Today’s warehouses are busier than ever. Since 2010, the UK warehouse workforce has tripled, rising from 81,000 to 284,000 in 2023, while at the same time units over 1 million sq ft have risen by 345%. Naturally, this level of expansion brings about constant forklift traffic, automation and round-the-clock operations. In turn this increases the chance of racking damage – whether it’s accidental impact, overloading or simple human error.
While you can’t always avoid racking damage, you can take charge of what happens next.
Teepee explains why choosing the right racking specialist is critical to avoiding costly mistakes, risking employee safety and operational headaches.
The dangers of substandard repairs
Racking repairs are not to be taken lightly. Get it wrong and you greatly impact on your racking’s structural stability. A racking failure or collapse results in downtime, damaged stock, lost revenue and risks the safety of your employees.
That’s why you need to be sure that your racking repair company is following industry standards and not taking quick fixes which are not industry approved.
To check if your supplier is following industry best practice, ensure they adhere to the guidance of the Storage Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (SEMA) – the sector’s leading voice on safety and compliance. They have produced a series of Technical Bulletins on racking repairs which emphasises that damaged components should only ever be replaced with parts approved by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or supplier. Their Technical Bulletins also advise that certain repair actions are not permitted. For example, welding should never be used to correct bent materials while straightening operations or replacing damaged sections should only be carried out by providers authorised by the OEM.
What to look for in a racking repair provider
With so much at stake, it’s vital to turn to the correct partner when faults are identified. When engaging with qualified and SEMA-affiliated racking suppliers like Teepee, there are key benefits that ensure installations remain structurally sound, continue their intended return on investment and, importantly, keep everyone safe.
•Affiliation and accreditations – is the company approved by authoritative bodies such as SEMA, providing assurance their work meets industry safety and quality standards?
•Cost effective repairs – does the repair company have framework agreements with leading suppliers and can they offer discounted racking repairs that don’t compromise on quality?
•Approved repairs – are the company’s repairs authorised by the manufacturer? For example, SEMA Approved Members are permitted to undertake repair work on racking structures supplied by a SEMA
Manufacturer. If the company hasn’t been authorised it could render your racking warranty and carrying capacity void.
•Liability – if the repair work isn’t approved by the OEM, check the repair company accepts liability for the work and structural integrity of the racking. If not, as the warehouse owner or manager, you would bear the full responsibility for any subsequent incidents.
•Certified repairs – has the company provided you with a completion certificate which validates the work meets industry standards and manufacturer’s instructions?
The role of regular inspections
When it comes to your racking, saving costs by reducing the risk of damage is a much better option. That is why the HSE and SEMA recommend regular racking inspections which identify areas of concern and degradation.
The process begins with team members completing a Rack Safety Awareness Course which instructs on working safely around racking and how to recognise damage. Next appoint a supervisor or manager as the Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS) whose job it is to maintain accurate records and oversee any necessary repair work. Additionally, at least once a year a qualified professional, such as a SEMA Approved Racking Inspector (SARI be appointed to conduct your Expert Inspection.
If you need help with racking repairs, training your team to undertake inspections or need to book an Expert Inspection with one of our SARIs get in touch and see how we can help.
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