What is a “SEMA Approved Racking Inspector”?

SEMA approved racking inspector

Since 2004, SEMA has been running courses for people wanting to become SEMA approved racking inspector (SARIs). A lot has changed in 13 years, but SEMA’s standards remain the same.

A SEMA approved racking inspector (also known as a SEMA approved inspector or SARI) is a person who has completed one of SEMA’s specialised training courses on racking inspections.

What’s the Difference Between SEMA Racking Inspection Courses and Your Racking Inspection Training Course?

SEMA racking inspection courses (also known as SEMA approved racking inspection courses) are specifically designed for future SEMA approved racking inspectors. According to HSE, people who pass that course are able to deliver “expert” third-party racking inspections for businesses. HSE recommends “expert” inspections such as these at least once a year.

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 also recommends that further inspections are needed if work equipment (which includes all racking systems) is damaged in any way. This is why HSE recommends racking inspections from a SEMA approved inspector at least once a year.

There are two kinds of SEMA racking inspection courses: an adjustable pallet racking inspector course and a cantilever racking inspector course. Be sure to ask your SEMA approved inspector which course they have completed.

The course we deliver at Storage Equipment Experts is a racking inspection training course delivered by a SEMA approved racking inspector. This course will make your staff competent enough to deliver the regular staff-led racking inspections which HSE recommends once a week or so, not the expert inspections which it also recommends once a year.

As per the new CDM Regulations, it is your duty as an employer and warehouse owner to make sure that your staff are competent enough to perform any task in your warehouse — including regular staff-led racking inspections. This is why we offer our course.

While the racking inspection training course which we offer is by no means simple, passing the SEMA course to become a SEMA approved inspector is much more difficult. As previously mentioned, inspections from SEMA approved racking inspectors are recommended by HSE and the reason for this is SEMA’s rigid standards.

How Do You Become a SEMA Approved Inspector? Attend the SEMA Approved Racking Inspector Course

Before a person can even begin training for their SEMA approved inspector qualification, they need to complete an initial assessment as a pre-course qualifier. Only when this has been completed can they move on to the next stage, which requires candidates to “complete a specially designed intensive course, written examination and practical assessment”.

The intensive course lasts three days and the practical assessment is observed by people who expect excellent inspection technique, accurate damage assessment and concise reporting. Due to SEMA’s standards, the failure rate for this examination is high and as of 2017, there are only 107 registered SEMA approved racking inspectors in the world.

And we do mean “in the world”. The SEMA approved racking inspection course has a reputation across the globe. That’s why there are SEMA approved racking inspectors in Ireland, Spain, Poland, Finland, the UAE, Singapore, and China.

Most people who gain their SEMA approved inspector qualification are listed as an “adjustable pallet racking inspector” by SEMA. This is because most storage systems are some kind of pallet racking system — but not all of them.

Cantilever racking is becoming a more and more popular form of warehouse storage. As it is so different from pallet racking, SEMA offers a separate extension course on cantilever racking. Only 36 SEMA approved inspectors in the world are qualified SEMA approved pallet racking inspectors and SEMA approved cantilever racking inspectors.

One of those 36 SEMA approved inspectors works right here at Storage Equipment Experts.

How Do You Remain a SEMA Approved Racking Inspector? Remain Committed to Racking Safety

Being a SEMA approved racking inspector is an “ongoing commitment”. SEMA approved racking inspectors are expected to maintain their standards and their knowledge. To do this, SEMA approved inspectors need to be sure they are inspecting racking on a regular basis. Moreover, they should be attending SEMA meetings and seminars, completing any extra relevant courses available and imparting their knowledge to others.

At Storage Equipment Experts, we believe in all of these things. Our belief in imparting knowledge is why we have written articles for a wide variety of publications (both national and international), as well as this blog. We do this to ensure that we impart as much of our knowledge as possible to the warehousing, logistics and construction community. Knowledge is power — and we are firm believers in giving others that power, too.

