12

Sep

Racking Inspection Checklist! How To Meet Warehouse Requirements

You invest a lot of time and effort into getting the ideal storage solution for your warehouse, but installing your racking and shelving systems is only the beginning. To remain legally compliant you must follow a warehouse racking inspection checklist, one that aligns with HSE and SEMA standards.

We look at how you can meet your racking legal requirements, run through the inspection process and provide you with your own racking inspection checklist.

What are your warehouse racking Health & Safety Executive (HSE) requirements?

Before we go into your inspection requirements, we first need to discuss regulations that relate to your warehouse and racking. As standard for most businesses, there is several HSE guidance which relate to the warehouse. These include best practice actions for manual handling, working at height and work equipment.

While following this guidance will create a safe working environment, there are additional documents which relate specifically to the warehouse and storage equipment. The first is HSG76 Warehouse and Storage: A Guide to Health and Safety, which covers all stages of the racking’s lifespan. It emphasises the warehouse owner’s responsibilities to ensure best practice and outlines general preventative steps to avoid risk and hazards. There is also a significant section relating to the safe design, installation and maintenance of storage equipment systems.

The next place to look is the Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA). They are a leading voice within the storage industry and, as part of their work, they have developed SEMA Codes of Practice, guidance notes and initiatives related to racking and shelving structures.

As the warehouse owner or manager, you need to be aware of your responsibility to follow the guidance found in HSG76 and SEMA Codes of Practice. While it is not a legal requirement to follow either of these, if there was a bad accident in your warehouse and the HSE investigates, you could be liable. If they take enforcement action, they will use these documents as a framework to potentially build a case against your business.

Pallet racking by Teepee Materials Handling: Ecommerce warehouse storage solutions specialists

How often should warehouse racking be inspected?

Here at Teepee, it’s not uncommon for us to arrive at an Expert Inspection and find weekly checks aren’t being conducted or repair recommendations ignored. While this might not seem important, it puts your business at risk! To find out the expected process for racking inspections, you need to look at HSG76 and SEMA for guidance.

They recommend the following:

  • Step 1: Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PPRS)

    You will need to appoint a PRRS who plays a key role in upholding standards and highlighting safety risks – both in your warehouse environment and with your racking and shelving systems. They will need the skills necessary to categorise different damage levels – from trivial to serious – or delegate this task to a competent person who has been on a Rack Safety Awareness course. They are normally a warehouse, facilities or health and safety manager.

    This person maintains rack inspection and maintenance records, analyses damage data, identifies where regular occurrences happen and implements required action. Importantly, they need the authority to implement immediate action where necessary and ensure any repairs are being carried out.

  • Step 2 – Employees

    Every day, employees are working around your racking, which puts them in the perfect position to spot obvious structural issues. Provide training on how to identify visible damage and instruct on correct reporting methods.

  • Step 3: Visual Inspections

    You will need to train a member of your team to conduct the Visual Inspections and maintain record their findings. This could be your PRRS or another competent employee.

    They will identify damage on the racking, check Load Notices are in place, correct procedures are being followed and write up a formal report on their findings. They will need to attend a training course like our Racking Inspection Training to learn how to inspect the racking. How often you need to conduct this visual inspection will be based on your risk assessment.

  • Step 4 – Expert Inspections

    This is an in-depth warehouse safety inspection of your racking. Only an inspector who has the correct qualifications, such as SEMA Approved Racking Inspectors, can perform one. They will conduct racking and storage assessments while also reporting and recommending how to maintain the safety of your racking.

What are your internal inspection responsibilities as the warehouse owner or manager?

Inspecting racking to uphold employee safety is a continual process and you cannot afford to relax at any point. It is estimated that there are around 700 pallet racking collapses each year. When the HSE comes calling, the penalties can be harsh, costing into the millions. On top of that, you have to manage production downtime, costly repairs and potential loss of your business reputation.

Taking the right steps (as outlined above) isn’t the end of your inspection responsibilities. When we visit warehouses to undertake their Expert Inspection, we often find that the weekly inspections aren’t happening or repair recommendations aren’t being followed through.

Here are the three important internal inspection factors you need to consider for your racking inspection checklist:

  1. Staff training

    While staff training is important, pick your course carefully. When looking for a racking safety course, it’s worth checking that it’s conducted by experts who work within the industry.

    On our Racking Awareness Safety & Inspection Course, we only put our experienced warehouse inspectors at the front of the class! Giving you and your employees the chance to draw on both their knowledge and experience. We deliver our course at your premises. This enables us to combine the classroom-based element of the course with practice in a setting familiar to your team. Our course will look at potential issues that can occur on racking, how to recognise signs of damage and your legal obligations to conduct the inspections.

    Upon completion of the rack safety course, we issue a certificate detailing the date achieved, the expiry date and the name of the facility’s competent PRRS. The certification lasts for three years, after which they need to go on one of our refresher rack inspection courses.

