Legal Compliance
Meet HSE, PUWER 1998 and BS EN 15635 requirements. Annual inspections by a SARI accredited inspector are a legal obligation for all UK employers.
SARI Accredited · PUWER & HSG76 Compliant · BS EN 15635 Reports
Pallet Racking Inspections UK — Annual Rack Safety by SARI Accredited Inspectors
Somerset Storage Installations UK Ltd delivers professional pallet racking inspections across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. Our SARI accredited inspectors provide thorough BS EN 15635 assessments with detailed traffic-light damage reports — ensuring your warehouse storage systems remain safe, legal and fully compliant with PUWER 1998 and HSG76.
With 24+ years of hands-on experience inspecting adjustable pallet racking, drive-in, push back, narrow aisle, cantilever and multi-tier systems for manufacturers including Dexion, Link51, Redirack, Planned Storage, Stow and Mecalux — we are a trusted UK racking safety specialist.
When Was Your Racking Last Inspected by a SARI Accredited Inspector?
If your pallet racking has not been inspected within the last 12 months, you may be in breach of PUWER 1998 and HSG76 guidance. Damaged racking left unchecked can lead to catastrophic collapse, serious injury, prosecution, unlimited fines and corporate manslaughter charges. The HSE can issue an immediate Prohibition Notice, shutting down your entire warehouse operation.
Why Inspect
Why Are Pallet Racking Inspections Essential?
Regular inspections by a SARI accredited inspector protect your staff, your stock, your insurance validity and your business from the serious consequences of damaged or non-compliant racking systems.
Accident Prevention
Identify hazards before they escalate into injuries, stock damage or catastrophic racking collapse. Protect your workforce and your livelihood.
Reduce Costs
Address minor damage early. A £200 upright repair today prevents a £5,000+ full bay replacement tomorrow. Proactive maintenance saves thousands annually.
Insurance Protection
Documented inspections protect your business in the event of a claim, HSE investigation or liability dispute. Many insurers now require annual proof.
Operational Continuity
Unplanned racking failure stops your entire operation. Scheduled inspections keep your warehouse running without costly shutdowns or emergency evacuations.
Staff Confidence
Your team deserves to work in a demonstrably safe environment. Visible inspection records build trust, morale and reduce near-miss anxiety.
UK Law
UK Legal Requirements for Pallet Racking Inspections
Under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), all employers across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands must ensure that work equipment — including pallet racking — is maintained in a safe condition through regular inspection by SARI accredited inspectors.
HSE publication HSG76: Warehousing and Storage specifically recommends that racking inspections are carried out at intervals of no more than 12 months. Enforcing authorities — including the HSE in England, Scotland and Wales, and HSENI in Northern Ireland — will request your most recent inspection report during any site visit, audit or following a workplace accident.
BS EN 15635:2008 sets the standard for damage classification using the traffic-light system and requires employers to appoint a Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS) to conduct weekly visual checks, maintain a damage reporting system and coordinate repairs.
Non-compliance can result in Improvement Notices, Prohibition Notices, unlimited fines, imprisonment and corporate manslaughter charges under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007. Insurance claims may also be denied if documented evidence of regular inspections cannot be produced.
BS EN 15635
Traffic-Light Damage Classification
All damage is classified using the industry-standard traffic-light system as defined in BS EN 15635, providing clear, prioritised action planning for warehouse managers and health & safety teams.
Red — Critical
Immediate action. Racking must be offloaded and isolated immediately until repaired or replaced. Continued use risks catastrophic structural collapse. Documented in report with photographs.
Amber — Risk Present
Repair within 4 weeks. Damage identified requiring planned repair within 28 days. Monitor closely, restrict loading if necessary, and programme corrective work.
Green — Serviceable
No action required. No significant damage found. Continue routine monitoring through weekly PRRS visual checks. Next inspection due within 12 months.
Scope
What Our SARI Accredited Inspectors Inspect
A systematic BS EN 15635 compliant inspection covering every racking component.
