Racking Inspection Legislation
Understand UK Racking Safety Regulations & Stay Compliant.
Pallet racking is classed as workplace equipment and must be maintained safely. Learn about the legislation, HSE guidance, and inspection requirements that help keep your warehouse safe.
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Ensure Your Racking Is Safe & Compliant!
Current legislation from HSE requires an employer to ensure that pallet racking is inspected on a regular basis and to maintain correct health and safety conditions. Your racking needs to be inspected annually by a SEMA approved racking inspector but also regularly by a “technically competent” employee within your company.
In order to make sure that your employee has the skills needed to inspect your racking, Storage Equipment Experts offer racking inspection services delivered by our SEMA approved racking inspectors. Moreover, HSE requires that appropriate action is taken when any damage or defects to the racking are detected.
Maintaining best practices in your warehouse is crucial for the safety of employees and achieving legal compliance. It also assists the smooth running of warehouses and ultimately improves business.
However, it is not just HSE’s Warehousing and Storage: A Guide to Health and Safety that recommends regular racking inspections by a SEMA approved racking inspector. Pallet racking is classed as “work equipment” and is therefore subject to a regular pallet racking inspection under current Health and Safety Legislation.
Work equipment also needs to be inspected “at suitable intervals” and any time that “exceptional circumstances” mean that the equipment could be damaged.
For racking, HSE recommend SEMA approved racking inspectors for the installation, repair, and maintenance of your racking. An inspection from a SEMA approved racking inspector is the safest and best option for your warehouse, so contact Storage Equipment Experts for a quote or information on our training courses and inspection services delivered by SEMA Approved Inspectors.
Understanding Racking Inspection Legislation
Warehouse racking systems support heavy loads every day. Therefore, keeping them safe is an important responsibility for every business.
Although there is no single law called the “Racking Inspection Act”, several UK regulations and safety guidelines apply to pallet racking systems.
These regulations require employers to ensure that workplace equipment is:
- Safe to use
- Properly maintained
- Regularly inspected
- Managed by competent people
Following these requirements helps reduce workplace risks, protect employees, and maintain warehouse operations.
What Legislation Covers Pallet Racking Inspections?
Identify the type of racking installed in your warehouse.
PUWER 1998
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations
Pallet racking is considered work equipment under PUWER. Employers must ensure equipment is maintained and inspected regularly.
HSE Guidance HSG76
Warehousing and Storage Safety Guidance
HSE recommends regular inspections to identify damage, defects, and safety risks within warehouse storage systems.
SEMA Guidelines
Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association
SEMA provides recognised industry guidance for safe racking use, inspection procedures, and damage assessment.
EN 15635 Standard
Steel Static Storage Systems
This standard recommends regular expert inspections to ensure warehouse racking remains safe and suitable.
Why Is Legal Compliance Important?
Ignoring racking safety requirements can create serious risks for employees and businesses.
Benefits of regular compliance:
Prevent Workplace Accidents
Identify damaged racking before failures occur.
Protect Employees
A safe warehouse reduces risks caused by falling loads or collapsing structures.
Avoid Business Disruption
Regular inspections help prevent unexpected repairs and operational delays.
Maintain Safety Standards
Compliance demonstrates that your business takes workplace safety seriously.

SEMA Approved Racking Inspectors
Our SEMA-certified inspectors provide independent, professional racking inspections across the UK & Ireland, ensuring your systems are safe, compliant and fit for use.
Certified Professionals
Highly trained and experienced inspectors.
Detailed Reports
Clear independent findings and actionable advice.
Safety Compliance
Aligned strictly with SEMA & HSE standards.
Google Reviews
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Verry informative
John Mason
March 19, 2026Well presented,very informative
Alison Noble
January 14, 2026Really engaging and interesting training. Has given me lots of confidence in an area I am inexperienced in. Highly recommend
greg shepherd
February 2, 2026 -
Excellent course. Very well presented. Very interesting information.I didnt even fall asleep, and I was awake until midnight the previous night completing an online exam.
shirley-ann keith
January 15, 2026Learned a lot of things that I didn't think of, instructor was very good with learning and a bit of a laugh as well
Andrew Ewan
January 15, 2026enjoyed the couse . well delivered considering there is alot of content
Victor Mcgregor
February 12, 2026 -
I fine it hard to do stuff like the on line but I think I have learnt a bit more about the level of damage ect
brian dear
March 3, 2026Perry hosted an amazing racking inspection session was very engaging and educational can't wait for the maintenance course
Harsimran Talwar
February 2, 2026Very informative racking inspection course by perry lamprell
Luke Koener
January 15, 2026
FAQs
The main guidance includes:
- PUWER 1998
- HSE HSG76
- SEMA guidance
- EN 15635