  2. Remember, react to issues!

    Make sure that the person responsible for authorising repair work on your racking is aware of the position of PRRS. Filing their internal inspection report and thinking you’ve ticked the box is not enough!! Anyone responsible for actioning repair work should understand that if the racking needs repairing, they should get a team in to repair the racking system immediately. Any delays in requesting and authorising the repair work are not acceptable. If you ignore damaged components on your racking over a long period, it can quickly result in a bigger issue.

  3. Follow the pallet racking inspection checklist

    While it is very easy to nod your head, safe knowing that you’ve trained your staff and appointed a competent person into the role of PRRS, you cannot simply leave them to get on with the job.

As the warehouse owner or manager, you have a legal responsibility to check the following:

Step

 Description
PRRS Make sure you have a PRRS in place
Staff Training Have you trained your team on how to work safely in areas with racking?

 

Are staff training certificates valid?

Visual Inspections

 Are visual Inspections carried out at correct intervals and are formal reports logged?

 

Do you have enough staff training to cover holidays or long-term absences? Remember this is a legal requirement
Expert Inspections Have you booked your expert inspection?
Maintenance

If damage is found on the racking, are the repairs completed?

Failure to complete the work within the timeframe stated on the inspection report could leave you legally exposed

Racking Repairs

On this last note, remember to take a careful approach to undertaking repair work. If your racking system is still under the manufacturer’s warranty, getting an unauthorised company to conduct the work could render your warranty null and void.

This is where working with Teepee could help. We are a SEMA Approved Member – Advanced and we are part of an association that features some of the leading racking manufacturers working within the UK. As an Approved Member, we are qualified to conduct work on behalf of the SEMA Manufacturers. That means we can undertake remedial work on racking supplied by a SEMA manufacturer and it won’t invalidate your warranty.

If the racking’s outside the manufacturer’s warranty, you can choose any racking system supplier to conduct the repair work. However, you need to check the installers credentials. A lot of racking installers still learn on the job and do not receive correct instruction on approved repair methods. That is why we use installers who have been through the SEIRS programme. This training instructs on correct industry installation methods and ensures their work meets a high standard of quality and safety.

Need Help With Your Pallet Racking Inspection Checklist? Teepee Can Help!

Now that you’ve read our blog, you’ve got no excuse miss any stage on our comprehensive racking inspection checklist. But if you need help at any stage, why not get in touch with Teepee? With over 35 years within the industry, we can offer far more than creating and delivering the perfect storage solution. Once your storage equipment is installed, we offer a long-term customer service package that supports you in the day-to-day running of your warehouse.

Our customer service package includes training for your team to equip them with the knowledge they need to recognise damage on your racking system. Our Racking Inspection training course will also provide one of your team with the information and skills they need to take on the role of PRRS.

We can also conduct your Expert Inspection regardless of who supplied your pallet racking system. Book a warehouse inspection with one of our SEMA Approved Racking Inspectors (SARI). We’ll make sure you never forget your next professional inspection and ensure you meet SEMA and HSE recommendations. Two to three months prior to your inspection, we’ll get in touch to discuss your equipment, help with any problems you may have and book one of our qualified racking inspectors to pay a visit to your site.

If you need any work, our SEIRS-trained installers can get your pallet racking system back up and running in no time at all.

12

Nov

What You Should Know About Pallet Racking Safety Guidelines

For any business, it’s common sense to ensure your equipment works correctly, built to product regulations and safe to use. Most of us know where to look for advice and the marks associated with meeting UK standards. However, one area that still seems to cause a lot of confusion are pallet racking safety guidelines. Yet getting it right is critical especially when you consider that in most warehouse situations the structure sits in close proximity to your employees. Ensuring it’s in tip top condition and meeting pallet racking safety guidelines is crucial.

In our blog, we walk you through the different life stages of your racking and explain how guidance from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and industry regulations impact how you look after it and the decisions you make when purchasing racking.

Pallet racking that has passed pallet racking inspections in a warehouse

Warehouse Safety Standards

We’re going to start our blog by looking at the end point – how to look after your racking. We’re covering this area first because it is the one most regulations and industry guidance reference.

When it comes to running your storage facility safely there are numerous documents from the HSE. These advise on safety measures that keep everyone in your the workplace safe.