What Kind of Person is a SEMA Approved Inspector?

As well as a competent pallet racking inspector, a SARI needs certain character traits. At the SEMA meeting on 17th September 2015, Mike Pace outlined the traits of a SEMA approved racking inspector. They have “sound observational skills”, “a robust understanding” and “a keen eye for detail”. Added to this, a SEMA approved racking inspector has “the ability to assimilate technical information” and the ability “to communicate findings clearly and concisely”.

At Storage Equipment Experts, we are proud to have the best SEMA approved racking inspectors in the UK and Ireland. Contact us today!

FREE Racking Inspection Checklist and Guide

Racking Inspection Checklist

We’re proud to offer a FREE racking inspection checklist for our customers to download. Here’s how it works…

We’ve created a free PDF racking inspection checklist and guide that you can download right now. Use our racking inspection checklist to carry out internal racking Inspections and to check the condition of your pallet racking system.

Why Did We Create a Racking Inspection Checklist?

We created the checklist because of a demand for something which businesses can use to carry out the sort of inspection which HSE recommends in its guide on warehouse safety. As a business which is committed to safety, we didn’t want people to have to pay for a checklist that should be available for free.

How Do I Use This Racking Inspection Checklist?

The detailed guide, which comes with the checklist, gives specific information on how to use the  racking inspection checklist. The guide should also be used alongside HSE’s traffic light system as referenced in HSG76.

Where Do I Get This Racking Inspection Checklist?

Right here! Just click the link below. Download your FREE racking inspection checklist

Who Can Use This Racking Inspection Checklist?

The checklist has been designed for use by people with specific training for pallet racking inspections. If you or your staff haven’t received such training, we wouldn’t recommend using this racking inspection checklist. HSE’s opinion is that the person who should carry out regular racking inspections in your workplace should be “competent”. According to the CDM Regulations, the definition of “competent” is up to the employer.

How Can My Staff or I Become “Competent” Enough to Use This Checklist?

At Storage Equipment Experts, we offer pallet racking inspection training. Our opinion is that a racking inspection training course will mean that you are competent enough to perform the sorts of inspections which HSE and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 recommend. Our racking inspection training course is run by one of the few SEMA approved racking inspectors to be a SEMA approved pallet racking inspector and a SEMA approved cantilever racking inspector. Our course can be delivered at our easily accessible centre which is near London, or at your business. We are happy to travel to any business in the UK or Ireland. Contact us for a quote on racking inspection training.

My Download Didn’t Work. What Now?

Some computers block the download. This is either because you have a pop-up block or an ad-blocker turned on. Click on your ad-blocker or pop-up blocker and disable it for this site. After that, your download should work.

Need a SEMA Approved Inspection for Pallet Racking in London? Contact SEE Today!

a female worker conducting a pallet racking inspection in London

If you have pallet racking in London, pallet racking in the South East, or pallet racking anywhere in the UK or Ireland, Storage Equipment Experts can deliver racking inspections from SEMA approved inspectors and racking inspection training for your business.

Whether it’s AR pallet racking, Esmena pallet racking, or any other kind of warehouse storage racking system, Storage Equipment Experts are there to deliver racking inspections and racking inspection training from a SEMA approved racking inspector. We are experts in all kinds of storage equipment. After all, it’s in our name.

We have performed hundreds of inspections on pallet racking in London and pallet racking in the South East. However, we’re also happy to travel anywhere in the UK or Ireland.

We Know All There is About Pallet Racking in London

Pallet racking in London can be found all over the city and the whole of the capital is dependant on its safety. From factories, to storage facilities, to art spaces and everything in between, London is a city bustling with business and, as a result, London is a city filled with warehouses.

