Safe installation guaranteed by SEMA standards

Safe storage follows a three step process; safe design; safe installation and safe maintenance. As part of SEMA’s Three Steps to Safety campaign, the association’s President Matt Grierson outlines how to choose the right suppliers at Step 2: the installation stage.

Finding a racking design and installation company that places health and safety at the heart of their business is no longer a lottery. SEMA has three relevant, membership groups where products and services are quality assured; SEMA distributor companies, SEMA approved installation companies and an installers’ registration scheme, SEIRS.

SEMA Distributor Companies

There are 30 SEMA Distributor Group (SDG) members who are independently audited on no fewer than 25 quality measures to retain their membership status. Every member that supplies you with a storage system has passed the audit and can prove that their products and services meet the SEMA QA standard by displaying a current certificate for 2015. By demonstrating compliance, members use the SDC logo as a means of promotion. A short video on the benefits of using a QA assured distributor can be found at sema.org.uk/sdg.

SEMA Approved Installation Companies

SAIC companies manage storage installation projects. Also rigorously audited by SEMA and issued with a certificate, they must be committed to best practice, recognised industry standards and safe ways of working. SAICs must have all their installers (including subcontract labour) SEIRS registered and must also have an appropriate number of installers who are qualified to SEIRS supervisory level. Again, audited members are allowed to use the SAIC logo.

SEIRS

SEIRS is the Storage Equipment Installers’ Registration Scheme for individual installers. Today, there are over 4000 trained and qualified installers who carry a SEIRS ID card. SEIRS is the ONLY industry specific scheme where training must be refreshed every three years. We insist that all CSCS card holders installing storage equipment have current SEIRS qualifications.

The following checklist is a sure fire way of checking on a storage firm’s credentials on health and safety, use of trained labour and correct storage design.

Below are the nasty questions to ask before signing on the dotted line:

SEMA at a glance

Every single storage customer can benefit from SEMA’s services as the association’s influence is far-reaching. We have almost 60 members, 88 qualified racking inspectors and over 4,000 qualified installers. We run circa 100 training courses per annum, some in-house for customers, and we are about to add a cantilever module to our SARI qualification later this year. We have developed over 60 publications comprising codes of practice, best practice guides, tool box talks for site supervisors and European materials. We stage an annual health and safety conference plus a standards seminar.

Since the Storage Equipment Manufacturers’ Association was set up as our industry’s lead body almost 50 years ago, our mandate has been to improve safety in the storage industry. We work cohesively with the HSE and other statutory bodies to establish and continually improve safe working practices. Our courses are approved by RoSPA and the CSCS.

The rigorous standards set for each group dovetail neatly into a comprehensive package to help you maximise your building’s space to profitable advantage. This is achieved through the design and installation of storage systems that are fit for purpose while preventing damage to items stored; and with the utmost respect for the health and safety of personnel.

SEMA

SEMA’s WLN series will cover Step 3 – Safe Repair & Maintenance on 15th June.

Tel: 0121 601 6359

sema.org.uk