The following list doesn’t cover everything, but the main guidance you should be aware of is as follows:

  • Health and Safety at Work Act is the primary safety legislation with covers occupational health and safety in Great Britain. It sets out the general duties employers have towards their employees and members of the public. You must also ensure that you maintain workplaces, equipment and systems appropriately and provide information and instruction on safe use, testing or examination to ensure compliance.
  • The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations reinforce the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974, by outlining that employers identify the risks faced by their employees, contractors and members of the public and take steps to control any danger as well as provide necessary training for employees.
  • Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations aim to ensure that workplaces meet the health, safety and welfare needs of employees. They apply to most workplaces but exclude construction work on sites, those in or on a ship or those below ground at a mine!
  • The Manual Handling Operations Regulations provides guidance on how to avoid, assess and reduce the risk of injury from manual handling.
  • Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations often abbreviate to LOLER place duties on people and companies who own, operate or have control over lifting equipment.
  • Work at Height Regulations expects employers to prevent the risk of death or injury caused by a fall from height. Due to the height reached with racking equipment, the design may need to incorporate safeguards for arresting falls and guard rails.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations often abbreviated to PUWER, place duties on people and companies who own, operate or have control over work equipment. It requires owners to ensure that the equipment provided is suitable for the intended use, safe to use, maintained correctly and inspected regularly.

There are two additional pieces of guidance information which are of direct relevance to the warehouse. This includes HSG76 Warehousing and Storage: A Guide to Health and Safety and SEMA Codes. It is not a legal requirement to follow these guidance documents. However, if you fail to meet your legislative requirements and HSE were to take enforcement action they can use the HSG76 and SEMA Design Codes frameworks to bring action against your business. We’ll discuss these in more detail later on.

Pallet Racking Safety Guidelines – Regular Inspections

warehouse safety - inspection

Most of the regulations above place a heavy emphasis on ensuring you maintain your equipment it and works correctly. Your racking is performing the crucial job of keeping tonnes of equipment safely above the heads of your employees. If you have a look at HSG76 it confirms that racking is manufactured from relatively lightweight materials. This fact does limit the amount of abuse it can withstand and any damage will reduce its load carrying capacity. The greater the damage the less strength the structure will have.

For this reason, it is incredibly important to implement regular inspections. The first stage is to ensure your employees have the skills to identify damage on the racking. They should then be aware of how to report it immediately to the person responsible for inspections. You should also nominate a member of your team to perform visual inspections and maintain a formal written record. At Teepee we offer training to prepare your team for working around racking.

At least once a year, you must support the regular in-house pallet racking inspections with an expert inspection. This inspection must be undertaken by a qualified rack inspector who has the correct qualifications. Their role is to conduct racking and storage assessment reports on the racking and advise if it requires repair work.

If you need an expert inspection, book an appointment with one of our Teepee inspectors. Their report will detail specifications, conditions, damage list by location and photographic evidence for remedial works by your approved supplier.

racking repairs - installation

Racking Installation

Be aware that HSG76 states it’s not sufficient to assume contractors carrying out racking maintenance are competent and work safely. You must check and establish their credentials prior to them starting the work. Ensure they have suitable insurance cover, and provide method and risk assessments prior to commencement of work on site.

With very few racking installation qualifications on the market, this can be a difficult area to check. That is why the Storage Equipment Manufacturer’s Association (SEMA) set up their SEIRS training programme for installers of pallet racking. SEMA is a leading voice on safety within the storage equipment industry and if you look at the racking sections in HSG76, you will notice their work is referenced throughout. As one of the SEMA Approved Members, we must commit to using with SEIRS registered installers for our racking installations.

SEIRS is a two-stage training programme which instructs on the correct and safe industry practices for installing racking. Some racking projects are built on construction sites, and it may be a requirement of the project manager for installers to hold a CSCS card. Be aware that CSCS class certain activities such as racking installations as a specialised skill. In these cases you can only access the correct card through one of their partner card schemes. A CSCS card for racking installations is only available through SEIRS.

Pallet Racking Safety Guidelines – Racking Design

At the start of your racking’s journey, it must meet set criterion to ensure the structure is suitable for the job. In other words, it must work for your space, picking methods and stock weight and type.

This is where design codes help. They ensure ensuring suppliers can demonstrate the systems they supply conform to quality standards and health and safety requirements. We meet these conditions by using codes when designing racking. In the UK, we must ensure it conforms to either EN 15512 or SEMA Design Codes which seen as the standards of the industry.

An example of warehouse pallet storage racks designed and installed by Teepee

Trust in Teepee

As a SEMA Approved Member we are regularly kept up to date on the latest industry requirements for the design and installation of racking systems. This way, you know we have created a safe working environment for your employees. To gain our membership we must demonstrate that we work to over 40 regulations, industry standards, Codes of Practice and legislative requirements.

The membership is awarded after we meet the conditions of an independent audit which checks our work across five key areas. These include:

  • SEMA standard compliance
  • Making sure we maintain proper legal and insurance documentation
  • Conformance to Health and Safety requirements
  • Commitment to reduce environmental impacts
  • Work towards the highest quality standards

We have also been awarded SEMA’s top membership level for racking suppliers. By achieving the SEMA Approved Member – Advanced status which demonstrates our commitment to meeting a high SEMA criteria level.

