Independent Racking Inspections for Your Workplace
Understand the condition of your storage equipment and what needs attention.
A pallet racking inspection assesses the condition and use of your storage system, identifying visible damage, defects and safety concerns that need action.
Velocity Safety provides independent expert inspections for warehouses, distribution centres, manufacturing sites and stockrooms. We inspect racking and shelving, then provide a written report with observations and recommendations for any necessary remedial action.
Our inspection is independent of racking sales and repairs. You receive findings to act on without a repair service being sold alongside them.
Getting your inspection organised
- Inspection due? Share your last report and preferred timing.
- New or changed layout? Tell us what has been installed or altered.
- Inherited a warehouse? Send the records and equipment details you have.
Report damage promptly to your site’s responsible person; don’t wait for a scheduled visit.
Arrange Your Racking Inspection in Three Steps
From the initial enquiry to a report your site team can use.
1. Tell us about the site
Send the postcode, racking types, approximate number of bays and last inspection report, if available. Include access restrictions and any known concerns.
2. Confirm the visit
Discuss the inspection scope, quotation and safe access arrangements. Let us know about vehicle movements, restricted aisles and areas needing special access.
3. Receive written findings
We provide a downloadable PDF report for your PRRS, recording observations and proposed action where remedial work is needed.
Warehouse racking shown for illustration.
Make damage reporting part of daily work. Staff need a clear way to report impacts, damaged components and concerns to the person responsible for racking safety.
How Often Should Racking Be Inspected?
HSE’s HSG76 guidance describes three complementary levels of inspection:
- Immediate reporting — report observed damage or safety problems as soon as they are noticed.
- Regular visual checks — weekly, or at other regular intervals set by risk assessment, with a written record.
- Expert inspections — by a technically competent person at intervals of no more than 12 months.
Your Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS) coordinates the programme for the site. Expert inspections support the routine checks carried out between visits.
Is an annual racking inspection a legal requirement?
Workplace racking is work equipment. PUWER inspection duties apply where installation, deterioration or exceptional circumstances can create a safety risk. HSG76 is guidance, rather than a separate law; it recommends expert racking inspections at intervals not exceeding 12 months.
Inspection frequency should reflect the equipment, risk assessment and manufacturer’s instructions. Read HSE’s work equipment inspection guidance.
What if the racking has been hit or altered?
Report an impact, suspected serious damage or significant alteration promptly. Control access to an affected area and arrange competent assessment where safety may have been compromised. An earlier inspection report does not establish the safety of a subsequent change.
Racking Damage: Green, Amber & RedUnderstand the action behind the colour.
HSG76 explains these damage categories. A competent assessment determines the classification; this guide is not a self-inspection tool.
| Category | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Green | Within the surveillance category | Record and monitor; reassess at later inspections. |
| Amber | Damage requiring prompt remedial work | Once unloaded, do not reload until repaired. Escalate to red if unresolved after four weeks. |
| Red | Serious damage requiring immediate action | Arrange immediate safe offloading and isolate from use until remedied. |
Racking Inspection Costs & Quotations
Request a quote for your site. These details help us understand the work and access required:
Racking & site sizeSystem types, approximate bays and the areas to be inspected.
Location & accessPostcodes, operating hours, traffic and restricted areas.
Records & requirementsPrevious findings, layouts, known damage and your due date.
No exact count or previous report? Send what you have and we can discuss the next step.
Build your racking enquiry
Choose your situation and add the details you have. We’ll use them to review the scope and prepare your quote.
Your enquiry summary
You can enquire even if the racking type, size or previous records are unknown.
This prepares your enquiry; it does not assess whether racking is safe to use. Photos and records can be emailed to info@velocitysafety.co.uk.
Ready to organise your racking inspection?
Send your site details and the date your inspection is due.
Why Choose Velocity Safety?
Independent advice backed by practical health and safety experience.
12+ years of hands-on safety experience
Our team brings over 12 years of experience in the health and safety industry.
With no racking sales, repairs or maintenance service, our inspection findings are independent of any remedial work you may need to commission.
What you can expect
A clear inspection service and a written record for your site.
