As the industry looks set for yet another record-breaking year, Jaap Vos, president of SEMA, reviews the association’s work in 2021 and how they are raising standards in the warehouse.
President at SEMA
With the recent surge in online sales driven by the pandemic and logistics difficulties resulting from Brexit, the demand for warehouse space has hit an all-time high. Every space is now being utilised from small bespoke units all the way through to large scale mega-sheds for mass distribution channels. This increased pressure on the industry raises the importance of adopting safe storage best practice.
A focus on training
For over 50 years’ SEMA has been committed to promoting and extending the safe design, installation and use of storage equipment manufactured, supplied and installed by our members. Improving standards, self-regulating our industry and introducing training initiatives has always been central to this ethos.
Training is central to achieving safe and best practice within the workplace and this year we have made a number of changes to support the needs of our industry. In April we opened the doors to our purpose-built training facility at Burntwood in Staffordshire. The new centre enables us to run our popular training courses under one roof; from training installers to ensure they meet SEMA Codes of Practice to courses on rack awareness for employees and qualifications for SEMA Approved Racking Inspectors.
NEW Storage Equipment Installers Registration Scheme (SEIRS) Training
Next year we launch the new SEIRS Diploma which ensures installers not only meet HSE standards, but significantly the course will also include practical instruction on installing storage equipment.
The SEIRS scheme from SEMA addresses the Health & Safety requirements of installers at the point of installation by providing a storage industry ‘safety passport’. As pressures on the storage sector change, we recognised the need to adapt our training. SEIRS training will now be delivered in two parts. Installers new to the industry will attend the Foundation Course – Part 1, whereas existing installers who already hold an in-date SEIRS card will attend the Diploma Course – Part 2.
Foundation Course – Part 1
Part 1 is a classroom-based introduction to SEIRS which addresses Health and Safety issues likely to affect installers on site and also the practical use of safety harnesses. There are no pre-qualification requirements for delegates unless an installer requires a SEIRS CSCS card. In this case they will need to pass the CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test conducted by the CITB. After successfully completing Part 1 the installer will receive a SEIRS trainee card which is valid for 6 months.
SEIRS Diploma – Part 2
Part 2 is a two-day intensive course which completes the Diploma qualification. Before the course installers must pass either the CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test or hold a Mobile Elevated Work Platform MEWPS 3A and 3B operator certificate.
Day one combines a mixture of classroom-based theory as well as a significant practical element which instructs delegates on how to safely and correctly install and dismantle storage equipment. Day two will require the installer, as part of a small team, to erect and dismantle the storage equipment using mechanically assisted build methods. Delegates will be assessed throughout day two of the course and on passing receive a diploma and full SEIRS card which is valid for three years.
After three years the SEIRS card can be renewed by successfully completing a General Refresher course or one of the SEMA higher-level courses.
For more information or to book contact SEMA on 01543 278489 or visit www.sema.org.uk
SEMA
01543 278489
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