The Solution for Racking Safety, Racking Inspections for Oil Rigs
You’re probably asking yourself why we are covering a niche topic such as offshore racking safety. Yet earlier this week, we received an enquiry regarding the racking inspection requirements on an offshore oil rig – stirring lively conversations at the Nene Warehouse Solutions office and raising the question – how do you maintain storage equipment based on an offshore platform?
It is more complicated than you might think. Air-tight security procedures and strict health and safety policies on offshore platforms – not to mention the logistical challenges – make the typically straightforward process of conducting an expert inspection carried out by a SEMA-approved racking inspector (SARI) impractical at best. With approximately 260 offshore gas and oil platforms occupying UK waters – ranging from 3- to 500km off the mainland – all utilising some form of storage equipment, how exactly can we ensure this equipment is safe and appropriately regulated?
If you operate within the warehouse and logistics sectors – where storage equipment plays a vital role in daily operations – you will undoubtedly be well-versed in racking safety regulations and how crucial a rigorous programme of regular in-house racking inspections can be to the health of your equipment and the safety of your team. Like any workplace equipment, your racking can be the backbone of your success when well maintained and a potentially fatal hazard when neglected.
Racking Inspections are a legislative requirement of the HSE. Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations in 1998 (PUWER), pallet racking is classed as work equipment and thus subject to inspection. The HSE recommends your storage equipment undergo a thorough inspection conducted by a SEMA-approved racking inspector (SARI) annually, at a minimum.
Employers also have a moral duty to ensure that their workplace equipment and storage conditions are safe and regularly checked. The frequency of inspections will depend on the size and complexity of an installation in addition to the level of operating activity in the location.
But irrespective of the role your storage equipment plays in your workplace – or, in the case of offshore platforms, the location of your storage equipment plays in your workplace – the necessity for informed rack awareness, racking inspections and best operational practices are still very much present. So how do you ensure your team is appropriately trained to work with and maintain your storage equipment? One such way is by implementing a PRRS at your facility.
Internal Racking Inspection
PRRS stands for Person Responsible for Racking Safety. SEMA and the HSE (in HSG 76) describe the PRRS as being responsible for coordinating the various aspects of rack safety and ensuring that the racking is used, inspected and maintained under the appropriate regulations and guidelines.
This role is typically designated to an in-house team member – making it perfect for offshore platforms. They oversee weekly racking inspections of your storage equipment and ensure it remains serviceable and safe. The PRRS ensures that the racking is correctly installed and maintained under SEMA guidelines and that a hierarchical approach to racking inspections is followed.
For PRRS inspections to work effectively, your business will require formal documented systems of reporting damage, defects, and any other issues that may affect the safety of your operation. A follow-up process must also be implemented to ensure the safe and timely offloading of damage according to its severity and that repairs are undertaken as soon as possible.
Racking Inspection Training
To ensure they fulfil the role safely and in line with all relevant regulations, your PRRS will need to receive comprehensive racking awareness training, information, and instruction on the safe operation of storage equipment – with particular attention paid to structural safety and the safety of others.
Nene Warehouse Solutions offer comprehensive Racking Safety Inspection Training to all our clients. The course includes an initial presentation, theory, and a hands-on practical session (using a mock warehouse where a racking inspection will take place), ending with a final review meeting including questions and answers. The topics covered to educate your team include; health safety, the longevity of your racking system, what to expect from a SEMA inspection, SMEA guidelines and racking visual assessment skills.
Other practical elements covered are:
- Learn new regulations and current SEMA guidelines
- identify components of the storage system
- Recognise damage and potential hazards
- learn how to report damage
- The importance of load-capacity signage
- How to prevent damage from occurring
Using the latest Racking Inspection Technology
Nene Warehouse Solutions continue to explore innovative solutions to streamline the process of storage equipment maintenance and compliance, allowing us to improve our services to you. That is why, Nene Warehouse Solutions are proud to partner with the multi-award winning Racking Inspection software Econform.
Econform was born out of an increasing demand for greater warehouse safety. Passionate about making warehouses efficient and safe, Econform are the innovators that have simplified the process of managing warehouse safety. With its intuitive design, the multi-award winning warehouse racking inspection tech offers complete control of your warehouse estates. This helps you stay up to date and fully understand the condition of your storage system in real-time. Econform helps you to ensure your workplace conforms to all statutory legal requirements.
With automatic syncing between your smart device and the web app providing real-time analytics, you can see inspection results across all sites which can help identify weaknesses in your operations that could lead to an incident. Our inspection and action management workflows reduce risk, and along with our powerful reporting, allows you to stay updated on your organisation’s performance wherever you are. With it’s built in online rack awareness training too, the PRRS can keep up to date and refresh their knowledge whenever, and more importantly in the case of offshore working, wherever they want!
Speak To The Experts
Indeed, offshore racking safety is just as important as in any other sector. The necessity for informed rack awareness, racking inspections, and best operational practices are very much present. Being proactive, organised, and methodical in your approach to racking safety is crucial for maintaining a healthy system and ensuring the well-being of your employees.
On an annual basis, Nene Warehouse Solutions conduct both SEMA-approved and competent-person racking inspections in support of the varied business types that form our loyal client base: from large-scale distribution centres, cold stores and freezers to merchants, retail, finance, IT, automotive, health, and education services. Our training services draw upon this well of knowledge and experience to ensure our clients are best equipped to operate safely and efficiently.
If you want to become an offshore PRRS, book our Racking inspection Training for your team or find out more information on racking safety and awareness, contact our team today.