Racking Inspections
Your racking is installed and operational in your warehouse – but this is only the start of the journey. Keeping your warehouse operations safe and compliant now relies on regular pallet racking inspections. A process that starts with your employees on the warehouse floor with internal inspections and extends right through to the annual Expert inspection.
Why do I need to have my racking inspected annually?
Every day there is the potential for your racking to get damaged. It could be through forklift trucks moving around the space, pallets loaded and unloaded from the structure or even general wear and tear. Identifying the problems early on is key. The longer you leave the damage unchecked, the greater the chance of it leading to a failure of the storage system.
That is why HSE guidance recommend inspecting work equipment – this includes your racking and shelving systems. First, appoint a PRRS (Person Responsible Racking Safety) who will ensure you are meeting your racking obligations, every day ask employees to report if they find damage and then every week a trained member of your team must conduct the Visual Inspection.
The final piece in the puzzle is your annual inspection. These Expert Inspectors perform an in-depth structural check on your shelving and racking systems to identify if damage is present on the equipment. Conducting these inspections will keep your warehouse safe, operational and help you to reduce costs.
At Teepee, our racking inspections help protect your people, your stock and your business – giving you the confidence that your warehouse is safe and compliant.
Will I invalidate my insurance if I don’t get my annual inspection?
An annual inspection is essential for keeping your workplace safe and operational. Yet it is also important for ensuring your business is protected and compliant.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment (PUWER) and Health and Safety at Work Act both mandate that you undertake regular inspections of work equipment. While HSG76 Warehousing and Storage: A Guide to Health and Safety and SEMA guidance both offer detailed information on the inspection process.
You also risk insurers invalidating your policies if you cannot demonstrate a record of inspections and that correct remedial action has been taken. If an inspection identifies damage on the structure, it is your responsibility to ensure the work is completed, otherwise you risk severe penalties from the HSE.
What’s involved in an annual racking inspection?
Your Expert Inspection, also known as the annual inspection, is a detailed examination of your warehouse racking and storage systems. The inspection will check your storage equipment has been installed correctly, is structurally sound and identify any damage or deterioration. It will also highlight any issues that may lead to more serious situations that could pose a danger to your staff.
The annual inspection can only be undertaken by a qualified professional such as our SEMA Approved Racking Inspectors (SARI).
During the inspection, we will:
- Examine all pallet racking components for structural integrity and stability
- Check your warehouse racking systems are compatible with your warehouse equipment
- Identify impact damage and missing or incorrect components
- Check load notices are where they should be, are accurate, and clearly displayed
- Assess whether the pallet racking is being used correctly and within its design limits
- Highlight any areas of concern that could pose a safety or compliance risk
Clear annual inspection reporting (that is easy to act on)
Our inspection reports are designed to be practical and easy to follow.
Within the report you will get:
A structured overview of your racking condition
Photos to support all findings
Clear guidance on what needs attention
Recommendations that line up with industry best practice
Expert Racking Report:
Most importantly, our Expert Inspection report will provide you with a traffic light system that identifies the severity of the racking damage. We also provide you with a timescale for the repairs, helping you to plan future work and costs.
Get your Racking Inspection Service Booked Today.
Get your inspection done by the professionals
Formal racking inspections need to be carried out by a trained inspector. As a SEMA Approved Member – Advanced you can be sure that Teepee remains informed about industry best practice and warehouse safety standards. As a member of the Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA), the leading voice on storage equipment safety, we also commit to only working with SEMA Approved Rack Inspectors (SARI).
To earn their SARI qualification, our racking inspectors must undertake comprehensive training courses that verifies they have the knowledge and engineering skills to undertake racking safety inspections in accordance with SEMA guidelines. They are also committed to undertaking Continuing Professional Development and attend a SARI refresher course every five years.
Our nationwide team of SARI inspectors have extensive experience working in live warehouse environments that deliver peace of mind for your business. Following a thorough on-site inspection service, our inspectors will debrief relevant supervisors or managers, highlighting any areas that may require immediate attention or remedial action. We also offer independent recommendations and solutions should any additional issues be identified during the rack safety inspection process.
Why not book an inspection with one of our SARI inspectors today
Book Your Racking Inspection
Are you ready to get your inspection booked in? Whether you operate a small warehouse or a larger distribution centre, Teepee can provide what you need.
For more information or to get a free quote, give us a call on: 01384 256969 or complete our online enquiry form.
Let’s take the next step towards a safer warehouse.