All of those warehouses mean different types of storage equipment. Fortunately, we at Storage Equipment Experts know all there is to know about inspecting Schaefer racking, PSS racking, Dexion racking, Link 51 racking, Mecalux racking, Redirack racking, Apex racking, Polypal racking and much more. Our SEMA approved racking inspector also has experience inspecting racking at many different kinds of businesses across London — from the Tate Modern to Pinewood Studios.

SEE Performs the Best Inspections of Pallet Racking in London, the South East, or Anywhere in the UK or Ireland

We offer the best racking inspections by SEMA Approved inspectors in the UK or Ireland. We say that because, as well as being one of just over 100 SEMA approved pallet racking inspectors, our racking inspection expert at Storage Equipment is one of only 34 SEMA approved racking inspectors to have passed the cantilever racking inspection course run by SEMA.

So whether it’s pallet racking in London, cantilever racking in London, or any kind of storage system anywhere in the UK or Ireland, be sure to contact us.

We can also confidently state that we offer the best pallet racking inspection training for pallet racking in London or anywhere else. Our knowledge of AR pallet racking, Esmena pallet racking, or any other kind of pallet racking system is second to none. That’s why we’ve written over 100,000 words on pallet racking maintenance and pallet racking safety.

Our training can be delivered from our base in London or from your business anywhere in the UK or Ireland. We are happy to travel for our customers, so contact us to get a quote on our pallet racking inspection training course.

What is more, Storage Equipment Experts offers the best pallet racking inspection checklist in the UK or Ireland, for FREE, alongside an infographic explaining exactly how it works. From all this, it’s easy to see why we are renowned for offering the best pallet racking inspections in London or anywhere in the UK or Ireland.

Warehouse Pallet Racking in London

As London’s population expands and the city continues to attract billions of pounds worth of tourism, it’s good to know that the city can depend on a reliable racking inspection expert to ensure its warehouses are up to scratch. After all, safe warehouses are more than places of business themselves (in the case of art spaces or storage facilities); they are often the backbone of many other London businesses.

Without a London-based supplier with a London-based warehouse, London would simply not be able to sell as much as it does to its millions of consumers. As the foremost pallet racking experts in London, the businesses of the city can relax knowing that its supply chain is being inspected by a SEMA approved racking inspector, as per HSE guidelines.

Warehouse Pallet Racking in London, the South East and Everywhere Else in the UK and Ireland

Storage Equipment Experts Head Office is based in London — in the heart of the South East — but with SEMA Approved Racking Inspectors located around the UK we are able and willing to travel all over the United Kingdom and Ireland to deliver pallet racking inspections. We have happy customers from Manchester to Scotland and from Somerset to Ireland.

Contact us today for the best inspections for pallet racking in London from the UK and Ireland’s best SEMA approved racking inspector.

6 Things to Ask Before Choosing a Racking Inspector

Warehouse racking inspector stands in hard hat with clipboard

There are many people out there offering racking inspection services, but not everyone offers the same quality of service

The aim of racking inspection services are to make your racking safer, so finding out that the person who provided those services was some kind of hack is a terrible outcome. At best, you’ll lose money. At worst, you’ll wind up with a warehouse which is less safe.

So how can you avoid being left in the lurch? Here’s our guide to six questions that you should ask a racking inspector before you get racking inspection services from them.

1. “What Racking Inspection Services Do You Offer?”

There are many different kinds of racking inspection services out there. Some companies offer regular inspections and some offer racking inspection training so that your staff can perform inspections themselves. What’s more, not all inspections are the same. Why is that? Well…

2. “Are You a SEMA Approved Racking Inspector?”

If this isn’t the second question you ask, then it should be the first. If your racking inspector isn’t a SEMA approved racking inspector, then the inspection they deliver won’t be to the SEMA standard of racking inspection.

This matters. HSE differentiates between regular racking inspections performed by your staff (or just some person) and an “expert” inspection. SEMA approved racking inspectors are labelled as “experts”, so if your inspection is from them, you’ll be following HSE’s advice. If your inspection isn’t from a SEMA approved racking inspector, then follow up with this question…

3. “What Makes You an “Expert” Racking Inspector?”

