How do Inspections of Pallet Racking Work?
Health and Safety England (HSE) recommend getting pallet racking checked by a professional annually to prevent any accidents. Weekly inspections are also recommended but this can be done by a trained employee. Lots of companies offer training on this – just make sure it’s up to SEMA’s standard! Here are some benefits to training employees in racking safety: https://www.rackingspares.co.uk/blog/post/racking-inspection-training-for-employees-why-it-s-important.html
Expert inspections use a traffic light system to identify risks. Each part of the racking is given a colour rating which is linked to its level of safety.
Red Risk
A red risk means the weight on this racking must be off-loaded immediately. It’s beyond the safety regulations of SEMA and is not safe to use as it stands. The racking must be removed from where it stands and isolated so it is no longer in use. Then this can be replaced or fixed back up to safety standard.
Amber Risk
An amber risk means, although racking doesn’t have to be off-loaded immediately, there is still a medium level safety risk and should be off-loaded within 4 weeks (after the inspection). This racking should not be used again until repair work has occurred.
Green Risk
A green risk may sound like your racking is all fine but being labelled as a green risk means racking is damaged a small amount but is still within the SEMA code.
Green risk racking can continue to be used but should be ear-marked and recorded as such. These items should be recognised as possible hazards in the future and will need monitoring often.
For more information on managing the safety of pallet racking, here’s a short guide from Health and Safety England: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg412.pdf
