Racking Legislation – What You Need To Know

The misuse of racking systems (such as applying heavier loads than the system can support) as well as lack of maintenance can result in exceptionally dangerous racking collapses.  The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), Regulation 4, requires every employer to ensure that work equipment is appropriate for the required operation.  It is crucial to health and safety that the racking system installed can support the loads required of it.  Under Regulations 5 and 6 the racking systems should be properly maintained and inspected for faults or damage (this can occur easily through the racking being continually hit by forklift trucks but can be mitigated through the application of column guards etc… ) and any appropriate action taken to correct these.  Under The Work at Height Regulations 2005, Regulation 10, employers are required to take reasonable steps to protect employees from falling objects – this could take the form of risk assessments and required action such as the installation of accessories such as mesh decking or netting to protect against materials falling off the system.

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