When it comes to warehouse safety, not all inspections are created equal. While many providers offer rack inspections, few deliver them to a standard that truly protects your people, property, and productivity.

In Ireland, regulatory requirements around rack inspections are minimal. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) provides only general guidance, with no formal licensing or nationally enforced inspection standards. That leaves businesses at risk of unknowingly falling short of safety obligations — and of facing serious consequences when things go wrong.

That’s why we’ve chosen to follow European and UK best practice which is the most robust safety benchmark available: SEMA.

SEMA Accreditation Sets Us Apart in the Irish Market

Why Rack Safety Is a Business Imperative

If a pallet collapsed in your warehouse tomorrow, would your business be prepared to respond — legally, operationally, and reputationally?

Racking systems are the backbone of warehouse operations, but over time they suffer wear and tear that can compromise their integrity. Ignoring small issues today could result in a serious incident tomorrow. A collapsed rack can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities, damage to stock and infrastructure, lengthy downtime, and costly legal fallout.

The real-world consequences of a racking collapse go far beyond a maintenance issue:

• Serious injury — or even loss of life — to warehouse operatives
• Significant financial costs to replace damaged stock and storage systems
• Business disruption and lost productivity during investigation and repair
• Higher insurance premiums and potential legal action
• Damaged reputation with customers, investors, and insurers
• Loss of employee trust and reduced morale

Whether it’s a poorly stacked pallet, a minor forklift impact, or an overloaded beam, small errors can have devastating consequences. But with the right inspection partner, these risks are entirely avoidable.

Understanding the Essentials of Warehouse Safety

Every warehouse should have a clear and regularly updated risk assessment and a written safety statement tailored to its operations. This includes identifying hazards, implementing training for staff, displaying appropriate signage, and ensuring emergency protocols are in place.

It’s also vital that inspections and maintenance be carried out by competent professionals — especially when it comes to the structural elements of your racking system. While internal visual checks are useful, they don’t go far enough to uncover early warning signs of structural fatigue or unsafe load distribution.

What Is SEMA — and Why Does It Matter?

SEMA, the Storage Equipment Manufacturers’ Association, is the UK’s leading authority on the design, manufacturing, installation, and inspection of racking systems. Their inspection programme is recognised across Europe as the gold standard.

At Storage Systems Limited, we’re proud to be a SEMA Accredited member and currently the only SEMA Accredited member company in Ireland. Our SEMA Approved Rack Inspectors (SARIs) are independently trained, rigorously assessed, and held to the highest industry standards. When our SEMA inspectors inspect your racking, you can trust the report is objective, accurate, and actionable.

Storage Systems Rack inspections aren’t just a box-ticking exercise. It’s a comprehensive safety evaluation that supports both legal compliance and operational excellence. We use a clear traffic light system to categorise risks and provide you with a detailed report outlining next steps, whether it’s minor adjustments or urgent repairs.

What Makes a SEMA Inspection Different?

Unlike basic visual checks, our SEMA inspections are in-depth technical assessments. We examine load capacities, signs of wear, installation quality, and component condition. We’re trained to spot early-stage damage and advise on measures to extend the life of your system.

We also provide impartial recommendations, not sales pitches. Our goal is to keep your team safe and your operations running smoothly.

Leading Health & Safety in the Irish Market

While the HSA doesn’t currently enforce racking inspections by law, it does reference UK HSE guidance — which strongly recommends an annual inspection by a qualified external expert. Routine in-house checks throughout the year should support, not replace, this process.

As a member of the EU that mirrors UK best practices, Ireland’s expectations for workplace safety are increasingly clear. Partnering with a SEMA-accredited company like ours is one of the best ways to stay ahead of legal obligations and industry standards.

Building Safer Warehouses Together

At Storage Systems Limited, we have nearly 5 decades of industry experience supporting businesses across logistics, pharmaceuticals, food, and manufacturing. Our SARI accredited inspectors not only help prevent accidents — they build trust, protect investment, and improve operational efficiency.

Ask yourself:

• Are you confident your current inspection process would stand up to scrutiny?
• Would your team know what to do in the event of a racking failure?
• Are you proactively managing your responsibilities — or reacting after issues arise?

Choosing a professional racking provider and complementing your system with SEMA-approved inspections means you’re not just ticking boxes — you’re building resilience into your operations.