Racking Inspection — SEMA Approved Inspectors Nationwide
Rackstor UK Ltd provides SEMA approved pallet racking and warehouse racking inspections across the United Kingdom. Our SARI accredited inspectors deliver thorough, impartial assessments of your racking — classifying every defect using the SEMA red, amber and green system, and providing a written report within 48 hours. PUWER 1998 compliance. Fixed-price quotations. Nationwide coverage.
- SARI Accredited Inspectors
- SEMA Approved
- Red / Amber / Green Classification
- Reports Within 48 Hours
- PUWER 1998 Compliant
- Nationwide Coverage
Why Regular Racking Inspection Is a Legal Requirement
Pallet racking is work equipment under PUWER 1998 — the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. This means every employer has a legal duty to ensure their racking is maintained in a safe condition and inspected regularly by a competent person.
HSE guidance HSG76 specifically requires that warehouse racking is inspected at appropriate intervals by a technically competent person — and SEMA guidelines state that this means a SARI accredited inspector carrying out a formal expert inspection at least once every 12 months.
Failure to maintain and inspect racking regularly is a health and safety breach. In the event of a racking collapse, the absence of a current inspection record significantly increases the employer's legal liability. Documented inspections by a SARI accredited inspector demonstrate compliance and provide essential protection.
What Our Racking Inspection Covers
Every Rackstor UK Ltd racking inspection is a comprehensive assessment of the entire racking structure. Our SARI accredited inspectors examine:
Upright Frames
The most critical element of any racking system. Our inspectors check for bends, buckles, splits and corrosion on every upright, and measure deformation against SEMA tolerance tables. Both in-plane and out-of-plane deflection are measured and recorded.
Beams and Safety Clips
Every beam is checked for bending, end damage and correctly engaged safety clips. A beam with a disengaged clip can drop without warning under load — we check every clip on every beam.
Baseplates and Floor Fixings
Lifted, cracked or corroded baseplates and loose or missing floor fixings are a significant structural risk. Every baseplate and anchor is inspected and any defects are clearly reported.
Bracing and Frame Connections
All horizontal and diagonal bracing is checked for damage, missing fixings and loose connections.
Load Notices
Every bay must display a current load notice showing the maximum safe working load of the bay and each shelf level. Missing or illegible load notices are reported and replacement notices supplied.
Floor Condition
The floor around the racking base is inspected for cracks, settlement or damage that could affect the structural integrity of the installation.
The SEMA Red, Amber, Green Classification System
Every defect found during a Rackstor UK Ltd inspection is classified using the SEMA traffic light system:
Green — damage is within acceptable SEMA tolerances. The bay can remain in service but the defect should be monitored at weekly PRRS checks and repaired at the next planned maintenance opportunity.
Amber — damage exceeds SEMA tolerances. The bay must be repaired within four weeks. The load in the affected bay should be reduced as a precaution. The weekly PRRS check should monitor the defect closely until it is repaired.
Red — damage presents a very serious risk. The bay must be unloaded and taken out of service immediately. The affected section must not be reloaded until a competent person has confirmed it is safe following repair.
Our written inspection report clearly identifies the location of every defect, its classification, and the required action. Photographs are included for every amber and red rated item.
Who Needs a Racking Inspection?
Any organisation that uses pallet racking, cantilever racking, mobile shelving or any other type of storage racking in the workplace needs a regular expert inspection. This includes:
Warehouses and distribution centres, manufacturing facilities, builders merchants and timber yards, NHS trusts and healthcare facilities, local authorities, retail distribution, cold stores and food production, third-party logistics providers, and any organisation using racking in its operations.
There is no minimum threshold — even a single bay of pallet racking in an office stockroom is work equipment under PUWER 1998 and requires inspection.
What Happens After the Inspection
Within 48 hours of the inspection, you receive a written report covering every defect found, its SEMA classification, its location within your racking layout, and the required action and deadline. The report is formatted for internal circulation to site managers, health and safety leads and facilities teams.
For amber and red rated defects, Rackstor UK Ltd can provide a separate repair quotation. Our engineers carry a comprehensive range of replacement components and can often carry out urgent repairs within days of the inspection.
How Much Does a Racking Inspection Cost?
The cost of a racking inspection depends on the number of bays, the type of racking and the site location. Rackstor UK Ltd provides fixed-price inspection quotations — there are no hidden extras and no travel supplements for most UK mainland locations.
As a general guide:
- Small installation up to 50 bays: typically £150–250
- Medium installation 50–200 bays: typically £250–400
- Large installation 200+ bays: contact us for a fixed price
For multi-site contracts and annual inspection programmes, volume discounts apply.
Racking Inspection FAQs
Nationwide Coverage
Rackstor UK Ltd carries out racking inspections at warehouses, distribution centres, factories, builders merchants and healthcare facilities across the entire United Kingdom — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Book a SEMA Approved Racking Inspection
Tell us your site postcode, approximate number of racking bays and the type of racking. We will come back with a fixed price — usually the same day.