The first question we have for this month asks for advice on Statutory Racking Inspection. Our second question involves expansion joints in concrete and would like to know if there are any causes of shrinkage cracks.
Statutory Standard for Inspection
Q. Could you please advise if there is a statutory standard for inspection for racking that includes the inspection intervals?
A. As far as we are aware there is no statutory standard for the inspection of racking, however, particular high risk industry sectors may have specific regulations. Racking is normally considered to be Work Equipment and so is normally covered by the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) or Workplace, Health Safety and Welfare regulations.
Recommendation for the inspection of pallet racking are available in
• SEMA Users code, which is available at: www.sema.org.uk/codes-of-practice/code-ofpractice- for-end-users-of-apr
• EN15635
• HSG76 published by the Health and Safety Executive (available as a free download from the HSE website)
These give similar recommendations which are summarised below;
• Immediate reporting by warehouse staff as part of their normal duties
• Weekly (or other regular interval) inspection by a nominated person with a written record being maintained
• Annual ‘Expert’ inspection. Below is an extract from HSG76 Racking inspection and maintenance
641 In general, racking is manufactured from relatively lightweight materials and, as a consequence, there is a limit to the amount of abuse that it can withstand. The skill of lift truck operators has a great bearing on the amount of damage likely to be caused. Any damage to racking will reduce its load carrying capacity. The greater the damage the less its strength will be.
642 To ensure that a racking installation continues to be serviceable and safe, the storage equipment should be inspected on a regular basis. The frequency of inspections depends on a variety of factors that are particular to the site concerned and should be determined by a nominated ‘person responsible for racking safety’ (PRRS) to suit the operating conditions of the warehouse. This will take into account the frequency and method of operation together with the dimensions of the warehouse, the equipment used and personnel involved, all of which could damage the structure.
The inspection follows a hierarchical approach using several levels of inspection. Immediate reporting
643 As soon as a safety problem or damage is observed by any employee, it should immediately be reported to the PRRS. You should have systems in place for reporting damage and defects.
644 Employees should receive training, information and instruction on the safe operation of the racking system, including the parts affecting their safety and the safety of others.
Visual inspections
645 The PRRS should ensure that inspections are made at weekly or other regular intervals based on risk assessment. A formal written record should be maintained.
‘Expert’ inspections
646 A technically competent person should carry out inspections at intervals of not more than 12 months. A written report should be submitted to the PRRS with observations and proposals for any action necessary.
647 A technically competent person might be a trained specialist within an organisation, a specialist from the rack supplier, or an independent qualified rack inspector.
648 A programme of rack awareness training is run regularly by SEMA to address the issue of visual inspection and a more formal course is run to qualify expert inspectors under the SARI (SEMA approved rack inspector) scheme.
HSG 76 is not a statutory requirement however failure to comply with it would require some serious justification in the event of an accident!
SEMA has a scheme for the registration and qualification of rack inspectors called SARI (SEMA Approved Rack Inspector) and SARI’s can be considered to satisfy the requirements for the ‘Expert’ inspection.
www.sema.org.uk/members/ sema-approved-inspectors Expansion Joints in Concrete
Q. I would like to know the view from SEMA in regards to expansion joints in concrete. My view has always been that racking can be built over it without issue except from when a base plate lands directly on one, in which case can only be fixed one side.
Reason I ask is because a client’s agent has picked up on an installation that runs over a joint (150mm away from one side and 2500mm from the other side), and is saying categorically that this will cause shrinkage cracks. It would be useful to know the thoughts of the technical committee?
A. I do not believe that SEMA has ever published any specific guidance on the subject so I cannot advise an “official” SEMA position.
There are a number of limitations with respect to the proximity of a floor anchor to a joint
1. Structural slab limitations
2. Anchor bolt limitations
Concrete floors
After a concrete floor is laid the concrete will dry out and shrink – this shrinkage cannot be prevented.
The slab designer will provide joints in the slab to cater for this shrinkage. It is common for these joints to be called “expansion” joints (although they are actually to permit the slab to contract). Most of the drying out process will take place in the first few months after construction and will progressively reduce over time. The amount of slab shrinkage is difficult to predict.
Slab limitations
The structural strength (point load capacity) of a concrete floor reduces with proximity to a joint. The exact detail depends upon the particular slab and will be defined by the slab designer. It is not uncommon for the slab designer to require that uprights are not placed within about 200mm of a joint although this will vary from job to job.
Anchor bolts
Rack anchor bolts are typically expansion sleeve bolts. The bolt manufacturers will specify the minimum distance from a joint at which the anchor can be used – the precise value varies between anchor bolt manufacturers but is typically in the region of 100-150mm or so.
SEMA has a code of practice on load notices www.sema.org.uk/ page.asp?node=2 which gives recommendation on the information that should be on a load notice.
The HSE publication HSG76 also gives some guidance www.hse.gov.uk/ pubns/books/hsg76.htm.
SEMA Annual Safety Conference 2016 – a date for your diary The 2016 SEMA Safety Conference has been scheduled for Thursday, 3 November; at the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull. For full details contact SEMA at enquiry@sema.org.uk SEMA Rack Safety Awareness and Inspection Courses
SEMA runs a one-day safety course on Rack Safety Awareness and Inspection. These courses are aimed at end users, giving an indepth look at the need for inspections, how to conduct an assessment and what actions to take when this is completed. SEMA Approved Rack Inspectors Qualification Aimed at professionals who conduct rack surveys as an integral and significant part of their duties.
It involves delegates in undertaking an in-depth SEMA Course, together with an examination and practical assessment. CPD will be an important part of the qualification, demonstrating to end users that SEMA Approved Inspectors maintain a high professional standard.
SEMA Publications
SEMA has 26 publications in stock – Codes of Practice, ‘Guides’ and European documents.
SEMA USERS Club
SEMA runs a USERS Club designed to be of benefit to purchasers and users of storage equipment. Members receive newsletters, access to specialised events and discounted rates on publications and codes of practice.
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