Who Should Carry Out a Racking Inspection?

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Who Should Carry Out a Racking Inspection?

Ensuring Racking Safety with SEMA Approved Racking Inspectors:

In any warehouse or industrial setting, racking inspections play a crucial role in maintaining workplace safety, legal compliance, and operational efficiency. But with so many different training courses and certifications available, how can you be sure that the person inspecting your racking is truly qualified?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), through its official guidance HSG76, recommends that racking inspections be carried out at least once every 12 months by a technically competent person. This guideline, developed in collaboration with the Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA), helps businesses uphold strict health and safety standards in warehouses.

At A-Z Rack Inspections Ltd, we provide SEMA Approved Racking Inspectors (SARI) who are fully certified to conduct comprehensive and compliant racking inspections, giving businesses the confidence they need in their warehouse safety.

Who Qualifies as a "Technically Competent Person"?

According to HSE HSG76, a technically competent person is someone with the necessary training, experience, and qualifications to conduct thorough racking inspections. This means they must be able to:

✅ Identify structural damage, defects, and risks within the racking system.
✅ Assess compliance with PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) and HSE safety standards.
✅ Provide expert recommendations for remedial action.
✅ Deliver a detailed inspection report outlining safety classifications, following SEMA’s RAG (Red, Amber, Green) risk system.

Who does NOT qualify?
🚫 General warehouse staff with no formal racking inspection training.
🚫 Individuals who have completed only a basic rack awareness course.
🚫 Unverified inspectors who claim "SEMA training" but lack SARI certification.

To ensure compliance, always verify an inspector’s credentials via the SEMA website or request to see their official SEMA ID card.

What is a SEMA Approved Racking Inspector (SARI)?

A SEMA Approved Racking Inspector (SARI) is a professional who has undergone extensive training and assessment to qualify as a certified racking inspector. This is the highest level of accreditation for warehouse racking inspections in the UK.

At A-Z Rack Inspections Ltd, our SARI-certified professionals have completed an intensive certification process that includes:

✔ Comprehensive training on racking structures, materials, and failure risks.
✔ Written exams and practical assessments to demonstrate technical expertise.
✔ Continuous professional development (CPD) to stay updated with evolving safety regulations.
✔ Random quality assessments by SEMA’s technical committee, including submission of inspection reports for verification.

By choosing a SEMA Approved Racking Inspector, you guarantee that your racking inspection meets the highest safety and compliance standards.

Why Should Business Owners Be Cautious?

The HSE specifically warns against assuming that anyone handling, installing, or inspecting racking is automatically competent. As a business owner or warehouse manager, it is your responsibility to verify that the individual carrying out the inspection is fully qualified.

• Some companies claim to have "SEMA-trained" personnel, but this does NOT always mean they are fully certified SARIs.

• Some inspectors have only attended a basic awareness course, which does not meet HSE’s definition of technical competence.

How to Verify a Qualified Inspector

🔍 Check the official SEMA website for a list of accredited inspectors.
🔍 Request to see the SEMA ID card of the inspector before hiring them.
🔍 Look for clear evidence of training, experience, and assessment.

When it comes to racking inspections, cutting corners is not an option. Failure to ensure proper qualifications could leave your business exposed to legal liability, compliance failures, and serious safety risks.

What Happens During a Racking Inspection?

A qualified SARI inspector from A-Z Rack Inspections Ltd will:

1. Conduct a full visual inspection of all racking systems.

2. Identify damage, wear, and potential hazards in uprights, beams, baseplates, bracing, and locking pins.

3. Check compliance with SEMA, PUWER, and HSE regulations.

4. Use SEMA’s RAG classification system to categorise risks:

🔴 Red Risk – Immediate danger. Racking must be offloaded and repaired immediately.
🟠 Amber Risk – Requires action within four weeks to prevent further deterioration.
🟢 Green Risk – Minor damage that should be monitored.

5. Provide a detailed, legally compliant report outlining findings and recommendations.

By having a certified SARI inspector, businesses ensure that all safety risks are identified, documented, and addressed in compliance with UK law.

The Consequences of Using an Unqualified Inspector:

• Risk of Racking Failure & Collapses – A minor issue, if missed, can lead to catastrophic collapses, endangering staff and inventory.

• Non-Compliance with HSE & PUWER – Failure to comply can result in fines, legal action, or operational shutdowns.

• Invalid Insurance Claims – If an accident occurs and your inspection wasn’t conducted by a qualified SEMA inspector, insurers may refuse to cover damages or injuries.

✅ Solution: Always use a SEMA Approved Racking Inspector (SARI) for professional, legally compliant, and industry-recognised inspections.

Why Choose A-Z Rack Inspections Ltd?

At A-Z Rack Inspections Ltd, we provide:

✔ Fully accredited SEMA Approved Racking Inspectors (SARIs).
✔ Expert assessments that comply with HSE, PUWER, and SEMA standards.
✔ Clear, detailed inspection reports with practical recommendations.
✔ Nationwide coverage – Serving warehouses of all sizes across the UK.
✔ Professional, independent inspections with no vested interest in selling racking repairs.

💡 Need a racking inspection from a trusted expert?

If you have any questions about our services or products, please contact A-Z Rack Inspections Ltd over the phone at 07947 886161 or email via sales@a-zrackinspections.co.uk.

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With over 25 years of experience, our SEMA Approved Racking Inspectors offer nationwide racking inspection and training.