Are you looking to improve your storage solutions? At Teepee, we have created storage systems for major manufacturers and retailers across the UK. With over 40 years experience within the industry, we can help you maximise the performance of your warehouse. We work closely with customers to design bespoke warehouse pallet racking systems that get to the heart of their business. Our systems help them to maximise their storage and boost productivity.

If you have any questions, get in touch with one of our team who are on hand to help you out.

28

Oct

Transform Your Warehouse Into A Treat This Halloween

With Halloween lurking around the corner, is it time to see if you are delivering a trick or a treat and consider whether it’s time to transform your warehouse?

At Teepee, we specialize in supplying warehouse systems such as partitioning, racking, mezzanine floors, and safety barriers—solutions that can turn your warehouse into a functional masterpiece, with less fright and more delight! We can show you how to avoid monsters lurking in the aisles and instead treat your warehouse to a hauntingly good transformation that will enhance productivity, and storage capacity, to increase profitability and safety.

1. Clear the Cobwebs: Organize Your Space with Effective Racking Solutions

transform your warehouse and clear out cobwebs

Don’t let your warehouse feel like you’re navigating a haunted house. Are dark corners making items disappear? Do piles of stock appear to be moving all by themselves? If your warehouse layout is looking more like a horror scene, it might be time to sweep out the cobwebs and go for streamlined and efficient racking.

The best way to get the most out of your warehouse is to go for a bespoke design. That way you can have a racking layout which works perfectly for your business. The design should accommodate stock profiles, and your picking methods, while also enhancing inventory management. It should enhance the journey of stock as it moves through your warehouse, making sure it is easily accessible and seamlessly moves through the space until the moment the order leaves the building.

A bespoke design will also consider the type of storage equipment you need, whether that’s pallet racking for larger goods, narrow aisle racking to increase storage capacity within the footprint of your building or shelving that can fill a tight space in your warehouse.

By getting Teepee to design a racking system tailored to your exact requirements, we’ll take the planning and design weight off your shoulders. Our design will maximise the space in your warehouse and avoid the ghastly scenes of overcrowded aisles and disorganised inventory.

 

2. Banish Hazards with Safety Barriers

transform your warehouse with safety barriers

When things go bump in the warehouse, make sure it doesn’t turn into a horror story. Getting suitable protection around high-risk areas can help your warehouse to operate safely while keeping your workers protected from any unexpected scares. It is also a requirement to ensure you comply with current Health & Safety Legislation and Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) recommendations.

The problem is, with so many options on the market, which is the best one for your racking and business? One advantage of working with a supplier like Teepee is that we are product agnostic which means we can supply the best safety equipment to suit your warehouse – regardless of the manufacturer. We offer a range of steel or impact-resistance plastic safety barriers and guarding systems such as racking safety barriers, pedestrian barriers, end-of-aisle racking barriers including upright protection guards, mezzanine floor stanchion guards and protection barriers around machines, offices and building walls. We also offer a bespoke manufacturing service to meet individual needs.

3. Banish the spectre of unused space

transform your warehouse and maximise unused space

If your warehouse is haunted by the lack of storage space or inadequate areas for picking and packing tasks, maybe it’s time to consider how to maximise your warehouse. Any building has constrains with the height and width of the structure, but it is possible to enhance what you have with a few little treats.

There are plenty of options to incorporate into the warehouse that can provide additional storage capacity. With multi-tier racking you build upwards to utilise the space above your head by creating levels and walkways on which you place shelving to create picking lanes. Another option is to introduce some space-saving models such as Push Back racking which operates on a First In Last Out (FILO) system. The racking stores up to 10 pallets deep and can optimise the space by up to 85%. Pallets load onto a gravity roll track that pushes previous pallets to the back, then, when you pick a pallet, the next one behind will move forward. Pallets load and unload from the same aisle picking space and you can store several SKUs without needing to move large quantities of pallets to gain access.

If it’s usable space you’re looking for, you might want to consider adding a mezzanine floor. These structures are custom-built for your needs and can be used for multiple purposes including additional storage, production space and even offices.

4. Divide and Conquer this Halloween with Partitioning Systems

transform your warehouse with partitioning

Instead of going up, why not look at casting a spell by dividing the floor space you currently have. After all, a chaotic warehouse layout can make it feel like everything’s closing in on you, much like a claustrophobic haunted house.

Maybe you need to better utilise the space on your factory floor. Perhaps, you’re looking to create extra rooms for dedicated workspaces or offices for private meetings. At Teepee, we can supply bespoke and multi-functional partition walls that solve all your nightmare dilemmas.

Our industrial partitioning solutions offer the flexibility you need to create distinct work zones on your factory floor, ensuring the safety of your employees and enhancing the productivity of your business. Whether you need to section off areas for manufacturing, storage, or office space within your factory, our factory partitioning walls are the ultimate solution for all your partitioning needs. If you already have dedicated office space, we can also provide glass office partitions to enhance your layout.

