SEMA’s President Matt Grierson reviews the association’s achievements in 2015 and looks forward to 2016 in its continued mission to put zero harm at the heart of the storage industry.
SEMA was established as far back as 1968.
So for almost half a century, the association has acted as a beacon in terms of best practice; and much of its work is regarded as exemplary. 2015 has been another landmark year and, by means of illustration, our Code of Practice for the Design and Use of Racking Protection is recognised as the most comprehensive in Europe.
The importance of talking directly to end users as to how safety pays for itself has been a key initiative with a Three Steps to Safety campaign; the importance of safe storage design, safe installation and post installation inspection and safe maintenance routines, has been widely aired, especially on the front covers of Warehouse & Logistics News.
Last April’s new CDM regulations are causing some end-user consternation as clients are now regarded as the head of the procurement chain and the major influence on project standards and culture. A project is deemed to be more than a construction site. To keep its own members up to speed, SEMA organised a CDM presentation from Tony Mitchell, an HSE Principal Inspector at its first SEMA Group Combined Meeting in September.
SEMA’s two annual events; the SEMA Standards Seminar and the SEMA Safety Conference and Exhibition enjoyed record attendance and included presentations from statutory authorities, SEMA’s own technical committee and visiting speakers.
The updated SEMA Cantilever Code of Practice has been published and a new cantilever module to the SARI qualification (SEMA’s approved rack inspectors) has been launched. SEMA’s also working on new proposed installation guidelines for APR and pallet safety gates on mezzanines.
SEMA is also supporting end users with a rack maintenance course which covers the difference between maintenance and repair, the skills required to replace racking components and how to replace them. It also covers hazard and risk assessments and relevant legislation. A rack safety awareness course looks in-depth at the need for rack inspections, conducting assessments and follow-on procedures.
Members of all SEMA groups are well integrated, getting the message out there that by specifying SEMA, a buyer can be confident that safe efficient storage comes as standard. The SEMA group members’ logos have been updated. Visit sema.org.uk in early 2016, as a fresh new website with improved architecture and navigation will offer greater accessibility to essential information. A best practice video focussing on SEMA Approved Installation Companies (SAICs) will also go live in early 2016.
2015 is the first year that SEMA Distributor Companies have all been able to prove their capabilities by displaying their Audit Certificate. Unsurprisingly, there’s been a growth in membership from similar quality firms recognising value in membership.
SEMA and SEIRS courses enjoy both CSCS and RoSPA approval and there’s recognition that SEIRS is the only industry based training programme which makes refresher courses mandatory. There’s a new SEIRS course on shelving to service the growth in e-commerce. SEMA’s latest ToolBox talk is on Hard Hats and these site briefings now number 40+.
SEMA Events in 2016
SEMA Standards & Regulations Seminar on Wednesday 8th June
SEMA Safety Conference & Exhibition on Wednesday 3rd November
SEMA Membership Numbers
SEMA – 14 (Full 9, Associate 2, Affiliate 3)
SEMA Approved Installation Companies – 12
SEMA Distributor Companies – 30
SEMA Approved Rack Inspectors – 93
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