Monitor and assess storage shelving and racking systems

This standard is about monitoring and assessing the continued safety of shelving and racking systems used to store goods. It covers regular monitoring as well as recording and reporting the assessment.

This standard is for a competent person who can undertake monitoring and risk assessment of storage shelving and racking systems. It does not cover initial specification, design and erection.

1.    maintain the health and safety of yourself and others at all times, in line with the relevant legislation and organisational requirements
2.    assess the risks associated with the work before starting and throughout the activity, take action to minimise risks where possible and report in line with organisational procedures
3.    confirm that the required personal protective equipment (PPE) for the work being carried out is worn at all times in line with organisational procedures
4.    confirm that the relevant training has been received to carry out the work, recognise the limits of your competence and seek access to further training where required
5.    confirm the requirements and priorities for monitoring and assessing storage shelving and racking systems in line with organisational procedures
6.    report any circumstances that prevent the monitoring and assessment of storage shelving and racking systems in line with organisational procedures
7.    assess storage shelving and racking systems for any risks including damage, defects, deterioration or overloading in line with organisational procedures
8.    record and report the findings of the assessment to those responsible for scheduling maintenance and repair of storage shelving and racking systems in line with organisational procedures, and highlight areas of concern 
9.    complete all required documentation and records in line with relevant legal requirements and organisational procedures

1.    your responsibilities under the relevant health and safety legislation and organisational requirements
2.    how to identify hazards and assess risks associated with the work being carried out, and suitable control measures and Safe Systems of Work (SSoW) that can be put in place to reduce risks
3.    the relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) that should be worn when monitoring and assessing warehouse and storage shelving and racking systems
4.    the organisational procedures for monitoring and assessing storage shelving and racking systems, the circumstances that may prevent you from achieving this and the action to take
5.    the relevant health and safety requirements that govern the use of storage shelving and racking systems 
6.    how to assess storage shelving and racking systems for damage, defects, deterioration and overloading, and the consequences of not identifying and reporting faults
7.    the types of problems that occur with storage shelving and racking systems and how identify and respond to them
8.    the action to take if a hazardous situation is identified
9.    who to report the assessment of storage shelving and racking systems to and why it is important to check that findings are actioned
10.    the information and recording systems used by the organisation and the legal and organisational requirements for maintaining records, including data protection legislation and organisational procedures for data security

Health and safety includes mental and physical wellbeing

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) could include: high-visibility clothing, hard hats, protective clothing, eye protection, masks, gloves, safety footwear

Safe System of Work (SSoW) is a method of work that puts in place control measures arising from a risk assessment, in order to manage identified hazards, which are broken down into four elements: safe person; safe equipment; safe place; and safe practice.

Shelving and racking systems: specialist warehousing storage shelving, racks, storage cages, manual and automated warehousing and storage systems