5. Scare Off Downtime with Regular Inspections and Maintenance

transform your warehouse and scare off downtime

Nothing is more terrifying for a warehouse than unexpected downtime due to damage racking. You can avoid frightful surprises by regularly inspecting your storage equipment.

As a SEMA Approved Member – Advanced, we recommend their advice of following a three-tiered inspection approach.

  • Every day your team should be keeping an eye on your racking and reporting if they see any knocks or bumps. Why is this important? Well, your storage equipment is manufactured from lightweight materials and there is a limit to the amount of abuse it can withstand. As explained in HSG76 Warehousing & Storage: A Guide to Health and Safety, any amount of damage can significantly reduce the load-bearing capacity and stability of the racking structure.
  • Once a week a nominated member of your team should perform a visual inspection. The role is also known as a Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS) and they should check everyone is following correct usage, record damage levels and implement action on any points. A formal record of their inspection will be written for your records. To prepare your team for damage checking the racking and undertaking the weekly inspection we offer our Racking and Safety Awareness Course.
  • At least once a year, you must submit your racking to an Expert inspection. This can only be done by a competent and trained inspector with the correct qualifications for this type of inspection. They will conduct racking and storage assessments while also reporting and making recommendations to maintain the safety of your racking. If you need an expert inspection, get in touch and one of our approved racking inspectors to visit your site. They will produce an electronic report that details damage list by location, a traffic light reporting system for the completion of repair work and photographic evidence for remedial works.

If you want to make your warehouse a fright-free zone this Halloween why not get in touch with Teepee. With over 35 years of experience within the industry, we have the knowledge and skills to discuss your project and determine the best solution for your facility! We can also arrange a free on-site consultation to ensure your warehouse design maximises your business.

04

Mar

Improved warehouse safety – make your racking a priority task

Safety has to be a priority in any warehouse. They are busy environments. Heavy stock is moving around and you must protect employees while working in the space. However, over recent years with the fast growth in e-commerce, pressures have increased within the warehouse. With a drive for additional storage capacity and faster throughput of stock, are you remembering to maintain warehouse safety?

In the warehouse, the main focus areas for safety are slips and falls, manual handling and keeping your employees safe around moving vehicles. The challenge, especially as our warehouse spaces get busier, is how to minimise the risks. This is where your racking comes into play. Get the design of your storage equipment right, take the correct measures on maintenance and training and it will address many of your safety issues.

Here is our checklist of key points to consider to maximise pallet racking safety.

warehouse safety - pallet racking safety

Warehouse Safety – roles and responsibilities

Before we look at how your pallet racking can make a warehouse safe, you first need to understand your responsibilities towards warehouse safety. Fortunately, serious incidents around racking are rare, but they can and do still happen. This is why there are several regulations and guidance documents in place that any business owner must follow to meet their health and safety requirements. These are:

In addition to these, there are three regulations and guidance documents which specifically relate to increasing warehouse safety. These also cover safety in the design, installation and use of your pallet racking equipment.

Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) sets out the legal duties of everyone involved in a construction project. Although you may not realise it, large pallet-racking projects fall under the category of construction work. CDM 2015 requires the client (anyone who has construction work carried out for them) to make sure their project is suitably managed and upholds the health and safety of anyone involved.

In conjunction with industry unions, associations and employer bodies, HSE produces HSG76 Warehousing and Storage: A Guide to Health and Safety. The document offers advice to warehouse owners in increasing safety and covers general health, safety and welfare, materials handling and storage.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, 1998 places the responsibility on employers to uphold safety for their employees by ensuring the work equipment they use is in good working order. The regulations include pallet racking and other storage equipment.

Increase Pallet Racking Safety

Making sure your racking equipment and warehouse space meet industry regulations is essential. However, in an industry with so many different suppliers, knowing who to work with can be a challenge. How do you know they have chosen the right system for your warehouse? Does the design increase warehouse safety standards? Will the structure meet its intended purpose? Are they meeting all the regulations?

Checking the credentials of your suppliers can take a lot of time, especially if you’re not a racking expert! One place to start is by contacting SEMA, a leading voice in the storage equipment industry. Their guidance works through the design, supply, installation, use and maintenance of storage equipment.

To help warehouse owners even further they also work with leading industry suppliers to create a network of approved members. Work with a SEMA Distributor Company such as Teepee and you know they undergo independent audits to ensure they meet all the industry requirements and standards. This provides clear proof to warehouse owners that their new storage system will be correctly designed using new products that are installed by trained and qualified teams to meet HSE standards and that the member is correctly insured. It will save you a lot of time and effort making sure you tick all the health and safety boxes!

warehouse safety - loading

Prioritising pallet racking safety

One of the advantages of working with a SEMA Distributor Company is that you know they are benefitting from the technical expertise available through the group. That means we are kept up to date on the latest industry regulations, technical requirements and design guidance.

