Storage Racking Inspection
Need your Storage Racking inspected in line with PUWER98 regulations? Get a quote today to ensure you remain compliant.
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Storage Racking Inspection
Need your Storage Racking inspected in line with PUWER98 regulations? Get a quote today to ensure you remain compliant.
Storage Racking Inspection (Pallet Racking, Cantilever Racking, Very Narrow Aisle Racking etc)
Storage Racking Within Industry
Storage racking is a system of shelving, frames, and supports designed to store goods and materials efficiently in warehouses, factories, and commercial spaces. Storage racks come in many forms, including pallet racking, shelving units, cantilever racking, and mezzanine storage systems, depending on the type, size, and weight of the items being stored. They help maximise vertical and horizontal space, improve inventory management, and allow for easier access using forklifts, pallet trucks, or manual handling.
In the warehousing and logistics industry, storage racking is essential for organising large volumes of goods and ensuring quick retrieval for order fulfilment. Pallet racking is commonly used to store bulk items on pallets, allowing forklifts to move products safely and efficiently. Shelving units and cantilever racks are used for long or awkwardly shaped items such as pipes, timber, or metal rods. Storage racking improves workflow, reduces handling times, and supports high-density storage.
The retail and wholesale sectors also rely on storage racking systems to manage stockrooms and distribution centres. Adjustable shelving units are used for boxed products, packaged goods, and seasonal inventory, enabling flexible storage layouts. Mezzanine racking can be installed to create additional storage levels in smaller spaces, maximising usable floor area. These systems help retailers maintain organised stock, reduce damage, and streamline restocking.
In manufacturing, automotive, and industrial sectors, storage racking supports the storage of raw materials, components, and finished goods. Racking systems allow efficient segregation of parts and materials for production lines, improve safety by keeping items off the floor, and prevent damage to sensitive or heavy equipment. Across all industries, storage racking provides safety, efficiency, and better space utilisation, making it a cornerstone of modern material handling and inventory management.
What’s Covered During Your SEIS Work Equipment Inspection.
A PUWER (Provision And Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) inspection of Storage Racking, is a legally required inspection carried out by a competent person to ensure the storage racking is safe for continued use. Below is a break down of what is typically covered:
 General Examination
Verification that the Storage Racking complies with its manufacturer’s specifications and current legislation. Inspections include initial planning and a check of all relevant documentation, such as:
- CE/UKCA conformity documents
- Maintenance records
- Load test certificates
- Previous thorough examination reports
- Confirmation that all safety markings (SWL, ID plates) are legible and accurate.
- Correct signage
Overall Safety
- Confirm the presence and condition of end-of-aisle guards, netting, or safety bars
- Check that fire exits, access aisles, and walkways are clear
- Verify protection against falling items, such as mesh decking or pallet stops
 Structural Integrity
- Vertical uprights checked for cracks, corrosion, deformation, deflection or damage.
- Cross members checked for cracks, corrosion, deformation, deflection, bowing or damage.
- Â Examination of welds and joints for signs of fatigue or failure.
- Safety locking pins checked for security and condition.
- Foundation fixings checked for damage and security.
- Bracing struts checked for structural integrity.
 Documentation and Reporting
After the inspection, the competent person will issue a PUWER Plant Inspection Report. This must include:
- Date of the examination
- Details of the equipment inspected
- Findings, including any defects
- Recommendations or required actions
- Date of next examination due
- Statement on whether the equipment is safe to continue using
If any serious defects are found that pose immediate danger, they must be reported to the duty holder and the enforcing authority (e.g., HSE) immediately.
 Summary
An Storage Racking inspection ensures that the work equipment are safe, compliant, and fit for use. It helps prevent accidents caused by structural damage, insecure fastening and fixings, or malfunctioning safety mechanisms. While it does not replace regular maintenance, PUWER and work equipment inspections are a crucial legal requirement for keeping your equipment safe and avoiding costly breakdowns or incidents.
Why Storage Racking Inspections Matter For You & Your Business.Â
Why PUWER98 Work Equipment Inspections Matter
Regular PUWER98 inspections are a legal requirement in the UK for all work equipment used at a place work, and for good reason. These inspections ensure that equipment, such as roller shutter doors, pallet trucks, storage racking, hand tools, power tools and industrial machinery are safe to use, and fit for purpose. The nature and use of work equipment means that equipment failure can lead to catastrophic consequences, including serious injury, fatalities, and significant damage to property. By carrying out regular, scheduled inspections by a competent person, businesses can identify wear and tear, structural damage, or faulty mechanisms before they result in an incident.
Pros of Getting a Thorough Examination in line with PUWER98
Legal Compliance and Risk Reduction: The most obvious advantage is staying compliant with health and safety law. Compliance avoids potential legal action, fines, or even prosecution. More importantly, it drastically reduces the risk of workplace accidents caused by lifting equipment failure.
Improved Safety Culture: Regular inspections foster a proactive safety culture within the organisation. Employees are more likely to trust equipment and feel safe in their work environment when they know thorough checks are in place.
