In modern warehousing facilities, damage to pallet racking is still a problem for warehouse and health & safety managers. Fast moving environments which use a variety of manual handling equipment (MHE) including counter balance, reach and VNA fork lift trucks and pedestrian operated electric pallet trucks are likely to cause damage to the main components of their racking. If operators don’t have the required skills, knowledge and experience then this trend will long continue.
The costs associated with repairing damaged racking can be high and can have detrimental effects on the cost effective operation of your site, costs which often have to be passed on to your customers. The potential costs following a racking collapse are unthinkable, a large proportion of which would be uninsured, not to mention the human cost in the event of an accident. It was for these reasons that Rack Training Ltd was formed to work with companies to help them to reduce the amount of damage their racking suffers and ultimately lowers costs. They specialise in developing and delivering site specific training courses aimed at operators, supervisors and anyone who works in and around pallet racking to raise awareness of the types of damage and the potential consequences of damaged racking.
Courses range from a basic two hour pallet racking awareness course, through to a two day damage inspection course for more competent staff including supervisors and the person responsible for storage equipment safety PRSES “person appointed by the warehouse management with responsibility for maintaining the safe operation of the warehouse storage system”, as required under section 8.1.1 of the EN15635 European standards.
The basic courses are ideal for operators already working in the warehouse as well as those new to the environment and can be delivered as part of staff inductions particularly when recruiting large numbers of temporary staff at busy periods.
It was identified many years ago by the Storage Equipment Contractors Association SECA that there was no formal qualification for the storage equipment industry. Since then in conjunction with a working group and Cskills Awards an NVQ was developed to address this shortfall.
The Cskills Awards Level 2 NVQ Diploma in “Specialist Installation Occupations (Construction) – Industrial Storage Systems” is a work-based course assessed on-the-job and has proved popular with both installers and warehousing & logistics companies alike, who have realised the cost benefits of having competent, qualified staff as part of their team. Rack Training are currently the only company to offer this qualification which enables installers and inspectors to gain a nationally recognised QCF qualification, Further to this a new NVQ/QCF has been developed which is specifically for the inspection of industrial storage systems and will be available shortly.
Having worked with some of country’s leading manufacturing and distribution companies including ASDA, Iron Mountain, H J Heinz, IKEA, Balfour Beatty and DHL to name but a few, Rack Training have developed a reputation for delivering quality training which benefits the end user through less down-time in the warehouse operation due to damage as well as significant cost savings in terms of repairs and maintenance. All the courses delivered conform to relevant health and safety legislation ensuring that candidates receive up to date knowledge on how the training relates to their own and their company’s duties under the specific regulations. Courses cover duties under the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 as well as EN15635 European standards, which is specific to the warehousing and storage industry.
Rack Training also deliver the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course which is an accredited QCF qualification and can be delivered as part of the training packages on offer: again including new staff inductions. In terms of industry recognition Already being a CIEH approved training provider, they are now looking at adding health and safety courses to their portfolio as well as the working safely and managing safely courses through the Institute of Occupation Safety and Health (IOSH).
This expansion will see Rack Training being able to offer a cost-effective, tailor made health and safety solution to their clients, making warehouse and logistics staff work smarter and work safer. If you find racking damage is a problem on your site, why not contact Rack Training Ltd and look at the benefits of training your staff. We would be happy to discuss any training needs you have as well as work with you to develop bespoke training courses to suit your sites specific needs.
Rack Training Ltd
Tel: 01226 784488
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