Racking is an investment

IN REALITY, racking systems form the backbone of storage operations playing a role central to enhancing the efficiency and profitability of the warehouse and upholding employee safety. Get the correct racking for your warehouse, with the optimum design, and it creates an efficient warehouse that maximises storage potential and creates a safe environment.

Yet, in an oversaturated market, how can warehouse owners determine which suppliers will deliver a racking system that meets their long list of requirements?

Setting up a warehouse

It can be challenging to set up a warehouse. That empty unit requires a racking system which delivers on three main factors: industry regulations, productivity and safety. Meeting these requirements needs a holistic approach which extends over the lifetime of your equipment. Each stage is intrinsically linked, and you cannot deliver on one element without keeping safety and quality central to all decisions.

For over 50 years SEMA, the Storage Equipment Manufacturer’s Association, has been an industry-leading voice on the safe design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of warehouse racking and shelving systems. SEMA sets the gold standard in racking safety through its rigorous codes of practice and technical documents. Our work covers the lifetime of your equipment. Starting with industry-leading guidance developed by our Technical Committee through to the design, manufacture and supply of your system. Together with training, installation and inspection initiatives our work provides a framework for safe storage systems.

Industry regulations

As a warehouse owner, it’s easy to think the racking supplier is responsible for checking the equipment works as intended and meets industry regulations. Yet in the UK, there are several regulatory frameworks in place which underscore the need for proactive safety measures. Most of these expect warehouse owners to check the credentials of racking suppliers, installers and inspectors.

When it comes to details about your racking installation, you need to be aware that there are guidelines which specifically relate to equipment. The first is HSG76 Warehousing and Storage which covers all aspects of your racking and regularly references the work of SEMA. The second are SEMA codes which ensure racking products meet quality and safety standards. 

It is not a legal requirement to follow these guidance documents. However, if you fail to meet your legislative requirements and HSE were to take enforcement action they can use the HSG76 and SEMA Design Codes frameworks to bring action against your business.

Productivity

Effective warehouse racking begins at the design phase, with storage systems tailored to the specific needs of a facility. Whether managing high-density storage for retail operations or supporting rapid stock turnover in e-commerce, the racking must accommodate product weight, handling equipment, and throughput requirements.

Not all racking systems are created equal, and engaging a supplier who cuts corners during the design phase can lead to not only costly consequences but also a system which is dangerous. This is where Design Codes step in. These specialist documents have a simple purpose, to make sure your racking works correctly with the other equipment and fulfils the desired requirements. Within the UK, quality assurance of your racking system comes when it has been designed to either the SEMA Code or the European Code EN 15512.

Of course, getting the correct design goes hand in hand with storage equipment manufactured to the highest standards. When you purchase a storage system from one of our manufacturing members, you know you are buying some of the best in the market. We independently test the products of our manufacturing members to ensure they meet our recognised Quality Assurance System and guarantee a structural engineer has designed the product to SEMA or EN Codes.

Safety

An integral part of SEMA’s work is to ensure our members uphold the highest safety measures throughout the design and supply process. Yet, even with the best design and high-quality materials, improper installation can compromise the entire system. If the racking is not correctly installed, it will severely reduce the structural safety of your equipment and result in unnecessary remedial costs. That is why SEMA established the SEIRS initiative which trains in installation best practices and safety standards to give you confidence the racking will perform as intended. 

Once in place, regular inspections are key to identifying problems. Racking installations are highly stressed pieces of engineering and daily they can be subjected to high loads, impacts and minor collisions. HSG76 guidance recommends implementing a tiered system and references SEMA's inspection programme. Failing to meet these requirements not only puts you at risk of failing to meet industry regulations but may risk invalidating your commercial insurance policy.

Your warehouse staff should attend training, such as SEMA’s Rack Safety Awareness course (RSA), which instructs on how to identify and report damage to the equipment. Our RSA course also prepares a member of your team to take on the role of Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS). The PRRS will perform weekly visual inspections which check Load Notices are fixed to the racking, maximum loads are never exceeded and reporting and recording damage levels. They should maintain a written record of the findings.

The process is completed with an annual ‘expert’ inspection by a trained inspector such as a SEMA Approved Rack Inspector (SARI). Their report will provide clear guidance on the condition of your equipment and use a traffic light system to indicate actions required and recommended timescales for corrective action.

Why choose a SEMA member

In an industry where there are few barriers to entry for suppliers of storage equipment, it pays dividends to ensure you check the credentials of your racking company. This process can be lengthy but is necessary to ensure you meet legislative requirements. 

To help warehouse owners, SEMA works to raise the quality and safety standards of their suppliers and manufacturers. Our membership is made up of SEMA Approved Manufacturers – Full Members, SEMA Associate Members, SEMA Approved Members and SEMA Approved Members – Advanced. Any company that displays a SEMA badge has already demonstrated they work to current industry guidance and legislation and meet our high standards. Whether it’s through independent assessments of their products and services or completing one of our rigorous training courses.