62 | Sector Focus: Handling & Storage
STAY SAFE WITH SEMA The Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association has launched a free guide on racking safety
Above: SEMA is stressing the safety aspect of racking systems
Ever wondered what your legal requirements are when it comes to racking, how to prevent costly downtime from damaged racking, or how to reduce the risk of accidents? If so, the Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) is here to help with the launch of its free Stay Racking Safe guide. The guide outlines the key dos and don’ts of warehouse racking systems along with the practical steps warehouse owners and managers can take to keep employees safe and protect their business.
Free to download from the SEMA website, the guide breaks down the five simple steps you should follow over the lifetime of your racking:
STEP 1: CHECK YOUR SUPPLIERS A flashy website showing lots of photos of impressive racking work does not guarantee safe racking. The only way to be sure your supplier is designing safe racking is to check their credentials – are they working to industry standards, do they have correct insurance documentation in place, do they meet Health & Safety requirements?
TTJ | July/August 2025 |
www.ttjonline.com
STEP 2: RACKING INSTALLATION When your racking arrives on site, the design will include key safety standards that rely on the installer to meet these exact requirements. It only takes an incorrect floor fixing or wrongly positioned tightened fixings according to the manufacturer’s tolerances and it can significantly impact the structural integrity of your racking.
Check your installer has the required skills by asking if they have an industry-recognised qualification such as SEIRS.
STEP 3: LOAD RACKING CORRECTLY Racking is designed to carry maximum loads and overloading or incorrect loading of the shelves can weaken the structure. To avoid this happening, your racking should have a Load Notice affixed to the structure. This important sign informs employees on correct loading weights and practices – make sure your team is trained on how to read the Load Notice.
STEP 4: TRAIN EMPLOYEES Employees working around racking need training to stay safe. Look out for courses
such as SEMA’s Rack Safety Awareness course, which equips them with the skills and knowledge they need.
STEP 5: MEET YOUR RACKING INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS Your inspection process is more detailed than you think:
• Appoint a person responsible for racking safety (PRRS) who’s responsible for racking
safety in the warehouse
• Ask warehouse employees to immediately report racking damage
• Train a team member to conduct visual inspections
• At least once a year, appoint a qualified professional to undertake your expert
inspection – our SEMA Approved Racking Inspectors (SARI) can help with this one.
Make your warehouse a safer place to work by visiting Warehouse Racking Safety Guide | Storage Equipment Manufacturer’s Association Ltd (
https://www.sema.org. uk/warehouse-racking-safety-guide/) and downloading SEMA’s Stay Racking Safe Guide. ■
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