Why Should I Complete Rack Safety Awareness Training?

Here at DC Space and Storage Solutions, we offer a Rack Safety Awareness Training Course. This RoSPA approved course will give all candidates a competent understanding of Pallet Racking Systems, their components, safety requirements, effective use, and the legislation that guides their use. You will receive a certificate on completion to confirm this achievement. Becoming a knowledgeable team member in regard to pallet racking safety can have a dramatic impact not only on the health and safety compliance of your warehouse and accident prevention, but also on the efficiency and optimisation that comes with safe and proper use of racking.

By taking our Rack Safety Awareness Training Course you will gain knowledge of how to; identify damage to racking components and how it should be recorded and classified; conduct and record regular inspections to fulfil SEMA and HSE requirements and recommendations; understand the risk classifications and load notices that must be displayed with pallet racking and the consequences of failing to do so.

You have a duty to conform to essential legal requirements. The applicable legislation, regulation, and guidance that this course will help you understand and act upon includes:

• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

• Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act 2007

• The Health and Safety (Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996

• HSE HSG76 Warehouse and Storage

• EN15635 Steel Static Storage Systems - Application and Maintenance of Storage Equipment

• SEMA Codes of Practice

The ability to fulfil HSE requirements is a significant benefit of undertaking this training. Written by the Health and Safety Executive, in conjunction with the Warehousing Health and Safety Forum, is the HSG76 - Warehousing and Storage: A Guide to Health and Safety. This document sets out guidelines for best practice in matters of occupational safety. The guidelines are not legal requirements, but following them will ensure you are compliant with all legislation.

‘This guidance is issued by the Health and Safety Executive. Following the guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other action. But if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law.’

A significant aspect of the HSG76’s requirements are in regard to racking installation, and then its inspection and maintenance. Being able to follow the HSG76 will ensure safety in your warehouse at all stages of racking use and processes.

SEMA is the Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association. Established in 1968, this trade body represents the interests of the storage industry, sharing best practice and setting guidelines to continually improve industry standards. DC Space and Storage Solutions is both a SEMA approved installation company and a SEMA approved distributor. We are one of the only UK businesses with both of these accreditations, and are thus perfectly placed to offer this course detailing SEMA standards and classifications.

SEMA classifications are there to help you visually inspect damaged components and classify the severity of damage, and the immediacy of the repair needed. This training course will allow you to understand these SEMA classifications and safely observe the impacts of any damage that may occur.

The Rack Safety Awareness Training will go through damage rules and the tolerances of uprights and bracing, beams, and baseplates, in accordance with SEMA, FEM, and EN15635 standards.

While annual racking inspections are required and can only be performed by an approved expert ‘competent person’, the course will allow the end user the skills and knowledge to undertake more regular inspections within their warehouse. The periodicity of internal inspections is determined by risk assessments and the nominated ‘person responsible for racking safety’, but should be at least monthly, if not weekly, and when any accidents or damage might occur.

By completing the Rack Safety Awareness Training Course you will learn the equipment needed to complete inspections, the requirements for completing them effectively, other observations that should be made, and how to complete a damage report and offload damage sheet in order to act in line with best practice guidelines and ensure a safe warehouse.

This training comes with exercises to complete in order to consolidate the knowledge and understanding gained on the course, and ensure you are comfortable with your new knowledge before implementing it in the workspace.

DC Space and Storage Solutions is uniquely positioned to implement this training course due to our SEMA accreditations, as well as our other accreditations including; the ISO45001 - the world’s international standard for occupational health and safety; the ISO14001 which recognises the efficient and sustainable use and disposal of natural resources; the ISO9001 - the criteria for quality management; the Altius Assured Award - for complying with the highest supply chain standards; and the Alcumus SafeContractor Accreditation - recognising our capabilities for health and safety assurance. These numerous accreditations mean we are technically and professionally competent in our ability to offer an effective training course. The course being RoSPA approved also emphasises the high standards at which we operate and run the course.

By completing Rack Safety Awareness Training, you are demonstrating not only your commitment to maintaining safe and efficient operations, but also to looking after your colleagues and employees within a hazardous environment. Find out more at sales@dcdiret.co.uk or by calling 01392 927096.

Get in touch today to book your place on our Rack Safety Awareness Training Course, and ensure the compliance of your warehouse.