Pallet Racking Safety Requirements

Accidents in warehousing and the storage industry have quite a high rate of accidents and injuries compared to other industries.  The only way to reduce these accidents is by prevention.  2023 needs to be the year that the warehouse becomes a safer place to work.  There are only benefits to companies from carrying out regular inspections.

Pallet racking systems should be inspected at least once a year by a qualified inspector. More frequently if the system is subject to heavy use or there is any indication of damage or wear.  Safety inspections should be seen as a continuous process and not a one-time event.  Regular inspections, preventative maintenance and good housekeeping can help to identify potential hazards early and prevent accidents from occurring.

The warehousing and storage industry is considered to have a relatively high rate of accidents and injuries compared to other industries. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in the period of 2018/2019, the warehousing and storage sector had a rate of non-fatal injuries to workers of 4.4 per 100,000 workers, which is higher than the overall rate for all industries of 2.8 per 100,000 workers.

Common causes of accidents in warehouses include:

• Slips, trips and falls, often due to uneven flooring or obstacles in walkways
• Being struck by falling objects, often due to poor stacking or overloading of materials
• Manual handling injuries, often due to lifting or moving heavy or bulky items
• Vehicle-related incidents, often due to poor training or inadequate supervision of forklift operators
• Injuries caused by defective or poorly maintained equipment, such as pallet racking or conveyor systems.

It’s important to keep in mind that these statistics are based on reported accidents and injuries, and the actual number of incidents may be higher due to underreporting. Therefore, it’s important to implement safety measures and regular inspections to prevent accidents and injuries, and to ensure compliance with regulations.

Pallet Racking Safety Regulations

In the United Kingdom, the safety regulations for pallet racks are set by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Storage Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (SEMA).  These regulations cover the design, installation, and maintenance of pallet racking systems.

Some key regulations include:

• Racks must be designed and installed to support the weight of the materials that will be stored on them.
• Racks must be anchored securely to the floor to prevent them from tipping over.
• Racks must be regularly inspected for signs of damage or wear, and any damaged parts must be repaired or replaced immediately.
• Racks must be loaded and unloaded safely, with proper training for those who will be handling the materials.
• Racks should be labeled with maximum load capacity, and the users should be informed of that.

It is important to comply with these regulations to ensure the safety of workers and to prevent accidents and damage to the facility. It is also important to keep records of regular inspections, maintenance, and any repairs, to demonstrate compliance with the regulations.

Benefits of Safety Inspections

Pallet racking safety inspections can provide a number of benefits, including:

Improved safety

Regular inspections can identify potential hazards and safety risks, such as damaged or worn parts, overloaded racks, or improperly loaded materials. This can help prevent accidents and injuries to workers, and protect the facility and its contents from damage.

Compliance with regulations

Regular inspections can ensure that the racking system is in compliance with UK safety regulations.  These are set by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Storage Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (SEMA).  Non-compliance can lead to fines and penalties.

Increased efficiency

Properly maintained and inspected racks can help improve the efficiency of the warehouse or facility, by ensuring that materials can be stored and accessed safely and easily.

Cost savings

Regular inspections can identify potential problems before they become serious.  Therefore making savings on costs for repairs, replacements, or accidents.

Improved Business Image

Demonstrating compliance with safety regulations can improve the company’s reputation and relationships with employees, customers, and regulators.

Better insurance terms

Regular safety inspections are often required by insurance companies to provide better terms.  If an accident occurs, the inspections can serve as evidence that the company did everything possible to prevent it.

It’s important to keep records of all safety inspections, maintenance and repairs. This is to demonstrate compliance with safety regulations and to have a reference for future inspections.

To arrange a pallet racking inspection in your warehouse call us on 01937 585057 or use the form below:

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