In the fast moving world of logistics time is money. If equipment within the warehouse doesn’t work, it can become a costly exercise, and this includes your racking.
Companies are increasingly aware of the importance in implementing equipment that has been designed, manufactured and supplied to the highest industry standards. Besides the crucial element of creating a safe working environment, they understand that racking will also deliver the best return on investment through increased processing speeds and improved longevity.
However, the same attitude is not always applied at the installation stage.
When racking is supplied by SEMA manufacturers and distributor companies, the design will come with critical installation information. For example, the number and type of floor fixings and how they should be positioned and tightened to meet manufacturers’ tolerances.
If your installers aren’t working to the specified criteria, it can impact your warehouse on multiple levels. Firstly, the integrity of your equipment may be affected which results in it not meeting its expected lifespan. Secondly, it could leave you at risk of failing to meet regulations. The HSE guidelines for warehouse safety state, “Racking should only be installed by competent people”. It is your responsibility to check.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, safety. Don’t underestimate the critical job your storage equipment plays in safely holding tonnes of product above your employees’ heads. Installing racking is a highly skilled job and the approach requires a significant level of both practical and technical knowledge at each intricate stage to deliver on maximum safety.
Installation shouldn’t be an area left to chance; it should be given due recognition as the most important aspect in completing the cycle of investment. Continuous training plays a critical role in delivering on this. After all, even installers with years of experience can pick up unsafe habits.
That is why we operate our SEIRS initiative, a national registration scheme that rigorously trains installers on correct installation methods in accordance with SEMA standards. It is also recognised by the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) as it meets Construction Leadership Council (CLC) criteria for their Partner Card Scheme. Importantly, to maintain their credentials installers must attend a refresher training course every 3 years. This ensures they refresh their knowledge with the latest safety procedures and legislation.
We’ve had plenty of installers attend our SEIRS courses who have worked on racking installations for 20 or more years who still come away with new knowledge and skills.
Next time you’re looking for an installer check whether they are SEIRS registered! If you’d like to know more contact SEMA by emailing enquiry@sema.org.uk or visit sema.org.uk
Matt Grierson
President, SEMA
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