Posted By ScotsAM Hi, I'm working on drafting our company policy on warehouse racking and inspection ahead of installation. I was wondering if anybody has done this before and what they included in it? I have SEMA Codes of Practice as a reference. Thanks for any assistance that can be given.

Posted By Steve Clark Andy, Ali highlights an excellent publication [HSG76] as Chair of the Warehouse Safety Forum credited with the work on its development i can recommend it. One of the key elements of your policy should be the risk assessment to determine the frequency of inspections both informal and formal. My company operates a daily workplace inspection that includes a walk around in racking areas, weekly racking informal inspection by internal person and a 6 monthly thorough examination by external contractor or where available suitably trained internal person [SEMA]. We operate busy warehouses with high throughput and large numbers of fork lifts thus a higher risk of impact. Combined with upright protection and end protection, FLT operator observations etc this manages the risk. When it comes to reconfiguration, repair etc - it is important to stress the need for properly trained people. You will also need to consider what is being stored in the racking, size, stability, likelihood of low quality pallets or odd sized pallets requiring decking. Cross aisles will also need decking to prevent dislodged pallets/load falling into the cross aisle. Consider emergency evacuation - does the racking create dead ends or does it extend the distance to final exit/safe place? Consider lighting, the light pattern of lamps for racking is different to that for general storage as it needs to cast light down the load area to the floor, and needs to be clear of the top locations so you don't damage it. Consider upright protection carefully, some can hide damage. End protection comes in many styles - i prefer toblerones but that's just my personal choice based upon experience. Aisle width is critical, follow BITA guidance on the calculation for aisle widths. Be aware that changes to loads, pallet size and or fork lift specification will prompt a review of aisle width. Consider in rack sprinklers, is it an insurance requirement? Is the product such that it represents a high fire loading? You will need to consider the correct spacings, flues etc and also that reconfiguration of racking will be expensive as sprinklers must also be altered. Make sure that contractors working on your racking are aware of sprinkler installations - i'm not joking! one warehouse was flooded when the contractor decided to undo a sprinkler flange without first checking it had been isolated. Make sure that racking contractors are monitored - sadly they are all too often caught not obeying their own safe methods of work - use a reputable company. Ensure senior management are on board with acting on green, amber and red reports identified during inspections - there is no defence if left because 'we decided to put off the repairs for a month or so due to cost'. A good start is to attend a SEMA course - they are worth every penny.

Thought I'd share this link with folks responsible for warehouses. Nice starter for your next powerpoint presentation! But I'm wondering was the racking defective or could such a high speed collision cause such a catastrophe to a well-built UK warehouse racking system? JohnW