It’s a fact that most warehouse companies rely on racking to run successfully. But, if that racking isn’t designed, installed or maintained to the highest standards, it quickly becomes a problem. Stock is damaged, reduce productivity and risking employee safety. Not only can this become costly, but if an accident occurs a visit from the HSE can potentially resulting in hefty fines.
President at SEMA
But here’s the thing, issues with your racking are preventable if you follow the correct steps. For over 50 years, SEMA has developed industry standards, guidance, training and benchmark schemes that are designed to support the quality and safety of your racking.
This year, we’ve taken our expertise and looked at how we can support warehouse owners and managers in keeping their racking safe.
Stay Racking Safe Guide
To help warehouse owners and managers navigate the racking process, this year we launched the ‘Stay Racking Safe’ guide. Free to download, this guide outlines the five practical areas to follow over the lifetime of your equipment. This includes what to look for in a supplier, checking a racking installation is safe, correct loading practices, what training your employees need or racking maintenance and inspection processes.
New SARI training course
Inspections are critical in racking safety. Alongside running our Rack Safety Awareness courses, which train employees on the role of Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS) and conducting Visual Inspections, we also run the SARI initiative. SARI trains inspectors on conducting Expert Inspections that meet high industry standards. This gives warehouse owners confidence that their inspector has a high level of inspection knowledge and engineering expertise.
To improve standards, we’ve recently launched an intensive two-part SARI training course. This course now covers areas such as assembly of pallet racking, forklift truck operation, undertaking risk assessments and recording rack damage methodology. Delegates qualify by passing both written exams and a practical assessment.
SARI Verification Tool
There is a growing problem within the industry of inspectors falsely claiming they are SARI qualified. To help warehouse owners and managers check their inspectors’ credentials, we have launched a SARI Verification Tool. Simply visit https://sari.sema.org.uk/, enter the inspector’s name, their SARI ID number, and click verify to confirm their qualification status and ensure the safety of your warehouse.
SEMA in 2026
To support our ‘Stay Racking Safe’ guide, next year we are launching five videos showing how SEMA supports warehouse owners over the lifetime of their racking. They will cover SEMA’s work, racking regulations and standards, how correct storage equipment design impacts your warehouse, training and the inspection process.
SEMA
01543 278489
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