Racking Inspections Manchester
Specialist racking inspections in Manchester. Stay safe, stay compliant. Help ensure your warehouse meets HSE & SEMA guidelines with reliable racking inspections from certified experts. Book your inspection today!
Why Choose Us for Racking Inspections in Manchester?
When it comes to warehouse safety, scheduled racking inspections are crucial to minimise accidents, structural issues, and non-compliance with HSE & SEMA standards.
At UK Rack Inspection, we carry out expert racking inspections in Manchester, working with teams like yours to ensure safe, compliant, and optimised storage systems.
At UK Rack Inspection, we’ve become known for providing trusted, professional racking inspections across the UK.
Here’s why businesses in Manchester trust us:
- Over 30 years of industry experience
- SEMA Approved Racking Inspectors for Pallet Racking & Cantilever Racking
- Local with Nationwide coverage
- Clear and concise reporting
- Fully compliant to the latest HSE & SEMA regulations
- Independent inspections & training provider
- Mezzanine floor inspections undertaken
- Cold Store Racking Inspections
- Inspections tailored to your requirements - monthly to annually
What Does a Racking Inspection in Manchester Include?
Our comprehensive racking inspections ensure your storage system is fit for use, fully compliant with regulations, and suited to your operational demands.
During our inspection, we inspect:
- Structural Integrity: Checking for damage, rust, and misalignment.
- Load Compliance: Ensuring weight capacities are not exceeded.
- Safety & Stability: Identifying risks that could cause collapses.
- Racking Components: Beams, uprights, braces, and fixings.
- Damage Categorisation: Using SEMA’s traffic light system.
Every inspection is followed by a detailed report, highlighting any issues, suggested next steps, and your level of compliance.
Customers We Have Carried Out Inspections For
Key Advantages of Racking Inspection
- Stay Compliant with HSE & SEMA Guidelines
- Prevention of Costly Downtime
- Safeguard Your Team and Goods
- Expert Damage Assessment & Repairs
Each inspection is followed by a comprehensive report, identifying any issues, recommended actions, and an overview of your compliance status.
Do You Need a Racking Inspection in Manchester?
In Manchester, any business operating with pallet racking systems is obliged to carry out scheduled inspections under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). This applies to all industries where racking is used for stock handling, including but not limited to:
- Commercial Warehouses
- Production Facilities
- Distribution Centres & Logistics Hubs
- Secure Storage Sites
- Retail & Wholesale Businesses (e.g., backroom storage areas)
- Online Retail Fulfilment Hubs
- Any business with racking, even if not listed above (e.g., workshops, small-scale storage)
Why Scheduling Racking Inspections in Manchester Matters
The PUWER regulations require businesses to ensure work equipment (including racking) is kept in a safe condition, regularly maintained, and inspected by a competent person. Inspections are essential to prevent collapses, injuries, and costly operational disruptions.
What’s at Stake Without Proper Inspections:
- HSE Fines: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can issue large fines.
- Safety Hazards: Damaged racking poses serious risks to staff safety or fatalities.
- Operational Downtime: Failure could lead to unplanned shutdown until repairs are made.
Inspection Frequency:
- Annual inspections by a competent professional are best practice.
- Weekly/monthly visual checks by designated in-house personnel should support formal inspections.
Racking Manufacturers We Commonly Inspect
Manchester: A Thriving Industrial Hub Requiring Safe and Compliant Racking
Manchester’s extensive industrial and logistics network, including warehouses, distribution centres, and manufacturing facilities, relies on safe, compliant racking systems to maintain efficiency and safety in daily operations. Ensuring regular racking inspections is essential to meet HSE regulations and SEMA safety standards.
With businesses spanning across Manchester, Trafford Park, Salford, Ancoats, Ardwick, Cheetham Hill, Openshaw, Stockport, and surrounding areas, maintaining racking integrity is crucial to preventing workplace accidents and ensuring compliance.
Act Now to Safeguard Your Operations
Don’t wait for a failure - UK Rack Inspection serves Manchester and the wider North West, including Bolton, Wigan, Rochdale, Oldham, Bury, Warrington, Stockport, and beyond.
Our Commitment
- Safety and Compliance: We ensure the compatibility and suitability of your storage equipment with the highest safety standards.
- Expert Guidance: We provide guidance on rack-related health and safety issues, keeping you updated with regulations and helping you address areas showing signs of repetitive damages before they require replacement components.
- Load Suitability: We assess the pallet and pallet load suitability on-site, ensuring everything is in line with current configurations and manufacturer specifications.
- Health & Safety: Our inspections help you achieve and maintain compliance with health and safety legislations, ensuring your racking installations meet manufacturer specifications and relevant load notices.
Rack Inspection Reviews
FREE Racking Inspection Checklist No Email Required
Looking for a FREE racking inspection checklist you can use straight away? You’re in the right place.
We’ve created a simple, printable racking inspection tick sheet to help warehouse managers and safety officers carry out internal pallet racking inspections quickly and confidently. And unlike many others, we don’t ask for your email address or any personal details to download it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a racking inspections in Manchester cost?
The cost of a racking inspection in Manchester depends on several factors, including the scale of your racking system, the complexity of your storage setup, and the type of racking being inspected. Bigger sites with more racking may require longer inspections and detailed assessments, whereas smaller storage facilities will typically be quicker and more cost-effective to inspect.
At UK Rack Inspection, we aim to deliver great value for money. Our inspections are carried out by certified racking inspectors (SARIs), ensuring you receive a professional service without surprise costs. We provide clear quotes with no hidden fees, so you know exactly what to expect.
