SEMA, the Storage Equipment Manufacturers’ Association has refreshed its rigorous approach to rack inspections. There are three main reasons for an inspection (which is not a substitute for deficient, defective or absent specification, design, installation, training or maintenance).

1. To check the condition of equipment for health and safety reasons and identify repair work

2. To comply with legal requirements, providing a safe place of work and ensure that work equipment is suitable

3. To verify that equipment has been installed correctly Firstly, appoint a Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS) to maintain safe operation of the warehouse storage system, rack inspection and maintenance records.

SEMA’s “Onion Skin” Approach

The SEMA “Onion” consists of three layers with three overlapping levels of inspection

1. Immediate (used to be called the daily) inspection

2. Regular (used to be called the weekly) inspection

3. Expert (annual) inspection

Immediate Inspections

Immediate inspections require the reporting of all damage and areas of concern to the PRRS for evaluation and recording for follow up action.

Regular Inspections

The PRRS should ensure documented inspections are undertaken by a suitably trained individual. Frequency should be weekly or at other intervals based on a risk assessment of the operating conditions of the warehouse, preferably at a quiet time. This inspection should check that loading is as specified on the safe load notice, use is correct use and if there are any missing components.

Expert Inspection

The expert (usually yearly) inspection should be carried out by a technically trained and competent person e.g. SEMA Approved Rack Inspector (SARI) or a trained specialist internally or externally.

Two very different types of SARI inspection prevail. A “damage only” inspection provides a list of damaged items and their location. A full SARI report also offers far more very useful detail. Both regular inspection and SARI Expert inspections are normally a visual inspection from ground level, so working at height shouldn’t be necessary. Cluttered aisles make any sort of inspection difficult!

Full SARI inspection

The full SARI inspection will check for immediate and regular scrutiny; identify/check rack configuration, type and identification of manufacturer and general identification of components. Load notices will be checked for accuracy. A SARI will provide inspection results and classify the damage using the SEMA traffic light reporting system, especially Red Risks. It will confirm that damaged components are being replaced and will report if not. The report will also identify repetitive damage and propose solutions/modifications to avoid or minimise further repetitive damage.

SEMA recommends a risk assessment and method statement be incorporated into company procedure see www.sema.org.uk/codes-of-practice/code-of-practice-forend- users-of-apr and the new SEMA Guide to the Conduct of Inspections.

SEMA

Tel: 0121 6016359

www.sema.org.uk

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