First this month is a question about replacing frame bracing where narrow aisle racking is currently in use, then, we ask if longspan racking is liable to the same inspection criteria as pallet racking.
To offload or not
Q. I am currently replacing frame bracing on a site which uses narrow aisle racking and have requested the customer offload the stock so I can replace the damage bracing without the risk of rack collapse, something the customer is unwilling to do due to time and costs. I have checked with the Sema Guide to method statement for the installation of storage equipment which states on page 2.17 to unload the damaged frame where necessary.
Can you please explain why it says necessary, and not mandatory?
A. Bracing is there for the purpose of stabilising the upright and carrying axial loads, the magnitude of which is not clear at the time that you remove the damaged bracing to replace it without a detailed calculation in each case by a qualified structural engineer. The result of removal could be an upright collapse and quite frankly most of us would not wish to be working in an area where this might happen notwithstanding the customer’s preoccupation with time and cost!
If something were to happen when you as the ‘expert installer’ were removing load carrying members from a loaded structure knowing you were not supposed to do so, then you would get little sympathy from the client who would say that he hired you for your expertise. Rack suppliers etc., would refer to the SEMA guidelines and even Health and Safety Executive Officials would refer to HSG 76 (free download from HSE web site) which states exactly the same thing!
The client would also be the first to complain if there was a collapse that put his warehouse out of operation for several days. He would also be in the frame himself as he shares the responsibility of ensuring that contractors working on his site are doing so safely.
The thing to remember here is, it is your health and safety involved not the clients!
Longspan and the need to inspect
Q. We have carried out a racking inspection for a customer who has 6 bays of pallet racking , loaded with a forklift and 8 bays of longspan. We have found damage on his longspan including missing safety pins and no weight loadings. A company who inspected this racking previously had said he need only have the pallet racking inspected as it was bolted to the floor and loaded by a forklift truck, as the longspan wasn’t it didn’t need inspecting.
The customer is asking what the legal requirement is for the racking?
A. The legal requirement for work equipment (including storage equipment) is established primarily under PUWER although other Health and Safety legislation is also relevant. In summary the legal requirement is that the employer provides, and maintains, work equipment is good working order; you should refer to the regulation itself to get the exact requirement.
PUWER does mention some specific pieces of work equipment and there are further regulations with respect to particular pieces of equipment like LOLER and forklift trucks, but as far as we are aware, PUWER does not make a specific reference to racking. Whether or not the racking is loaded by a forklift truck or bolted to the floor is irrelevant as the requirement (to provide and maintain) relates to ALL work equipment. Arguably there is a higher risk associated with pallet racking and forklift truck operations but that does not obviate the need to look after all work equipment.
Paragraph 633 of the HSE publication HSG76 gives the following recommendations
All racking systems should be of good mechanical construction, of sound material, adequate strength and installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The maximum safe working load and design configuration for any racking installation should be conspicuously displayed (see paragraph 634).
Paragraph 634 essentially refers to the SEMA Load notice code http://www.sema.org.uk/guides.asp.
You mention that beam locking pins are not fitted on the longspan shelving. If the longspan is manually loaded and being used as shelving then it does not necessarily require beam locks – as it is shelving not pallet racking. If the longspan is being loaded by forklift truck then it is being used as racking and must be floor fixed and have beam locks fitted.
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