Pallet Racking Inspection Durham — SEMA-Aligned Inspectors

County Durham's transition from coal mining to modern logistics has brought a new generation of racking installations to the region.

Pallet Racking Inspection Across Durham

County Durham's industrial base has transitioned from coal mining heritage to modern distribution and manufacturing warehousing along the A1(M) corridor.

We regularly inspect racking installations across Durham, including in:

• Durham
• Darlington
• Bishop Auckland
• Chester-le-Street
• Consett

This page is part of our nationwide SEMA Racking Inspection service, covering Durham and every other UK county.

Is a Racking Inspection a Legal Requirement in Durham?

Yes — although the requirement is often misunderstood. Pallet racking on a Durham site falls under PUWER 1998 as work equipment, so the employer carries a statutory duty to maintain it safely and to have it inspected by a competent person at appropriate intervals. The HSE's HSG76 guidance on warehousing and storage translates that duty into a twelve-month cycle of formal expert inspection by a SARI accredited inspector. Because these are criminal duties rather than best practice, breaches expose the business to prosecution and unlimited fines, and individuals to imprisonment where failings are serious.

The SEMA Red, Amber and Green System

Rather than a list of observations, your Durham report grades every defect against the SEMA damage criteria, so responsibility and urgency are unambiguous:

• Green — the component is in acceptable condition. No action required.
• Amber — the component is damaged. The bay must be off-loaded or its safe working load reduced until repaired within four weeks.
• Red — the component is dangerously damaged. The bay must be off-loaded and taken out of service immediately until repaired or replaced.

What the Inspection Covers in Durham

Every Durham inspection is carried out to HSG76 and BS EN 15635 and covers every safety-critical element of your racking installation:

• Upright frames — checked for bends, buckles, splits, twists and corrosion
• Beams and beam connectors — verified for damage and correct engagement
• Baseplates and floor fixings — inspected for lift, cracks and looseness
• Safety clips and locking pins — confirmed present and engaged on every beam
• Load notices — checked for presence, legibility and accuracy
• Floor fixings and frame protection — assessed across the installation

What Happens After Your Inspection in Durham

Within 48 hours of completing your Durham inspection you will receive a full written report. Every defect is photographed and described, classified red, amber or green, with a clear recommendation for repair or replacement. For amber and red defects we can provide a fixed-price repair quotation on the same day. Rackstor Safety Inspections carries out racking repairs across the UK, typically within 3–5 working days of the inspection report.

Working With Rackstor Safety Inspections in Durham

• SARI accredited, SEMA-aligned inspection as standard
• Reports written to satisfy PUWER 1998 and HSG76 record-keeping
• A quarter of a century of hands-on racking work behind every visit
• Cover across the whole of the UK, including out-of-hours attendance
• Fixed-price quotations turned round the same day
• Full photographic report within 48 hours of leaving site

Book a Racking Inspection in Durham

For a fixed-price quotation on a SEMA-aligned racking inspection anywhere in Durham, call 0800 654 6955 or use the form below. We respond the same day.