For an tailored quote, get in touch with us today – our team will be happy to advise you and provide a competitive price for your racking inspection in Manchester.
Why do I need to have a racking inspection?
Racking and storage equipment is governed by PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations), and is advised to be assessed at least annually by a suitably trained individual, of which an SEMA-approved inspector is considered compliant.
HSE documentation also outlines the recommendation for an annual professional racking inspection, including:
- HSG76 – Warehousing and Storage – A Guide to Health and Safety
- Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992
An annual racking inspection confirms that your racking has been fitted correctly to spec, has plausible weight loading information displayed, is suited to its current application, and is in good condition for continued use.
Are racking inspections a legal requirement in the UK?
Yes, racking inspections are a legal requirement in the UK under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other associated regulations, such as the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER). These laws require that all work equipment, including pallet racking systems, must be fit for purpose and regularly maintained. Failure to comply can lead to legal penalties, accidents, and disruption to operations.
For a detailed overview of the regulations and why compliance is so important, read our comprehensive article on whether racking inspections are a legal requirement in the UK. It provides expert advice on the standards you must meet to maintain legal and safety standards in your warehouse.
Why is regular pallet racking inspection essential?
Regular pallet racking inspections are essential to maintaining workplace safety, adhering to HSE and PUWER standards, and the durability of your racking systems. Over time, racks can suffer from damage caused by material handling equipment, overloaded shelves, or general wear and tear, potentially leading to collapse if left unchecked. By conducting proactive inspections, you can catch and correct these issues early, avoiding unexpected expenses or downtime.
To make the process easier, we’ve created an essential pallet racking inspection checklist that breaks down the key steps and areas to examine during inspections. This checklist is a must-have guide for ensuring safe and efficient storage systems, supporting ongoing compliance and safety.
How does proper pallet placement improve racking system safety?
Proper pallet placement is vital for maintaining the safety and efficiency of your racking systems. Incorrectly positioned pallets can cause uneven weight distribution, leading to instability and an increased risk of collapse. Additionally, poor placement practices can result in damaged racks and hinder the smooth flow of operations.
To learn more about the best practices for safe and effective pallet placement, you can check out our detailed guide on the importance of pallet placement in racking systems. This article provides practical advice and insights to help you optimise your storage setup and reduce potential risks in your warehouse.
Prioritising proper pallet placement keeps your racking systems safe and your operations running smoothly!
What are the benefits of using a SEMA approved inspector?
- We will ensure the compatibility and suitability of your storage equipment
- Fully Approved Inspectors as recognised by the HSE
- We carry out an in-depth inspection process in order to provide you with a fully detailed report with locations and remedial actions listed
- Enable you to achieve and maintain compliance with regards to health and safety legislations & PUWER regulations.
- Check that your racking installation has been installed to manufacturer specifications
- Ensure load notices are in line and relevant to the racking current configurations
- Offer guidance on areas that may be showing signs of repetitive damage, capturing areas before damages requiring replacement components
- Assess the pallet and pallet load suitability on site
- Offer guidance on rack-related health and safety issues, keeping you up to date with regulations
- Give an in-depth specification of the storage equipment
- Full client debrief following the inspection where recordings can be found and guidance given
Aren’t all racking inspectors SEMA approved anyway?
The answer is no.
Our advice is to always ask for the inspectors SARI number of which is an individual identification number assigned to each SEMA approved inspector, this should be identifiable on your racking inspection report also.
Furthermore, there are PUWER racking inspectors offering a damage report only style of report. Our concern with this type of inspection is a questionable compliance and that vital installation or health and safety issues would likely not be identified.
Our view is that if you are looking for a racking inspector why would you not want a full audit from a qualified inspector opposed to a brief overview.
Should a racking inspection be carried out annually only?
A racking inspection should be undertaken on an annual basis, when racks have been moved, or reconfigured.
Should repairs or installations be undertaken by a none SEMA approved installer (SIERS) it is advised that an inspection be carried out before the system is used to ensure it has been built or repaired to standard.
In house inspections should also be carried out by trained personnel at regular intervals throughout the year in between annual professional inspections.
The personnel should attend a racking awareness course and have a certified level of competence, they may then undertake your internal inspections of which should be recorded to satisfy auditor and HSE requirements.
Will any guidance or assistance be given after the inspection?
We strive to offer a great aftercare service to our customers and in doing so have built relationships up and down the country.
We are always on hand to offer help and guidance to ensure you are always one step ahead of all things rack related.
Although we work as a fully independent inspection company we do have highly recommended contacts within the storage industry of whom are all certified SEMA members offering repairs and installations.
This information can be given should you request any repairs or installations after your inspection.
Why should I use UK rack inspection for my annual racking inspection?
The UK rack inspection team have been in the storage industry for over 30 years, building expertise, knowledge and assisting customers across the UK. We then looked to build something of our own to be able to offer a next level service we feel is vital for our customers. Our experience has enabled us to have an insight as to what we must do to be the best we possibly can.
We are and we will:
- Accredited In House SEMA Approved Inspectors (SARI)
- Offer clear and concise reporting to customers
- Communicate any immediate actionable findings whilst leaving a RED risk report with our site contact when required
- Independent SEMA Inspectors to prevent conflict of interest
- Inspect to detailed SEMA standards
- Offer damage prevention recommendations where necessary
- Ensure racking has been installed and is being used to manufacturer specifications and recommendations
- Be on hand for any assistance required after the inspection has been submitted