To enhance your warehouse safety, we will make sure that your racking considers the following:

  1. Safe working spaces
    Keeping your employees safe when working in areas with pallet racking has a lot to do with the layout of the equipment. Of course, optimising the racking must address how to increase storage capacity, processing order timescales and productivity. But good design and layout will also help reduce accidents, keep your employees safe from moving vehicles and minimise the risk of slips or trips. This includes creating clear pathways, designated loading and unloading zones, and ensuring stock is accessed safely.
  2. Moving vehicles
    In the modern warehouse, you will inevitably see some form of vehicle moving around the space. Forklift trucks are the most common but, with the increase in automation and robotics, the requirements are changing. However, with warehouse workers also using the space there needs to be constant management to prevent accidents. Traffic routes around the racking should allow pedestrians to see the vehicles and drivers to operate safely. Where possible, employees should be kept separate from the vehicles.
  3. Racking designed for stock profiles and picking methods
    As warehouse spaces become larger, so too do the size and height of the racking structures. It is not unusual for workers to work above floor level on mezzanine or multi-tier structures or through the use of forklift trucks. Keeping everyone safe on the shop floor requires a design that includes enough space between the beams for the picking methods, equipment used and stock profiles. The racking aisles must also accommodate safe access to goods, use correct racking protection products and incorporate the moving space of fork-lift trucks and robotics.
  4. Pallet racking – weight limits
    The design of your racking includes limits on the weight the structure can hold and how to load it correctly. The precise details can be different for each bay or racking run depending on the stock you carry. Important guidance when you consider that, in its simplest form, your racking is a basic metal frame. Ignore the weight-carrying specifications and it can lead to a potential failure of the racking. You can’t expect everyone to remember the different weight-carrying capacities which is why your employees need to pay attention to the Load Notice. This key warehouse safety sign clearly shows the correct loading and weight procedures for the structure.
  5. Pallet racking safety equipment
    If you have the optimal design for your racking it should keep everyone safe. However, it can only meet its intended purpose if everything is working correctly. Your supplier should also build in safety equipment that protects the racking from damage including rack guards and post protectors. Finally, for correct installation of the structure you must use a SEIRS installer who has trained to meet SEMA and industry standards. That way you will know pallet racking safety pins are correctly securing beams in place. Locks are in place to ensure adjustments are not be made by unauthorised members.

warehouse safety - rack protectors

Improving Safety

The racking is in place and stock is moving through the space seamlessly. Stock efficiency has increased to minimise order timescales and increase your profitability.

Now the biggest challenge – how to keep it all working correctly!

The answer lies in equipping your employees with the knowledge of how to work in areas with racking. It may seem easy to dismiss racking training as an unnecessary step, but it does provide you with two clear advantages. First, and perhaps most importantly, it will keep your employees safe. Second of all, it will help to maximise the lifespan of your racking (which is ideal for maximising the ROI).

That is why we run our Rack Inspection Training. The course equips your employees with the skills and knowledge they need to work safely in areas where racking is present. It also provides them with the tools they need to recognise damage on racking. After all, the sooner damaged racking is reported, the sooner it can be fixed and the safer everyone stays. Finally, our course will help you in meeting your PUWER responsibilities by training a member of your team to perform the HSE and SEMA recommended weekly inspection.

warehouse safety - inspection

Ongoing Warehouse Safety

The final step is to ensure your racking keeps everyone safe for as long as possible. You can only achieve this if the structure is subject to an Expert inspection at least once a year. This inspection must be undertaken by a professional with the correct qualifications. Their role is to conduct racking and storage assessment reports on the racking and recommend if repair work is required.

Ideally, you want an approved racking inspector who uses a traffic light reporting system according to SEMA guidelines. Their report will indicate where damage is present and action requirements over what timescale.

  • Green areas indicate where damage falls within SEMA limits and is considered safe and suitable for use, but it will need reviewing at the next inspection.
  • Amber shows where the damage is severe enough to require remedial work, but you don’t need to offload the racking immediately. As pallet positions empty, you must not refill the area. Repairs not completed within four weeks automatically become a red risk.
  • Red risk areas indicates a dangerious level of damage and the racking requires immediate offloading. At this stage, you must isolate the racking and not use it until the repair work is complete.

If you need an expert inspection, get in touch with Teepee and we can arrange for one of our fully qualified and insured racking inspectors to visit your site. They will produce an electronic report that adheres to SEMA inspection guidelines. The report will detail specifications, conditions, damage list by location and photographic evidence for remedial works by your approved supplier.

Need help in upholding warehouse safety?

At Teepee, we’re more than just creating and delivering the perfect storage solution. We place safety and high standards at the forefront of every racking design and installation we fulfil.

