Why use a SEMA member?
A SEMA member can ensure you meet your legal duty. Did you know that as a company you are legally obliged to ensure that any pallet racking installed in their warehouses are serviceable, fit for purpose and certificated as such by a competent person?
The responsibility for storing hundreds of tonnes of pallets above working colleagues’ heads is a serious one with potentially severe consequences and there are harsh penalties imposed on those who flout the law.
It is the duty of employers to ensure that they meet the following regulations:
- CDM 2015 states that clients are now regarded as the head of the procurement chain and the major influence on project standards and culture.
- It is the duty of employers under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to ensure that all operators they employ, both new and existing, are adequately trained and competent
- There is a requirement under PUWER for all work equipment to be regularly maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. to ensure that your warehouse meets all health and safety legislative requirements
SEMA’s groups are interrelated to support employers and warehouse operatives every step of the way.
Safety
Racking collapse and subsequent potential prosecution are simple to avoid. Where there is a safety culture and that correct protocols for inspection, maintenance and repair exist. SEMA works closely with the HSE, we regard “recognized standards” as those which we have established as best practice and are enshrined in SEMA’s Codes of Practice and Guidelines. As a SEMA member the latest safety standards are upheld. SEMA members are best placed to provide advice in a fast-moving manufacturing environment.
Insurance
Using a SEMA member and approved provider for racking installation, inspection and maintenance ensures that your warehouse insurer can be satisfied that you are taking seriously your employee’s safety and responsibility. A racking owner you should nominate a Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS). If Health & Safety good practice are not in place in your workplace it could possibly invalidate your insurance putting your finances at risk as well as your employee’s safety.
Preventive maintenance
Rack safety inspections are required to prevent and minimise the effects of accidents. And to comply with the requirements of PUWER 1998 and to promote safety in the workplace. SEMA supports a rigorous approach to rack inspections. This checks the condition of the equipment and identify repair work, comply with legal requirements, and verify that the equipment has been installed correctly. Warehouse managers should adopt three levels of inspection, immediate, or daily inspection, regular or weekly inspection and the ‘expert’ (annual) inspection which needs to be carried out by SEMA Approved Inspectors or trained specialist.
Approved by SEMA
Under the remit of due diligence, we seek to prove that SEMA products are some of the very best on the market. SEMA members are compelled to continuously engage in independent product design assessments and actively help you mitigate risk and from a broad base. Each SEMA member contributes to a central repository of intelligence leading to continual improvement which is shared appropriately among the membership.
Team awareness
SEMA’s guidance has been diligently thought through from project specification, through design, manufacture, distribution, installation and maintenance involving SAICS and SEIRS personnel. A SEMA member works to relevant codes and are routinely, independently audited to meet our stringent QA criteria. A correctly designed, manufactured, installed and inspected pallet racking systems from SEMA Members are robust and will deliver on longevity.
