Pallet racking safety inspections are a statutory requirement under current health and safety legislation and must be carried out at least once a year by someone who is technically competent. If you fail to meet this requirement or have regular rack inspections, it meant that you are not compliant. This could prove a very costly mistake and is likely to invalidate your insurance!

The need for racking inspections is stated in the PUWER regulations and in the SEMA guidelines as follows:

Pallet racking is classified as a Work Equipment under the PUWER regulations and requires regular inspection by a technically competent person such as a DEMA approves rack inspector.

HSG76 is the HSE document ‘Warehousing and Storage, a guide to Health and Safety’ and clearly defines the need for regular inspections by ‘Competent Persons’.

SEMA guidelines require regular rack inspections.

Regular rack safety inspections can help reduce both insurance premiums and maintenance costs. Increasingly insurers are insisting on regular rack inspections and a failure to maintain a regular rack inspection programme is likely to result in an insurance claim being denied.

A rack audit may be required by your health and safety officer, insurance company or local environmental health officer following a warehouse accident or collapse.

Investigation into the causes of damaged results in improving operating methods, damage reduction and reducing maintenance costs and reduced stock damage.

Racking inspection services can assist in the development of internal inspection and recording systems.

How often do we need a rack inspection?

You should have your racking inspected ASAP following installation and ideally before the racks are even loaded! This will give you peace of mind for the next 12 months and ensure that it is done right! After the initial inspection you should get them inspected professionally every 12 months. Ideally you should do a monthly check yourself to ensure no problems.

What should we do next?

You should give Advanced Handling and Storage a call! We can organise your safety inspections so you don’t have to do anything! Simply pick up your phone, dial 0800 345 7088 to speak to one of our friendly advisors! We will organise everything

If you have any questions please also email [email protected]

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