The Health & Safety Executive and S.E.M.A. recommend an ‘Onion skin’ approach, consisting of various types of inspection, requiring different levels of knowledge.

Depending on the type of operation, whether it be ’24 / 7’ or one where there are very few pallet movements, the frequency of inspection will also vary. Other factors, such as seasonal peaks in activity & the use of agency or contract staff may also have a bearing.

HSG [76] - Warehousing and storage - A guide to health and safety. https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg76.pdf

Racking inspection and maintenance
641 In general, racking is manufactured from relatively lightweight materials and, as a consequence, there is a limit to the amount of abuse that it can withstand. The skill of lift truck operators has a great bearing on the amount of damage likely to be caused. Any damage to racking will reduce its load carrying capacity. The greater the damage the less its strength will be.
642 To ensure that a racking installation continues to be serviceable and safe, the storage equipment should be inspected on a regular basis. The frequency of inspections depends on a variety of factors that are particular to the site concerned and should be determined by a nominated ‘Person Responsible for Racking Safety’ [PRRS] to suit the operating conditions of the warehouse. This will take into account the frequency and method of operation together with the dimensions of the warehouse, the equipment used and personnel involved, all of which could damage the structure. The inspection follows a hierarchical approach using several levels of inspection.
Immediate reporting
643 As soon as a safety problem or damage is observed by any employee, it should immediately be reported to the PRRS. You should have systems in place for reporting damage and defects.
644 Employees should receive training, information and instruction on the safe operation of the racking system, including the parts affecting their safety and the safety of others.
Visual inspections
645 The PRRS should ensure that inspections are made at weekly or other regular intervals based on risk assessment. A formal written record should be maintained.
‘Expert’ inspections
646 A technically competent person should carry out inspections at intervals of not more than 12 months. A written report should be submitted to the PRRS with observations and proposals for any action necessary.
647 A technically competent person might be a trained specialist within an organisation, a specialist from the rack supplier, or an independent qualified rack inspector.
648 A programme of rack awareness training is run regularly by SEMA to address the issue of visual inspection and a more formal course is run to qualify expert inspectors under the SARI [SEMA approved rack inspector] scheme.
649 Normal rack inspections will be carried out from ground level unless there are indications of problems at high level that need investigation.

The S.E.M.A. Codes of Practice also require the Supplier of the Racking System to provide the ‘End User’ with appropriate information, for them to be able to inspect & maintain the system.

4. SUPPLIERS RESPONSIBILITIES  
4.1 INFORMATION REQUIRED  
The information, provided by the supplier of the storage system to enable the user to safely use the storage system, should include the following items:-  
1. The technical limitations of the use of the racking including the load carrying capacities.  
2. The dangers of altering the rack configuration without prior consultation with the supplier.  
3. The requirements for inspecting and maintaining the racking.  
4.2 LOAD NOTICE  
The supplier should provide a load notice for the racking system.  
The notice should indicate the maximum unit loads and should be displayed prominently in the warehouse.
A full set of load notices is provided in the S.E.M.A. publication ‘Load Notices’.  
Loading notices shall be changed if the configuration of the racking is modified.  
4.3 RACK PROTECTION  
The supplier should, where appropriate, provide information on the rack protection equipment provided with the storage system. 
4.4 DESIGN  
The supplier should ensure that the design and layout is in accordance with the relevant S.E.M.A. and manufacturers requirements as appropriate.  
4.5 INSTALLATION  
If it is specified that the installation work is not to be carried out by the supplier, then the supplier should provide written assembly and installation instructions including tolerance requirements.    
It is assumed that all installation is carried out by S.E.I.R.S. registered installers in accordance with S.E.M.A. guidelines, including the installation and erection tolerance guidelines.  
No damaged components should be installed and any components damaged during installation should be replaced prior to handover. Handover documentation should confirm that the installation has been installed in accordance with S.E.M.A. guidelines.
4.6 QUALITY CONTROL  
The design, manufacture and installation should be subject to the S.E.M.A. QAS [S.E.M.A. quality assurance scheme].
     
EXTRACT FROM :- S.E.M.A. CoP FOR THE USE OF STATIC PALLET RACKING - 2010.
AVAILABLE HERE :- https://www.sema.org.uk/product/code-of-practice-for-the-use-of-static-pallet-racking-pdf-compliment...

9.1 DOCUMENTATION  
The following documentation is to be provided:-  
1. INSTALLATION MANUAL  
If the rack is to be erected by others and not by the designer / manufacturer, then sufficient information must be provided to allow the racking to be safely installed.
2. USER MANUAL  
Sufficient information must be provided to the user to allow the safe use of the cantilever racking.  
Load notices are to be provided as part of this information.  
3. STATUTORY INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE  
Sufficient information must be provided to the user to make the user aware of the statutory inspection & maintenance requirements.  

EXTRACT FROM :- S.E.M.A. CoP For The Design & Use Of Cantilever Racking Systems - 2004, 2010 & 2015.