…Or, put another way, “what qualifies you to inspect my racking system?” HSE expects your racking system to be inspected by an “expert”. While it labels SEMA approved racking inspectors as “experts”, it doesn’t offer any other definition of this term.

In the past, this led to the rise of hundreds of card schemes, with anybody able to pull out a card and call themselves an “expert”. In 2015, this was all cleared up with the HSE CDM regulations. This legislation did many things but, for racking inspectors, the most important thing it did was allow the “client” to define who is and who is not an “expert” and who is and who is not “competent”.

In other words, if you own a storage system, it is your responsibility to decide if someone is expert enough to inspect your system. If the worst should happen, such as an injury or worse, then you may be asked to explain your thinking. You may be asked how you came to the conclusion that the person who inspected your racking system was an expert.

If you answer that they were a SEMA approved racking inspector, then you have HSE on your side. If you have a different answer, then it will need to be a good one.

4. “Are You Qualified to Inspect Cantilever Racking?”

HSE’s guide to warehouse and safety doesn’t differentiate between being qualified to inspect pallet racking and being qualified to inspect cantilever racking. It simply says that SEMA runs SARI (SEMA Approved Racking Inspector) courses and that the people who pass those courses are experts.

SEMA, however, does differentiate between people qualified to inspect cantilever racking and people qualified to inspect pallet racking. So, in lieu of relevant input from HSE, it’s best to defer to SEMA’s advice on this particular issue.

According to its database, there are 103 SEMA approved racking inspectors in the world, with qualified inspectors based in Ireland, Spain, Poland, Finland, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and China. However, of those 103 inspectors, only 34 are also qualified to inspect cantilever racking.

Storage Equipment Experts has one of those 34 inspectors. According to SEMA, that’s makes us one of the few UK based businesses qualified to inspect both cantilever and pallet racking. Whoever inspects your pallet racking, make sure that are qualified to do so.

5. “How Often Do I Need a Racking Inspection?”

HSE’s answer to this question is that you need an“expert” inspection at least once year and “regular” inspections from “competent” staff. We’ve already discussed what HSE means by “expert” and “competent”, but “regular” is another open-ended idea. HSE states that the regularity should be determined by the Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS).

If someone tries to tell you that you need more than one “expert” inspection a year, they are also not wrong. The sixth section of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 states that all work equipment should be inspected “after installation and before being put into service for the first time” and “after assembly at a new site or location”. What’s more, work equipment should be inspected “at suitable intervals” and when “exceptional circumstances” mean that the equipment could be damaged.

According to the fifth section of the same legislation, storage systems count as “work equipment”. As such, under any of the circumstances mentioned in the sixth section, a racking inspection from a SEMA approved inspector is recommended. That’s why HSE says “at least” once a year and not “only” once a year.

6. “What Makes You Qualified to Inspect Racking in This Country?”

As previously mentioned, SEMA approved racking inspectors operate all over the world. However, different safety regulations in different countries recommend different things. In short, not every country recommends having a racking inspection from a SEMA approved inspector.

For example, Storage Equipment Experts operates in Ireland, where HSA also recommends racking inspection services from a SEMA approved racking inspector — albeit not directly. What’s more, an EU directive states that racking systems need to be inspected by an “expert” inspector at least once a year. This is the same wording HSE uses and this is likely why there are SEMA approved inspectors operating in Finland, Poland and Spain as well.

While this is the case in Ireland and the EU, the situation in your country might be different. Be sure to check.

If you don’t fancy asking an inspector all of that, just contact Storage Equipment Experts. Our racking inspection services include SEMA approved pallet racking inspections, SEMA approved cantilever racking inspections and racking inspection training.

