Why Regular Pallet Racking Inspections Matter (and What the Law Says in the UK)
Walk into any warehouse in the UK and you’ll spot it: row after row of pallet racking stacked with everything from light boxes to heavy machinery parts. It’s easy to take all that steel for granted—until something goes wrong. A collapsed racking system isn’t just an inconvenience; it can mean lost stock, injured staff, and a legal nightmare. That’s why regular pallet racking inspections aren’t just good practice—they’re essential, and in many cases, absolutely required by law.
The Real Risks Lurking in Your Warehouse
Pallet racking might look sturdy, but it’s not invincible. Daily knocks from forklifts, overloading, missing safety pins, or just plain old wear and tear can all add up. You might not see the damage right away, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there.
If racking fails, the consequences go way beyond a messy cleanup. You’re looking at serious risks to health and safety, potential lawsuits, and major disruptions to business. In the worst cases, people die. It’s not worth gambling on luck.
What Does UK Law Say?
Here’s the bit that matters most if you’re running a warehouse in the UK: pallet racking is legally classed as work equipment. That means it falls under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). According to PUWER, employers must ensure that all work equipment—including racking—is:
- Suitable for its intended purpose
- Maintained in a safe condition
- Inspected regularly by a competent person
The law requires regular inspections by a competent person, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends a thorough inspection at least once every 12 months by a qualified expert, such as a SEMA Approved Racking Inspector (SARI). That’s on top of your own routine visual checks. Bringing in an expert means you’ll catch the problems most people miss.
Failing to carry out these inspections or ignoring problems when they’re found can land you in hot water. HSE has the power to issue improvement notices, fines, or even prosecute if someone gets hurt. And if your insurance finds out you skipped your inspections? Good luck with that claim.
What Should an Inspection Cover?
A proper pallet racking inspection isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. It should cover:
- Damage to uprights, beams, and bracing
- Missing or damaged safety components (like locking pins)
- Overloading or improper stacking
- Signs of corrosion or instability
- Safe working load signage
The inspector should give you a written report with clear actions—what needs attention now, what can wait, and what’s fine. You’re expected to act on the recommendations, not file them away and forget about them.
Why Bother With All This?
It’s tempting to see inspections as a hassle—just another expense and another thing on the to-do list. But skipping them is like skipping car MOTs: it might save you a bit now, but it’s almost guaranteed to cost you more in the long run.
Regular inspections:
- Keep your staff safe
- Protect your stock
- Help you stay compliant with the law
- Reduce downtime by spotting issues before they become disasters
The Bottom Line
Pallet racking inspections aren’t optional. The law is clear: you have a duty to keep your warehouse safe, and that starts with looking after your racking. Make inspections part of your routine, use qualified inspectors, and take action on what they find. It’s not just about ticking legal boxes—it’s about protecting your business and your people.
If you haven’t booked your next inspection, now’s the time. Your future self (and your warehouse team) will thank you.
