Racking inspection legislation is something that many find difficult to understand. As a result, there are some very common violations. Although it is not okay, it is surprisingly too common for these violations to occur. Many businesses which tend to run smoothly and efficiently can end up committing a racking inspection violation. This is not through negligence but through basic ignorance. So, what can be done to avoid these mistakes and what are the most common violations?
Understanding Racking Inspection Legislation
Racking legislation violations depend on the idea that a law relating to racking inspection was violated. In truth, however, what most people consider to be racking inspection law is actually a simple recommendation.
These recommendations are backed up by HSE, SEMA and the EU. These recommendations are also echoed in the CDM Regulations 2015, which is a law. However, the only enforced piece of racking inspection legislation in the UK comes in the form of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998.
Both sections five and six of this document outline the requirement for work equipment inspections after a system has been installed. It must also be inspected if the system has been damaged or changes in any way, as well as at “suitable intervals”. Although the legislation is vague, it forms the backbone of all the recommendations, HSE, SEMA and the EU make.
Performing “Inspections” without a Process
If there is no proper framework, then it is not a real racking inspection. If you do not know what it is that you are looking for, then there is no point in staring at a pallet rack with the intent of finding something. As such, it should not be shocking that a kind of ad hoc process such as this would not stand up in a court of law as an inspection. We can use the tragic case of Ciaran Williamson as an example.
Williamson was crushed to death by a headstone which fell onto him. When probed about safety inspections, the council stated that the gravestones had been checked. However, HSE argued that the councils “ad hoc inspections” did not classify as proper inspections as there was no system in place.
We can apply this logic to racking inspection legislation. Say your racking inspection system does not include some form of racking inspection checklist or is not backed up by racking inspection training. How do you staff know what it is that they are supposed to be looking for? How can you tell what they have looked for? Also, what actions would be taken if any issues were to be found?
According to section five of PUWER 1998, a log for maintenance inspections is required. This is expanded upon in HSE’s HSG76 and the EU’s EN 15635. Both recommend you use a traffic light system to keep track of racking inspections. If the light is green, it is fine. If amber, it is damaged enough that it needs to be offloaded and repaired within the next four weeks. A red light means that the system is damaged to the point where it must be offloaded and repaired immediately.
Misunderstanding “Once every 12 Months”
It is more common to come across a business which has never had a racking inspection than you may think. Either there is no system in place, the system is not being followed as is should, or the business did not completely understand their duties. Businesses with a simple understanding of racking inspection often might insist on an inspection now and then.
HSE’s recommendation, however, is that there should be an inspection once every 12 months. This is a good rule to follow as it helps to provide a definitive answer to what a “suitable interval” is according to PUWER 1998. However, this is not the same as once a year. Once every twelve months is a stricter timeframe than at any point in one year than any point during the next.
Ignoring “Exceptional Circumstances”
Though it may seem that “once every 12 months” and “at suitable intervals” may be easy enough to follow, many have made the mistake of ignoring the caveat in PUWER 1998. This caveat states that work equipment should also be inspected if “exceptional circumstances which are liable to jeopardise the safety of the work equipment have occurred”. In other words, has your racking system changed in any way that could make it less safe? If you are unsure, a racking inspection is best. You do not want to risk the system to be liable.
Talk to Monarch Shelving Ltd
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