If you’ve got a warehouse storage project planned, why not contact Teepee? Our experience within the racking and warehouse industry means that we can help deliver a project that promises safety, quality and reliability throughout the lifetime of your racking.

08

Jan

Your Complete Guide to Understanding Warehouse Racking Repairs

Warehouse racking repairs, we hate to say it, are inevitable. In the busy day-to-day environment that is your warehouse, it’s natural for your storage equipment to be at risk of knocks and bumps. No matter what racking you have, eventually all that wear and tear is going to need some repair work. To keep your warehouse running smoothly and your workforce safe, ensuring it’s in the best condition is extremely important.

In this blog, we look at how you can minimise accidental damage and reduce ongoing repair costs. We’ll also look at what you can do to minimise maintenance costs and the best approaches to address racking repairs.

Racking Safety Regulations

warehouse racking repairs - safety regulations

When addressing warehouse racking repairs, the first place to start looking at the relevant safety regulations. Under the PUWER (Provisions and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) you, as the warehouse manager must ensure that any work equipment is in good working order. What you may not be aware of is the fact that your racking is classified as work equipment.

PUWER requires you to check whether any equipment is:

  • Suitable for the intended use
  • Safe to use
  • Inspected
  • Maintained in a safe condition

Failing to correctly do so can result in serious consequences. If an investigation by the HSE discovers you have failed in due diligence it can result in hefty fines. This doesn’t even take into account the potential impact on lives after a serious accident.

Inspections and Warehouse Racking Repairs

To meet PUWER it is recommended that you inspect your storage equipment. The design of your racking does allow for some wear and tear but there is a limit to what it can take. Even minor damage can limit the load-carrying capacity of the structure and quickly develop into a serious issue if not addressed.

A rigorous inspection regime will address any damage before it becomes serious. For industry guidance on inspections, there are two places to go. The HSE has produced ‘HSG76 Warehousing and Storage: A Guide to Health and Safety’ or you can head to the website of SEMA who are the leading voice on safety in the storage equipment industry. Both recommend following a three-tiered process for inspecting warehouse racking.

How Often Should You Inspect Racking?

warehouse racking repairs - installation

  1. Every day your staff should be aware of any damage on the racking. Provide training for your employees, like our Rack Inspection Training course, and it will give them the tools they need to understand what classifies as racking damage. It is far more cost-effective to catch damage early before it develops into a more serious problem.This training also has the benefit of guiding them through safe working practices. Damaged racking can cause downtime for your business. Minimise unnecessary costs by making sure your employees know how to correctly work around the racking. Not only will it keep them safe but it should also reduce accidental damage to the structure.
  1. At least once a week, a member of your staff must undertake a more thorough inspection. This includes checking the loading is correct for the load notice and if there are any components that are missing or damaged. It will also check that everyone is using the equipment correctly. Again, our Rack Inspection Training course will guide them through the process.
  2. Finally, at least once a year, you must have an Expert Inspection by a qualified approved racking inspector. Their detailed inspection report will cover the suitability and compatibility of your equipment, and rack configuration type and classify any damage using a traffic light system to indicate actions required and the recommended timescale to address them.

If you’re overdue for your inspection or have not had one before, why not give us a call and we can arrange for one of our experienced racking inspectors to visit your site.

How do I know if I need warehouse racking repairs?

You know you have damage to your racking but does it need repairing every time? The first thing to understand is the level of the damage. If your racking inspection uses the traffic light system, it should be very easy to understand.

A ‘Green Risk’ shows that there is damage, but it falls well below SEMA allowances. This will be recorded for follow-up at the next inspection.

Next, is the ‘Amber Risk’. This is damage which requires repair work but not at a level that requires immediate offloading. However, you should be aware that as you empty the bays, they should not be refilled. This does not mean you can leave the repair work. SEMA advises that if you don’t get the ‘Amber Risk’ areas fixed within four weeks it will immediately become a ‘Red Risk’.

Now on to the worst type of damage ‘Red Risk’. This is an area with a high level of damage and must be immediately offloaded and isolated. You may only use the racking again once it has been repaired.

Protect your racking investment

warehouse racking repairs - installation

Before you jump online and book a company to come out and repair your racking, take caution! Not all repair work is valid. SEMA has produced guidance on what repair work they recommend and what should be avoided.

For example, your racking company should never undertake welding to the structure because there is no way to test the result of the weld and guarantee strength. If there is damage to an upright, you should never bend it back into shape – it’s far safe to cut out the affected area and splice in a new section. If you need to replace non-structural elements you should only use the correct manufacturer’s part according to their specification. Always check they are replacing the part with the correct one!!

Finally, check with the racking manufacturer on whether the repair work will affect your warranty. Any warehouse racking repairs using third-party materials or unqualified installers could alter the original specification and verification of the product and impact its integrity. The company undertaking the work must provide a warranty to confirm that the repairs are covered by the manufacturer.