Uprights — damage, dents, rust, twisting, out-of-plumb, floor bolting
Beams — bends, cracks, broken welds, deflection, secure connections
Beam clips & safety locks — correct fitting, type, condition
Bracing — diagonal and horizontal damage, bending, missing sections
Bolts & floor anchors — tightness, integrity, corrosion, shear
Footplates — bending, twisting, tearing, detachment
Row spacers & wall ties — presence, condition, positioning
Safety equipment — column protectors, barriers, mesh, netting
SWL & load notices — visible, accurate, BS EN 15635 compliant
Floor condition — cracks, subsidence, unevenness beneath racking
Pallet condition — suitability and integrity for racking use
Clearances — aisle widths, sprinkler distance, overhead obstruction
Frame plumb & level measurements with calibrated equipment
Timber & mesh decking — condition, sagging, load rating compliance
All Brands · All Systems
All Racking Types Inspected
Our SARI accredited inspectors inspect all industrial storage systems from every major manufacturer across the UK, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands.
Adjustable Pallet Racking (APR)Drive-In / Drive-Through RackingPush Back RackingNarrow Aisle Racking (VNA)Cantilever RackingMulti-Tier Racking & MezzaninesMobile Racking SystemsLongspan ShelvingGarment RackingTyre Racking
Our Process
From Enquiry to Completed Repairs
A professional, structured approach to pallet racking safety across the entire United Kingdom.
1
Enquiry & Scope
Contact us with bay count, racking type, site access and any known issues.
2
Quotation
Transparent fixed-price quotation based on bay count — no hidden charges.
3
Site Attendance
Our SARI accredited inspector attends site at an agreed date for thorough on-site assessment.
4
Systematic Inspection
Every upright, beam, brace, anchor and safety device checked to BS EN 15635 standards.
5
Traffic-Light Report
Detailed report with RAG classification, photographs, floor plan and prioritised recommendations.
6
Repair & Remediation
We carry out on-site repairs, replacements and load notice installation — fully documented.
Save Thousands
Why Regular Inspections Save You Thousands
A bent upright caught at amber stage costs approximately £150–£300 to repair. Left undetected, it can escalate to red-rated structural failure requiring full bay replacement at £2,000–£5,000+ — plus stock damage, downtime, injuries and HSE investigation.
70%
Lower repair costs with annual inspections
24hrs
Quotation turnaround guaranteed
24/7
Emergency response across the UK
FAQs
Pallet Racking Inspections FAQ
Common questions about pallet racking inspections, legal requirements and our service.
Are annual pallet racking inspections a legal requirement in the UK?
Yes. Under PUWER 1998 and HSE guidance HSG76, pallet racking must be inspected by a SARI accredited inspector at least once every 12 months, with weekly visual checks by a trained Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS) under BS EN 15635.
What areas do you cover?
Somerset Storage Installations UK Ltd inspects racking across the entire United Kingdom — England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands — with local engineers serving Somerset, Devon, Dorset, Wiltshire, Bristol and the South West.
What types of racking do you inspect?
All types — Adjustable Pallet Racking (APR), Drive-In, Push Back, Narrow Aisle (VNA), Cantilever, Multi-Tier, Mobile Racking and Longspan shelving, from every major manufacturer including Dexion, Link51, Redirack, Mecalux, Stow and Planned Storage.
What do I receive after an inspection?
A detailed BS EN 15635 traffic-light report with photographs, floor plan, red/amber/green classifications, prioritised remedial recommendations and a written risk register suitable for HSE, insurer and audit purposes.
Can you carry out repairs after the inspection?
Yes — our engineers carry out on-site repairs, beam replacements, upright repairs, floor anchor re-fixing, column protector fitting, anti-collapse mesh and load notice design and installation, all fully documented for your compliance records.
What is a PRRS?
A Person Responsible for Racking Safety — a trained member of your team appointed under BS EN 15635 to carry out weekly visual checks and coordinate damage reporting. PRRS training is included with our inspection service.
What happens if red-rated damage is found?
Any red-classified bay must be offloaded and isolated immediately until repaired or replaced. We can carry out the necessary repairs on the same visit where possible to minimise operational disruption.
Do you inspect cold stores and freezer warehouses?
Yes — our SARI accredited inspectors are equipped and experienced to work in ambient, chilled and sub-zero environments across food processing, pharmaceutical and logistics sites.
How much does a pallet racking inspection cost?
Inspections are priced per bay with no hidden charges. Contact us with your bay count, racking type and site location for a transparent fixed-price quotation within 24 hours.
Book Your Pallet Racking Inspection Today
Protect your staff, your stock and your compliance record. Contact Somerset Storage Installations UK Ltd for professional pallet racking inspections anywhere in the UK, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. Fixed pricing. No hidden charges. Same-day quotations.
Call us
0800 654 6955
Email us
info@somersetstorageinstallations.co.uk
UK-wide coverage
England · Scotland · Wales · NI · Channel Islands