Pallet Racking Safety (Top Industry Standards)
Pallet racking systems are integral to many warehouses, retail spaces, and distribution centres across the UK, enabling efficient use of space and organised storage. There are, however, lots of health and safety considerations when it comes to these solutions as well as the environment they’re placed in. Falling products, slipping, improper loading, machinery and more are […] The post Pallet Racking Safety (Top Industry Standards) appeared first on The Warehouse Racking Company.
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Pallet racking systems are integral to many warehouses, retail spaces, and distribution centres across the UK, enabling efficient use of space and organised storage.
There are, however, lots of health and safety considerations when it comes to these solutions as well as the environment they’re placed in. Falling products, slipping, improper loading, machinery and more are all hazards that could cause problems.
As a result there are industry standards in place to try and prevent these issues.
In this blog, we will cover key regulations and explain why they’re essential:
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA)
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998
- British Standards for Pallet Racking (BS EN 15635:2008)
- Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Guidelines
- Workplace Health, Safety, and Welfare Regulations 1992
- Risk Assessments and Safety Audits
- Training and Maintenance
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Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA)
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the foundational legislation governing health and safety in the workplace across the UK. It basically covers guidelines on maintaining a safe working environment for employees.
The Act commands that employers provide a secure working environment, which extends to proper maintenance and safe operation of pallet racking systems.
Under the HSWA, employers must assess risks associated with pallet racking, check and maintain their racking and have staff adequately trained in how to safely load and unload the system.
If you’re found not to be compliant then trouble can come in the form of fines or even imprisonment.
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998
The Provisions and Use of Work Equipment standards specifically address the use of equipment, including pallet racking, within workplaces.
These regulations require that all work equipment is suitable for use, is maintained properly and is used by workers with proper training and supervision.
In relation to pallet racking, PUWER emphasises that they must be structurally sound and meet necessary safety standards for regular use.
Businesses should conduct routine inspections and perform timely repairs when damage is detected.
British Standards for Pallet Racking (BS EN 15635:2008)
BS EN 15635:2008 is the UK standard specifically focused on “steel static storage systems.” This standard outlines the rules for safe use, inspection, and maintenance of pallet racking systems.
It requires periodic inspections and provides guidelines for identifying damage, reporting it, and implementing repairs.
Essentially, ensure your business is carrying out annual inspections from a qualified person or company, that you’re doing regular in-house checks and that any visible damages are categorised.
Compliance with BS EN 15635 enhances operational safety and helps to prevent accidents in relation to racking integrity.
Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Guidelines
The Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) is a key regulatory body in the UK that sets guidelines and standards for the design, installation, and inspection of pallet racking systems.
Following SEMA guidelines ensures that racking systems are constructed and maintained to withstand daily warehouse operations safely.
Recommendations from the guidelines include to use clear signage of maximum load capacities, to have only qualified people erecting the pallet racking and to carry out inspections annually by experts.
Workplace Health, Safety, and Welfare Regulations 1992
These regulations provide specific requirements for maintaining safe working conditions, which extend to the use and maintenance of pallet racking systems.
Workplace Health, Safety, and Welfare Regulations stipulate that the workplace must be properly maintained, including storage equipment like racking systems.
There must be adequate lighting, ventilation, and clear walkways in the building. And of course, there must be emergency escape routes clearly marked.
Compliance with these regulations minimises the risk of workplace accidents and helps maintain a safer working environment overall.
Risk Assessments and Safety Audits
Risk assessments and safety audits are essential to maintaining safety standards in pallet racking because they identify and mitigate potential hazards before they lead to accidents.
Being proactive in this way can save you a lot of stress and problems down the line.
Regular assessments enable businesses to address issues such as overloading, structural damage, or improper stacking with your pallet racking.
Additionally, routine audits ensure compliance with UK standards, such as those from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and SEMA, helping businesses avoid legal issues.
Training and Maintenance
Proper training is one of the most effective ways to prevent pallet racking accidents.
All personnel involved in loading, unloading, or operating pallet racking systems should be trained on a series of things.
These include; safe handling techniques, identifying and reporting damages, understanding the racking layout and maximum laid capacities and how to follow emergency procedures.
Training can be carried out by a regulated and qualified consultant.
Contact The Warehouse Racking Company
Hopefully, this blog has shed some light on some regulations and standards to be aware of in relation to pallet racking and general health and safety too.
It’s crucial to keep on top of this because a safer environment reaps many benefits for everyone.
There are of course lots of other legislations to look into so perhaps we’ll cover these in another blog.
If you’d like more information then please feel free to get in touch with our experts as we’d love to support you.
Call us today on 0800 4880 785 or use the contact form on our website and we’ll be with you promptly.
We look forward to hearing from you soon here at The Warehouse Racking Company.
The post Pallet Racking Safety (Top Industry Standards) appeared first on The Warehouse Racking Company.