What Does the SEMA Code of Practice Say About Load Notices?

man in warehouse checking racking and load notices

Businesses who ignore the SEMA Code of Practice’s advice on load notices run the risk of more than fines

The SEMA Code of Practice states that load notices are safety notices for racking systems which are included on all racking systems provided by SEMA approved distributor companies. Load notices explain to the end users of a racking system how the system should be used and what the system’s limitations are.

The advice is approved by HSE, but it is not the only advice that end users need to follow when using racking. Rather, load notices are intended as summaries or quick reminders of HSE approved advice for the safe use of racking. Load notices do not replace the need for employers to train their staff on the safe use of racking systems, for example.


All SEMA approved racking systems have had SEMA load notices on them since the 1980s. These notices have since been updated with input from the SEMA Code of Practice, HSE, and the EU.

According to HSE, not every racking system provider needs to be a SEMA distributor company. However, HSE’s HSG76 states that all racking systems need some kind of load notice and refers to SEMA’s advice on load notices as an example how load notices should be. To understand SEMA load notices a bit better, it’s good to understand their history.

Brief History: SEMA Code of Practice Creates SEMA Load Notices; EU & HSE Improve Them

The earliest SEMA load notices were mentioned in the original SEMA Code of Practice for Use of Static Pallet Racking in the ‘80s. Some SEMA approved racking systems still have these load notices. However, SEMA load notices have since evolved because of input from the EU, HSE, and updates to the SEMA Code of Practice itself.

EC Directive 92/58/EEC was announced by the EU in June 1992. This EU directive outlined the ways health and safety signs at work should look. EU directives are not the same as EU regulations. An EU directive sets out an objective to be achieved and it is then up to each individual member state to achieve this objective in its own way.

As a result, it wasn’t until four years later that the UK turned this EU directive into British law, with the implementation of the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. SEMA load notices were modified to adhere to these regulations.

The main changes were to the colours and the designs of the different kinds of notices on the racking equipment. The original SEMA load notices used their own design as outlined in the original SEMA Code of Practice. These new ones now adhere to the national standard for safety signs and subsequent SEMA Codes of Practice have been updated accordingly.

Red circular signs with white backgrounds and black pictograms are used for prohibition. Yellow triangular signs with yellow backgrounds and black pictograms or text are used for warning. Green rectangular signs with white pictograms or text are used for instruction. Blue rectangular signs with white pictograms or text are used for mandatory actions.

You may notice how all safety signs in workplaces across the UK follow these regulations. “No smoking” signs are red. Caution of fire signs are yellow. “Fire exit” signs are green. “Hardhats must be worn in this area” signs are blue. SEMA load notices now adhere to these same regulations as well.

What Do SEMA Load Notices Say?

Different racking systems have different load notices, but most follow a similar structure. A typical SEMA load notice outlines the need for regular racking inspection from a SEMA approved inspector, the need to adhere to the SEMA Code of Practice, and the need to contact the supplier of the system if you unsure about anything as yellow warning signs. A mandatory action is given in blue that all damage should be reported to the racking safety officer. Finally, a red sign prohibits climbing on a racking system or altering the racking system. All of this information is listed on the left of the load notice.

On the right of the load notice are the maximum load recommendations for each shelf, as well as the maximum bay load. Bear in mind that the maximum bay load is often less than the sum total of all the shelf loads.

For example, if you have a system with four shelves and each shelf can handle two loads of 1,000kg, but the bay load is 5,000kg, you must make sure that your total bay load is below 5,000kg. Each individual shelf combined might be able to handle 8,000kg, but the bay load is there to tell you how much your whole racking system can handle at one time.

If you have any questions about SEMA load notices, don’t hesitate to contact Storage Equipment Experts. Remember that following the advice given on a SEMA load notice is not a replacement for racking inspection training or expert racking inspections from a SEMA approved racking inspector.

For professional racking inspection services from a SEMA approved racking inspector with acute knowledge of the SEMA Code of Practice, contact Storage Equipment Experts today.