Like many warehouse managers who’ve been in touch with SEMA, you might wonder whether it’s possible to repair your own racking. After all, you have your own maintenance team.
The short answer is no: not without the right racking-specific competence.
That’s for the very simple reason that racking is a precisely engineered structure. It only takes an unqualified person to carry out a ‘quick fix’ or a repair that ‘looks fine on the surface’ to create a structure at high risk of failing. And when something does go wrong, under the requirements of PUWER (which includes racking), your actions would be investigated resulting in hefty fines or worse.
What happens when damage is found?
With any racking system, you need a process in place to identify and report the damage and then correctly repair the structure.
As your warehouse team go about their day-to-day work, they should immediately report if they damage the racking. You then need to train employees to take on the role of Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS). They will conduct regular racking Visual Inspections and ensure reported damage is dealt with appropriately.
At least once a year, you will need an Expert Inspection carried out by a qualified professional. Be aware, to ensure you are racking compliant, warehouse owners and senior management teams are responsible for verifying the credentials of the inspector. One way to ensure you are protected is by using a SEMA Approved Racking Inspector (SARI) which is referenced in HSG76. Their inspection is a detailed examination of the racking to identify whether structural damage is present, check equipment compatibility and racking suitability.
Any damage that is identified needs classifying correctly. The Visual and Expert Inspection should use a colour-coded method which provides a timeframe for repairs:
- Green: damage is within acceptable limits but should be monitored.
- Amber: the racking should be offloaded within 4 weeks and not reloaded. Damage should be repaired within 4 weeks otherwise it will turn to Red.
- Red: immediately offload, if it safe to do so, or isolate the racking.
Who can repair the damage?
Racking repairs should only be carried out by an installer who has the racking-specific knowledge and skills, and has been trained on the industry standards.
The racking installer must:
- Know how to conduct racking installations and repairs that meet industry standards
- Only repair or replace damaged parts using Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) components or manufacturer approved alternatives
- Only carry out repairs approved by the system manufacturer
- Understand permissible repairs that are in line with SEMA standards. For example, SEMA advises against uncertified welding modifications
- Work in line with recognised health and safety and installation standards
- Have a racking installation qualification
To meet this high level of standard requires a racking installer who has been trained on correct industry standards, installation methods and then assessed on the quality of their work. One way to ensure they meet this standard is by checking they have received a recognised installer qualification such as SEIRS.
Can I send my employees on the SEIRS course?
So, what is SEIRS?
SEIRS is an intensive two-stage training programme that instructs on correct industry installation standards, general and racking specific health and safety requirements and how to install storage equipment. Most importantly, installers will be assessed to check they meet the required standard of work required before earning their qualification.
Anyone can attend, but due to the level of detail required in repair work, SEMA only recommends sending employees who will install and repair racking on a daily basis.
Racking repairs should never be taken lightly. Get it wrong and not only do you risk racking that is not compliant but most importantly the safety of your team on the warehouse floor.
To help warehouse management and health and safety teams navigate their racking, we have created our FREE Stay Racking Safe guide www.bit.ly/SRSGuideDownload
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