Ensure Your Racking Is Safe & Compliant!
Annual inspection must be carried out by a SEMA Approved Rack Inspector. Explain that HSG76 requires a technically competent person and identifies SARI as a recognised specialist route.
HSE recommend that any PRRS has had training specific to racking inspections & rack safety and, in addition, that you should never assume that anybody installing, inspecting, or repairing your racking is qualified to do so. Rather, every business person should be certain that whoever is inspecting their racking is the right person for the job.
With your annual inspection, of course, this means making sure that you are using a SEMA approved racking inspector. With your regular inspection, you might want to ensure that your employees have received racking inspection training from one of our experienced SEMA approved racking inspectors who will attend your site or by booking a place on one of our monthly training courses at our three UK training centres or joining us for an online course.
Beyond these recommendations, HSE also states that employers have a responsibility to maintain “working equipment” (which includes pallet racking) and make sure that it receives an immediate inspection if any damage is suspected. Added to this, we at Storage Equipment Experts also believe that the following factors should be considered to help decide the frequency of your company’s inspections:
Level of forklift activity within the warehouse
Types & quantity of mechanical handling equipment in use (i.e. forklifts etc)
Number of forklift operators and the level of skill/care in their operations
Type and size of the racking installation (one bay of racking or many more)
Levels of damage to the pallet racking
Type and condition of the floor
Temperature in the working environment – ambient, chilled or freezer
What Does HSE Recommend?
HSE recommend a rack inspection at least once a year by a SEMA approved racking inspector.
Regular inspections should be carried out by a company’s nominated Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS).
Any PRRS should have training specific to racking inspections & rack safety.
Never assume anyone installing, inspecting, or repairing racking is qualified – always ensure the right person for the job.
Key Takeaway
At least once every 12 months by a SEMA approved inspector
and regularly by your trained PRRS.
Factors That Influence Inspection Frequency
Beyond HSE recommendations, the following factors should be considered to decide how often your racking should be inspected:
Level of forklift activity within the warehouse.
Types & quantity of mechanical handling equipment in use (i.e. forklifts etc).
Number of forklift operators and the level of skill/care in their operations.
Type and size of the racking installation (one bay of racking or many more).
Levels of damage to the pallet racking.
Type and condition of the floor.
Temperature in the working environment – ambient, chilled or freezer.
Types of Rack Inspections
FAQs
According to HSE guidelines, your pallet racking must undergo a thorough expert inspection at least once every 12 months by a SEMA approved inspector. This must be supplemented by regular internal visual check-ups conducted by your trained PRRS at intervals based on warehouse risk and usage levels.
Official statutory annual assessments must be executed strictly by a certified external professional, such as a SEMA Approved Racking Inspector. Weekly or routine operating logs can be systematically compiled internally by your company’s trained PRRS.
Yes, we specialize in delivering comprehensive RoSPA Assured training programs. Our courses are explicitly engineered to empower your logistics teams with the structural expertise needed to run verified weekly internal checklists and map precise damage controls safely.
Skipping regulatory checks significantly amplifies the risk of catastrophic warehouse structural failures or rack collapse. Additionally, it leads to severe compliance failure under HSE statutory audits, rendering operations liable to heavy corporate fines and severe financial overheads.
An annual professional assessment covers an exhaustive examination of frame upright damage, beam deflection tolerances, floor anchor integrity, out-of-plumb verticality testing, and load safety notice placement. It concludes with an authoritative, traffic-light coded compliance report detailing all necessary repairs.