How to choose a company to conduct your warehouse racking repairs

warehouse racking repairs - choose a supplier

If you’re looking to protect your investment, you need to work with a company that is approved by the manufacturer of your equipment. However, knowing which companies to trust can be a time-consuming process.

One solution is to work with a SEMA Distributor Company like Teepee. As a member of SEMA, we work closely with the manufacturing members and can access their documentation to conduct repair work. Any warehouse racking repairs will be approved by the manufacturer and protect your warranty.

To become a SEMA Distributor Company, we have been able to successfully demonstrate a high level of commitment to adhere to over 40 regulations, industry standards, Codes of Practice, and legislative requirements. We also have to submit to a three-yearly audit process which checks that we have technical sign-off and traceability for any racking repair work or modification. It will save you a lot of leg work and reassure you.

Need repairs to your racking?

As a member of SEMA, we are also committed to using SEIRS-trained racking installers. The programme run by SEMA ensures that all SEIRS installers have been through their rigorous two-stage training programme and instructs on the correct and safe industry practices for working on racking equipment.

27

Apr

Racking Inspection Training Courses

The Importance of Racking Inspection Training Courses

Warehouses are important hubs for many industries. They are used to store and distribute goods and products. They are essential to the economy and industry. One of the most critical components of any warehouse is the racking system. Racking systems are used to store goods vertically, which maximizes the use of space in the warehouse. However, like any structure, racking systems can deteriorate over time and become hazardous. To prevent accidents and ensure safety, racking inspection training courses are essential for anyone involved in the operation and management of a warehouse.

 

Teepee Warehouse Solutions Racking Inspection Training Courses Lesson in session

So, What Makes Racking Inspection Training Courses Important?

Racking inspection training courses provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and assess different styles of racking systems. Similarly, they also teach you how to safely carry out inspections and identify potential safety hazards.

Without proper training, any racking inspections performed may be inadequate, and safety hazards may go unnoticed. Racking inspection training courses can help minimize the risk of accidents and ensure the safety of employees working in the warehouse.

Who should attend racking inspection training courses?

Ideally, anyone involved in the operation and management of a warehouse should attend racking inspection training courses. This includes warehouse managers, supervisors, forklift operators, and other personnel who are responsible for the movement and storage of any workplace goods. Training courses can also benefit the work of health and safety officers and inspectors responsible for monitoring workplace safety. By attending racking inspection training courses, these individuals can learn how to identify potential safety hazards and take the necessary steps to minimize risk.

Teepee Warehouse Solutions Racking Inspection Training Courses 2 People Inspecting

 

What Are the Benefits of Inspection Training Courses?

At Teepee Warehouse Solutions, our racking inspection training courses offer numerous benefits, including:

  • Improved safety: Racking inspection training courses teach participants how to identify potential safety hazards as well as to take the necessary steps to minimize those risks. By doing so, they can help improve safety in the workplace and reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.
  • Compliance with regulations: Warehouses are subject to various regulations and standards governing workplace safety. By ensuring that your staff have attended racking inspection training courses, warehouse personnel can learn how to comply with these regulations and avoid forcing you to deal with costly fines and penalties.
  • Increased efficiency: When kept in good condition, racking systems are vastly more efficient and productive. By identifying and repairing damaged racking, warehouse personnel can improve efficiency and reduce downtime caused by accidents and/or any necessary repairs.
  • Cost efficiency: Accidents and injuries can be costly for employers, not to mention to the staff involved. By attending racking inspection training courses and identifying potential safety hazards, warehouse personnel can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, resulting in cost savings for the company.

 

What Topics Are Covered In Our Inspection Training Courses?

Racking inspection training courses cover a range of topics, including:

  • Overviews of different racking systems: Where participants learn about the different types of racking systems and their components.
  • Inspection procedures: Participants learn how to carry out inspections and identify potential safety hazards.
  • Legal requirements: Participants learn about the various regulations and standards governing workplace safety, including the Health and Safety at Work Act.
  • Risk assessment: Participants learn how to assess the risk associated with damaged racking and identify appropriate control measures.
  • Reporting and documentation: Participants learn how to report and document findings from inspections and communicate them to relevant personnel.

Teepee Warehouse Solutions Racking Inspection Training Courses Man inspecting shelf

Choose Teepee Warehouse Solutions For Your Inspection Training

Racking inspection training courses are essential for anyone involved in the operation and management of a warehouse. They provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and assess racking systems and identify potential safety hazards. By attending racking inspection training courses, warehouse personnel can improve safety, comply with regulations, increase efficiency, and save costs. At Teepee Warehouse Solutions, we offer a variety of racking inspection training courses that are designed to meet the needs of all warehouse personnel.

Contact us today to learn more about our training courses and how they can benefit your organization.