or records-storage location needs attention, and how can we assess it without entering a potential collapse area?
- How will we keep people clear and obtain help? What are our stop-work and no-retaliation procedures for someone reporting a concern?
- Choose one storage location for a check from a safe position; keep people clear and report any suspected instability.
- Owner/due planning prompt: name the person able to arrange assessment and correction, and agree a completion date or time.
- Agree how the correction will be verified before retrieval resumes and how the person who reported it will receive the outcome.
OSHA recommends assigning responsibility, setting a completion date and planning how to verify that controls work. OSHA hazard control plan
Verify and close the loop
Verification question: What evidence will the responsible person use to confirm that stored materials are stable and secure before retrieval resumes?
Close-the-loop question: Who will tell the person who raised the concern what was corrected, and when?
Note: Comprehension check: What should you do if storage looks unstable? Keep people clear and arrange assessment before retrieval resumes.
Sources
- Two firms fined after racking collapse killed two workers — Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Accessed 2026-10-09. press.hse.gov.uk
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.176(b): Secure storage against sliding or collapse — Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Accessed 2026-10-09. osha.gov
- OSHA: Hazard prevention and control — Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Accessed 2026-10-09. osha.gov