 Extended Equipment Lifespan: Regularly maintained and inspected equipment typically lasts longer. Examinations can identify early signs of damage or fatigue, allowing for preventative maintenance that avoids costly replacements or repairs.
 Insurance and Liability Protection: Insurers may require evidence of PUWER compliance in the event of an incident. Without valid inspection records, insurance claims could be denied or reduced, leaving the business liable for damages.
 Operational Efficiency: Detecting potential issues before they lead to equipment failure helps prevent unscheduled downtime. This keeps operations running smoothly and avoids the knock-on effects of delayed projects or interrupted workflows.
Cons of Failing to Carry Out PUWER Work Equipment Inspections
 Legal and Financial Consequences: Failing to comply with PUWER can result in enforcement action from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), including improvement notices, prohibition notices, fines, or even prosecution. Legal battles and associated costs can be financially crippling.
 Increased Risk of Accidents: Equipment that hasn’t been inspected is far more likely to fail. Such failures can lead to injuries or fatalities, particularly in high-risk environments like construction or manufacturing. Beyond the human cost, the reputational damage to a business can be severe and long-lasting.
 Higher Repair and Replacement Costs: Neglecting inspections can allow minor issues to develop into major faults. These may require costly emergency repairs or complete equipment replacement, expenses that could have been avoided through routine examinations.
 Loss of Business and Clients: Clients often expect their contractors or suppliers to uphold strict safety standards. A failure to meet legal obligations like PUWER can result in lost contracts or blacklisting from future work, especially in regulated industries.
 Increased Insurance Premiums or Invalidated Coverage: As mentioned, insurers may increase premiums or deny coverage entirely if a business can't provide evidence of up-to-date PUWER compliance, placing a heavier financial burden on operations.
PUWER work equipment inspections aren’t just a box-ticking exercise - they are an essential component of a responsible, safety-first approach to using work equipment. The benefits of compliance are wide-ranging, from protecting human life to reducing costs and maintaining operational integrity. Conversely, the risks of neglecting these inspections can be devastating on multiple levels.
Unsure If Your Equipment Falls Under PUWER98 Regulations?
Below lists several example of work equipment which require regular maintenance and inspections under the PUWER98 regulations;
 Machine Tools
- Examples: Lathes, milling machines, grinders, pillar drills.
- Hazards: Moving parts, entanglement, ejection of materials.
 Power Presses
- Mechanical or hydraulic presses used for forming metal.
- Require specific inspection intervals and records under PUWER.
 Portable Electrical Equipment
- Examples: Drills, saws, grinders, extension leads.
- Require visual checks and PAT (Portable Appliance Testing).
 Hand-Operated Tools (Powered or Manual)
- Examples: Nail guns, impact wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers.
- Inspections check handles, guards, and integrity.
 Access Equipment
- Examples: Ladders, mobile towers, podium steps.
- Checked for damage, stability, and correct labeling.
 Conveyor Systems
- Used in production or packaging lines.
- Checks include guards, emergency stops, belt condition, and rollers.
 Construction Plant and Machinery
- Examples: Dumpers, cement mixers, plate compactors.
- Inspections cover structure, hydraulics, controls, and braking.
 Welding Equipment
- Arc, MIG, TIG, and gas welding sets.
- Checks: electrical integrity, hoses, regulators, flashback arrestors.
 Fixed Workshop Machinery
- Examples: Band saws, bench grinders, circular saws.
- Guarding, emergency stop buttons, and stability must be checked.
 Industrial Cleaning Equipment
- Floor scrubbers, vacuums, jet washers.
- Inspections for electrical safety, hoses, and mechanical parts.
 Roller Shutter Doors
- Manual or powered.
- Function, controls, structural integrity, inhibitor switches (if fitted) and stop buttons must be checked.
 Storage Racking
- Types: Pallet, Cantilever, Very Narrow Aisle etc
- Foundation fixings, securing fixings, locking pins, bracing members and cross-members, uprights and overall structural integrity must be checked.
Great experience working with Oliver on the PSSR for our compressors! The team was very professional, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. They made the entire process smooth and stress-free. We would definitely use them again.
We’ve been using Statutory Equipment Inspection Solutions Ltd for our inspection needs, and their service is unmatched by any competitor we’ve worked with. They are extremely professional, always quick to respond to messages, and consistently provide prompt, detailed reports to help us stay compliant with regulations. Highly reliable and a pleasure to work with — we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.
SEIS have delivered LOLER and PSSR Thorough Examinations for us across Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire with the utmost professionalism and the highest standards. With brilliant communication and a friendly, knowledgeable approach, we highly recommend their services.
Oliver at SEIS turned up on short notice to help us out after our current inspections provider let us down. He had our overhead cranes and fork trucks examined, and reports sent to us on the same day. Fantastic service.
The engineer surveyor SEIS sent was personable, and knowledgable. They was happy to work around our operational needs and examined our tailboard lifts with minimal disruption.
Thanks again!
Craig
Thanks again!
Craig