Warehouse Rack Storage Systems – How to Maximise Your Investment With SEMA

Warehouse Rack Storage Systems - How to Maximise Your Investment With SEMA

In the fast-moving world of logistics and warehousing, it’s easy to overlook the importance of your warehouse rack storage systems. Once installed the asset performs its job and is usually forgotten. However, have you considered if your pallet racking investment is working hard for your business.

In the warehouse, racking systems form the backbone of storage operations, not only playing a role central to enhancing the operational efficiency and profitability of the warehouse but also upholding employee safety. When you get the correct racking for your warehouse space, with the optimum design, it creates an efficient warehouse environment with maximum storage capacity that is also 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. This is because each stage is intrinsically linked, and you cannot deliver on one element without keeping safety and quality central to all decisions.

However, get the correct types of pallet racking with an optimised design in place and it can boost your storage efficiency and increase in storage capacity.

Warehouse Rack 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. However, in the UK, there are several regulatory frameworks in place that underscore the need for proactive safety measures. For instance, 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: a guide to health and safety  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.

Warehouse Rack Storage Systems - Productivity

Effective warehouse racking begins at the design stage, with the optimum type of pallet racking tailored to the specific needs of a facility.

Whether managing additional storage density for retail operations or supporting rapid stock turnover in e-commerce, the pallet racking solution must ensure adequate load bearing capacity for the weight and sizes of product, other handling equipment in the space, and throughput requirements.

Not all pallet racking solutions 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, designers can ensure the quality of your racking system by adhering 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 warehouse storage solution 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.

Warehouse Rack Storage Systems - 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 correct type of pallet rack, correct design and high-quality materials, improper installation can compromise the entire system. Incorrectly installing the racking severely reduces the structural safety of your equipment and leads to 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 rack 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.

Warehouse Employee Training

To maximise employee safety your 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 load capacity is never exceeded and reporting and recording damage levels. They should maintain a written record of the findings.

Warehouse Racking Inspection

To complete the process, you must undertake an annual safety check known as the Expert Inspection. A trained inspector, such as a SEMA Approved Rack Inspector (SARI) must conduct this. 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.

SEMA members are experts in warehouse storage space. They can can take your warehouse space and create a versatile racking solution for your business. By choosing the correct pallet racking for the job and filling your vertical space they offer multiple benefits including extra storage, enhanced warehouse management, efficient warehouse operations and maximised productivity. At the same time they closely follow SEMA guidance to ensure your racking and warehouse are safe environments to work.

Get In Touch With SEMA

If you’d like more advice about working with a SEMA member, contact us by emailing [email protected] or completing our contact form.