 |
 |
Shelving Legislation – What You Need To Know
Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), Regulation 4, every employer has a duty to make sure the work equipment provided is suitable for the task at hand – make sure that the shelving you purchase can support the weight of the load being placed on the system. Regular inspection of the system and any required maintenance or replacement should also be carried out to protect your employees from accidents involving dangerous or damaged equipment. The Work at Height Regulations 2005, Regulation 10, requires employers to take reasonable steps to protect employees from falling objects – this could take the form of risk assessments and required action like the installation of accessories such as mesh cladding to shelving systems to protect against materials falling off. If your workforce is involved in stacking and picking from the shelves make sure you have taken account of The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1998 to implement measures that reduce the risks involved in manual handling operations.