SEMA: Continuing to lead and influence

Activity in the retail sector continues to be strong, as is the economic pressure on all the supply chain partners in this sector. Consolidation into more efficient sites continues to be a key theme and given the sensitive nature of these initiatives they can be subject to high levels of confidentiality and foreshortened processes in the whole procurement activity.

This is generally followed by a desire to accelerate and drive projects harder and faster to completion which generates its own risks in term of actually getting the right solution for the client and delivering those projects in a safe and timely manner. It is not unheard of to find clients and storage supply chain partners to be engaged on site and yet still negotiating final solutions and terms of contract.

In their determination to deliver more services under one umbrella and with shorter lead times, we must ensure that at no stage is there any compromise to safety and that the client gets the right solution for their business, delivered on time.

SEMA continues to define storage industry standards, says SEMA President John Halliday (pictured). Our continuing relationship with statutory bodies and major stakeholders illustrates the need to continually fight unsafe practices. So, I’d like to showcase some examples of SEMA leadership and influence in recent times. We also hold an Annual Standards Seminar where we brief end users, members and industry colleagues on changes in legislative practice.

SEMA’s Technical Committee led in the development of the British Standard Document which redefines archive storage for 21st century. Replacing the 12 year-old standard BS5454:2000, it reviews and explains the key sections of the new British Standard PD5454:2012 ‘Guide for the storage and exhibition of archival materials’ and offers clear guidance for the ideal conditions in which collections should be store.

Most specifically, updated guidance is given on edge deflection of shelving which has been defined as SPAN/200. For mobile shelving, the new document advocates a welcome increase of 25% loading to 4.8kPa per metre of height, which offers a recommended minimum of 15 kPa/m2.

CSCS demands SEIRS labour
On site today, anyone installing storage equipment needs a SEIRS card in order to renew their CSCS status. SEIRS is a best practice example of the industry regulating itself to meet HSE standards. The construction industry’s adoption of SEIRS and subsequent non-negotiable requirement for our trained installers means that through SEMA, we are delivering a safer working environment for installers and end-user employees. Momentum is growing and regulation started formally in 2000 when SEIRS was launched as a way of both registering installers and of providing some basic training on installing storage equipment (mainly racking) in a safe manner.

There are now six SEIRS courses from basic skills through to installation manager and more than 3,000 installers have attended. We are considering setting up a Log Book approach which charts the training and experience of every installer.

So far, SEMA has developed over 300 ‘Tool Box Talks’ (TBT), for the site supervisor to deliver. Take asbestos as an example. The problem which stems back to the 70’s has not gone away as many warehouses and commercial buildings still contain the deadly material. A newly developed TBT gives sound advice, based on HSE guidance, on what do if asbestos is discovered.

In parallel, three years ago, a new membership category within SEMA was launched for SAICs or SEMA Approved Installation Companies with strict membership criteria. Today 18 SAIC companies nationwide have to submit to an annual audit – the equivalent of a school’s OFSTED inspection.

There’s member feedback via the annual conference and best practice is shared e.g. an excellent accident reporting procedure. We aim to steadily raise the bar and in time, a grading system for SAICs is likely.

The most recent group under the SEMA umbrella is the SEMA Distributor Group (SDG). Launched in September 2011, it currently brings together 29 distributor members to collectively raise standards. Members are known as SEMA Distributor Companies (SDCs) and may display the SDC logo on promotional materials and vehicles.

Simon King is the new group’s new chairman and has a clear vision of the SDG’s direction in two ways; firstly for end-users to know that clear blue water exists between SDG members and the rest of the industry as SDG members invest both financially and in their time to deliver service and quality.

Secondly, it’s an old cliché but businesses are only as good as their suppliers. Together, the group will use its collective weight and influence to create better dialogue with manufacturers on service issues. The group has launched the Supplier of the Year Awards for best and most improved suppliers. It will also focus on gathering information on consistently poor performing suppliers and seek dialogue with them at a senior level.

More qualified rack inspectors required
SEMA is looking to increase the number of approved racking inspectors as companies are duty bound to comply with PUWER legislation and the Workplace Health & Safety Welfare Regulations. We currently have some 60+ SEMA Approved Racking Inspectors (SARIs) on our books.

The HSE’s guidance on rack safety to warehouse owners and staff is three fold: immediate reporting of damage and defects; visual inspections at regular intervals; and ‘expert’ inspection to be carried out at intervals by competent persons.

A qualified SARI carries an ID card and can show certification.