Warehouse safety is not only a matter of the employer’s goodwill but, above all, a legal requirement. In accordance with the regulation of the minister of labor and social policy and the european standard, every storage system requires regular inspection. In this article, we explain what the inspection procedures look like and why they are the foundation for ensuring warehouse safety.
Why is regular rack inspection mandatory?
Warehouse racks are work equipment subject to wear and tear. Daily forklift operations, high static loads, and dynamic loading processes mean the structure can undergo deformations that are invisible at first glance.
The law imposes an obligation on the employer to ensure that storage equipment is in a technical condition that does not endanger employees’ lives. Ignoring this duty can result not only in a fine from the National Labour Inspectorate but, in extreme cases, in a structural disaster and criminal liability.
Who is the PRSES and what are their tasks?
The PN-EN 15635 standard introduces the concept of PRSES (Person Responsible for Storage Equipment Safety). This is an individual appointed by the company’s management who is responsible for the safety of the storage systems.
The tasks of the PRSES include:
- Maintaining the technical documentation of the warehouse.
- Supervising the timeliness of inspections.
- Liaising with rack suppliers and maintenance services.
- Training employees on how to report damage.
A PRSES does not have to be an engineer, but they must possess knowledge regarding the specifics of warehouse operations and rack-related hazards.
Types of rack inspections: ongoing vs. expert
The safety control system is based on two pillars: frequent internal visual checks and periodic external audits.
Weekly inspection – what to look for?
The standard recommends conducting visual inspections at regular intervals, usually once a week. These are performed by the PRSES or a designated employee. The goal is the quick detection of visible damage, such as:
- Dents on uprights and beams (transoms).
- Missing safety pins for beams.
- Damage to the floor around the rack baseplates.
- Unstably placed pallets.
Annual inspection – the role of an external expert
An expert inspection must take place at least once every 12 months. It can only be performed by a person with the appropriate competencies. During this audit, factors such as upright verticality, beam deflection under load, and the condition of bolted connections are verified. The result of the inspection is a detailed report specifying the state of the installation.
You can read more about how defects are evaluated in our article on rack damage classification.
Inspection documentation – how to maintain a report logbook?
Every event, repair, or component replacement must be recorded. The inspection logbook is the first document a labor inspector will request in the event of an accident. It should contain inspection dates, the names of the inspectors, a list of detected defects, and the date of their rectification.
Legal consequences of missing valid technical inspections
The lack of a valid expert inspection can be grounds for an insurer to refuse an indemnity payment in the event of a rack failure. Regular rack maintenance is therefore not a cost, but an investment in the company’s business stability.