Do you know the Industry Guidelines to ensure pallet racking safety?

As one of the key systems for storage of goods in modern warehouses, pallet racking, (in any of its forms) needs to be utilised as safely and effectively as possible.

One organisation that aims to achieve ­excellence and the highest possible standards is SEMA, the British Trade Association of the Storage Equipment Industry. In their own words, they are “An organisation committed to promoting and extending the safe design, installation, and use of storage equipment manufactured and supplied by its members.”

You may wonder why warehouse or storage needs to be regulated.

Without a body to monitor and issue guidelines for the use, building, and maintenance of racking systems, the potential amount of accidents and loss of earnings would be astronomical. Unscrupulous racking suppliers would have no qualms offering sub-standard racks as brand new.

With the broad spectrum of activities carried out in an average warehouse, it is vital for safety purposes, that there are guidelines in place to check practices in the industry.

As many warehouses use palletised racking systems for storage, we will examine SEMA’s checklist for ensuring pallet rack safety in your warehouse.

Their initial requirements to aid the minimisation of damage include:

• Appointing an individual as the PRRS.

This can often be the person responsible for racking safety. The PRRS ensures all racking used is inspected and maintained in line with any existing guidelines and regulations.

• Ensuring comprehensive operator training.

All personnel must be trained in the correct use of the storage equipment.

• Providing proper racking protection.

  All racks must be protected with end frame protectors, column guards and barriers. Adequate risk assessment must also be carried out to ensure that the appropriate level of protection is used; attempting to go overboard on this can lead to further damage.

A 3-level inspection plan must be carried out regularly. The levels are:

1. A daily damage inspection by trained warehouse operatives.
2. A weekly visual inspection, with written records maintained and submitted to the PRRS.
3. A bi-annual inspection by a trained specialist from the rack supplier or an independent rack inspector.

• Ongoing Maintenance.

Any damaged component should be immediately reported and removed, (not by the prop and cut method) and quickly replaced by trained staff.

In conjunction with SEMA guidelines of operation and maintenance, warehouse managers should take tips from the HSE 76 handbook.

Some of their tips for minimising any damage to racking materials include:

• The initial installation MUST be on a flat, level floor, and carried out by trained people, preferably those who have completed the SEIRS, (Storage Equipment Installers Registration Scheme).

• In a case where the racking is to be secured to the building, only the columns that have been proven, by calculations, to be able to bear the weight, can be used.

• All racking should have a clear notice securely fixed to it, stating the maximum load that it can carry.

• Strict adherence of the use of a particular pallet size in a particular racking system. Where mixed racking systems are used in one warehouse, careful attention must be paid to the pallets and how they are used.

These are some of the industry guidelines that largely help keep warehouses accident free. Whilst there are still cases where human error creeps in, being mindful of these guidelines goes a long way.

Monarch Shelving is one of the largest suppliers of shelving and racking in the Greater Manchester area.

With regular deliveries to every part of England, we can supply you with high quality used and new racking and shelving, whilst also helping with your pallet racking safety.