SEMA (Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association) is the British Trade Association of the Storage Equipment Industry and represent the warehouse and storage sector in the HSE committee. 

They are an organisation committed to promoting and extending the safe design, installation and inspection of Racking, Cantilever, Shelving and Mezzanine floor systems. 

FEM (Federation European Manufacture) is the European Trade Association of the Storage Equipment Industry, representing the warehouse and storage sector within individual European countries.

ERF (European Racking Federation) represents both FEM and SEMA to promote and protect the interests of the European Storage Equipment Industry and influence worldwide manufacturers towards agreed safe technical standards.

Yes. There is a legal obligation on employers (see list below), to ensure their employees work in a safe environment using safe work equipment.

• Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) – Section 2.
• The Workplace, Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992.
• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).
• The HSE Warehouse and Storage Safety Guide HS (G) 76. 

These are required to ensure the user maintains their equipment from common faults such as damaged uprights / columns, bent braces, missing locking pins or bolts, etc.

Frequency of inspections of storage equipment falls into 3 – categories, these are:

• End user inspection - Weekly or monthly “in-house” inspection must be conducted by a PRRS (Person Responsible Racking Safety). This individual must have completed a SEMA awareness course to successfully carry out regular ground level inspections.
• Expert inspection – To be carried out by a qualified SEMA Approved Inspector (known as a SARI), at intervals of no longer than 12 – months.
• New installation/extension inspection – To be carried out by a qualified SEMA Approved Inspector 4 months after completion under the following scenarios -
• New installation takes place and the end users forklift truck operatives require driver training, due to a new forklift operation i.e. Counterbalance, Reach, Articulated or VNA machine being used.
• Extension or alteration to an existing installation and the end users forklift operatives require driver training due to a new forklift operation.

No.  Staff who have attended a SEMA awareness course known a PRRS (Person Responsible Racking Safety) do not have the qualifications to carry out an ‘Expert Inspection’ to meet HSE requirements.

• A PRRS (Person Responsible Racking Safety) only attended a 1 – day basic training course to establish what damage tolerances are. On identifying damage the PRRS to action accordingly in accordance with SEMA training guidelines to prevent an incident. 
• A SEMA approved inspector known as a SARI is a recognised industry qualification, trained to carry out annual ‘Expert Inspections’ in accordance with HSE requirements. During their inspection they can offer advice on damage categories, damage prevention, repairs and loadings.  
• All SEMA approved inspectors are required to have suitable ‘Professional Indemnity’ insurance cover. 

There is no such thing as a FEM approved inspection qualification.

SEMA approved inspectors known as a SARI, is the industry’s leading and most recognised qualification thought out the Storage Equipment Industry. This qualification is recognised and adopted by worldwide manufacturers, for which there are over 100+ inspectors within the UK.

A SEMA approved inspector known as a SARI is a recognised industry qualification, similar to a central heating engineer who is ‘Gas Safe Registered’. All SEMA approved inspectors are trained to carry out detailed reports in accordance with HSE requirements, and have to attended relevant CPD (Continuous Professional Development) courses.

A technically competent person or an insurance inspector are very often knowledgeable over a variety of sectors, as they advise on a number of subjects such as electrics, machine safety, manual handling, etc.

With this in mind it is unlikely they have the skill sets of a qualified SEMA approved inspector to offer advice with reference to loadings, damage identification / prevention, latest industry design changes, etc, meeting HSE requirements.

For reasons mentioned above business safety managers and advisors often request the services of a SEMA approved inspector, allowing the insurance assessor or business advisor to check storage equipment inspections and repairs are carried out regularly.

The advantages of having a SEMA inspection over a Non-SEMA inspection are as follows:

• Annual reports meet HSE requirements.

• Inspectors must attend regular CPD ((Continuous Professional Development) courses, to ensure they are aware of any technical design issues.

• It is a requirement by SEMA that all inspectors have suitable ‘Professional Indemnity’ insurance, offering the end user peace of mind.

• All inspectors are trained to offer advice with reference to training, loadings, damage identification and prevention.

• All reports are chargeable opposed to being free. This provides the end user with a list of materials that genuinely need replacing, opposed to receiving ridiculous repair costs after a report has been completed.

• On- site, our Approved Inspector will liaise with your PRRS and go through any immediate issues.

• A thorough inspection will be carried out and debrief with your PRRS including identifying of any red risks areas.

• Off site, the Approved Inspector will compile a detailed report including photographic evidence, which can then be either sent via email or a hard copy format.

• SEMA Inspection certificate – valid for 1 year

• Automatic reminder for the next inspection

• Provide your PRRS with inspection support for the following year

Yes. SEMA provide a ‘Rack Maintenance Course’, which consists of a step by step guide to the safe replacement of components. It identifies the skills needed by the end users maintenance team and reveals the difference between ‘repairs versus maintenance’. For further course information visit www.sema.org.uk

Yes.  We use an independent trainer who has worked for many years in the industry.  He will supply all display equipment necessary.  The course includes pallet racking and cantilever racking modules, with an afternon practical  session too where appropriate.  

The full course usually lasts from around 9am to 4pm.

SEMA categories storage equipment damage in form of a traffic light system all as detailed below:-

Risk categories

Green - minor risk 

Falls within the SEMA limits and should be recorded for further consideration at the next inspection.

Amber - medium risk 

Damage is greater that SEMA limits.  Remedial work is to be carried out.  Loads should not be replaced once unloaded until repairs have been carried out.  If not unloaded or repaired within 4 weeks damage level is automatically upgraded to ‘red risk’.

Red - high risk

Damage is twice the SEMA limits. Immediate off-loading and isolation until repairs have been carried out.