When you install racking and shelving systems in your warehouse, you invest time and money getting a tailored solution that enhances your operations. It therefore makes sense to put the same amount of effort into delivering a continuous inspection process.
Here at Teepee, it’s not uncommon for us to arrive at an Expert Inspection and find weekly checks aren’t conducted or repair recommendations ignored. While this might not seem important, it does put your business at risk!
Here’s the thing, to ensure you meet your legal requirements, you need to tick every box on your inspection checklist. Here are some of the things you might be missing.
Your inspection requirements?
First, check you’re meeting your racking inspection requirements. HSG76 Warehouse and Storage: A Guide to Health and Safety from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) covers key stages over the lifetime of your racking.
The guide recommends:
- Appointing a PRRS (Person Responsible for Racking Safety) who will be responsible for racking safety in the warehouse. They are normally a warehouse, facilities or health and safety manager.
- Sending your PRRS and team supervisors on a ‘Rack Safety Awareness’ course.
- Appointing a qualified professional to undertake your annual ‘Expert’ inspection.
What is the role of a PRRS?
A PRRS plays a key role in upholding safety standards – both in your warehouse and with your racking and shelving systems. They will need the skills necessary to categorise different damage levels – from trivial to serious – or delegate this task to a competent person who has been on a Rack Safety Awareness course.
This person is responsible for maintaining rack inspection and maintenance records, analysing damage data, identifying where regular occurrences happen and then propose and implement required actions. Importantly, they need the authority to implement immediate action where necessary and ensure any repairs are carried out.
What is a Rack Safety Awareness Course?
A rack safety awareness course is a training program aimed at team leaders, supervisors and managers on the safe use, inspection and maintenance of storage equipment such as pallet racking, cantilever racking, shelving used in warehouse or industrial environments. The course should provide delegates with skills such as identifying and record damage, legal requirements, key racking components and the importance of load notices.
What is an Expert Inspection?
An expert inspection is carried out by a technically qualified individual who holds a recognised industry certification, such as the SEMA Approved Racking Inspector (SARI) qualification. This person not only identifies damage but also provides guidance and comments on other warehouse activities such as condition of equipment, racking suitability, review load notices, housekeeping, general safety and recommendations.
Remember, react to issues!
If you’ve got a solid inspection process in place, that’s a great start but, as the warehouse owner or manager, this isn’t the end of your inspection responsibilities.
To meet your legal requirements, you must check:
- You have a PRRS in place
- Visual Inspections are carried out at correct intervals and that formal reports are logged
- You have enough staff training to cover holidays or long-term absences – remember this is a legal requirement
- Staff training certificates are valid
- You have booked your expert inspection
- Any repairs have been carried out – failure to complete the work within the timeframe stated on the inspection report could leave you legally exposed
Need help, why not get in touch with Teepee? Whether you’re looking to conduct your Expert Inspection, training for your team, or advice on racking repairs, we have a customer service package that can help your business.
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