Independent inspections
We do not sell, repair or maintain storage systems.
Trained inspectors
Racking inspections carried out in line with HSG76 and SEMA guidance.
Downloadable reports
PDF findings for your Person Responsible for Racking Safety.
Practical recommendations
Observations and proposals for necessary remedial action.
UK-wide coverage
A Blackburn base supporting local and nationwide inspection enquiries.
Other Services for Warehouses & Stockrooms
Discuss related equipment inspections when planning your site requirements.
Ladder & Platform Inspections
Inspection enquiries for ladders, stepladders, podiums and platforms.
Lifting Equipment Examinations
Discuss thorough examinations for lifting equipment and accessories.
Fire Extinguisher Servicing
Plan servicing of the extinguishers protecting your premises.
Fixed Ladder Inspections
Condition checks for permanent access ladders around your site.
What Customers Say About Velocity Safety
Feedback from customers across our workplace safety services.
“After many issues with the inspectors from our insurer I contacted Ross to quote. He saved us just over £3000 in the first year. He also does weekends for us to reduce downtime.”
Joe, Civils Company Midlands
“After spending £20k purchasing the wrong powered air units for our factory on our previous PPE supplier/H&S advisors recommendations, Ross came in and told us what we needed, why we needed it and what cost savings could be had over the life of the equipment. I just wish we found him sooner.”
David, Engineering Company North West
“Great Service, Great guy nothing is too much trouble.”
John, Groundworks Company North West
Plan the Visit Around Your Site
Useful information to include when arranging a racking inspection.
Warehouses & distribution
Warehouses & distribution
Share the layout, approximate bay count and vehicle operating arrangements. Identify restricted aisles and busy loading or replenishment periods.
Manufacturing & engineering
Manufacturing & engineering
Include production storage, parts shelving and cantilever systems. Flag restricted areas, site inductions and known impacts.
Retail & stockrooms
Retail & stockrooms
Tell us about back-of-house shelving and pallet storage, access hours and any areas shared with staff or customers.
Facilities & multi-site teams
Facilities & multi-site teams
List the site postcodes, inspection dates and local contacts. Send previous reports and note which locations have different racking systems.
Pallet Racking Inspection FAQs
Answers about booking, preparation, responsibilities and the report you receive.
Booking & preparation
How much does a pallet racking inspection cost?
Contact us for a site-specific quotation. Include the location, racking types, approximate number of bays, access arrangements and preferred timing. A previous report or layout can help explain the scope.
Do you offer pallet racking inspections near me?
Velocity Safety is based in Blackburn and covers sites across the UK. We support Lancashire and the North West, including Preston, Burnley, Chorley, Blackpool, Lancaster, Warrington, Manchester and the Fylde Coast, as well as nationwide enquiries.
What if I do not know the racking make or bay count?
Send the information you have. Photographs, a layout or the previous report may help identify the equipment and scale of the inspection. Do not climb racking or enter an unsafe area to collect details.
Does the warehouse need to stop operating?
Discuss access and operating conditions before the visit. Vehicle movements, stock levels and restricted aisles can affect what can be inspected safely. Any traffic controls, stock movement or special access should be agreed for your site; we do not assume that every inspection can take place without disruption.
Inspections & responsibilities
Do weekly checks replace the expert inspection?
No. Routine visual checks and expert inspections serve different purposes. Your responsible person should maintain both as part of the site’s inspection programme.
What is a PRRS?
PRRS means Person Responsible for Racking Safety. This nominated person coordinates racking safety arrangements, including inspections, damage reporting, records and follow-up action.
What is the difference between HSG76 and SEMA?
HSG76 is HSE’s warehousing and storage guidance. SEMA is the Storage Equipment Manufacturers’ Association, which publishes industry guidance and operates training and inspector schemes. Following guidance is distinct from holding a particular inspector qualification.
Can missing load notices be resolved by an inspection alone?
A missing or unclear load notice needs investigation. Establish the correct capacity for the actual equipment and configuration using manufacturer or supplier information; do not guess a safe load from appearance. Tell us about missing notices or changed beam positions when enquiring.
Reports & remedial work
What report will I receive?
Velocity Safety provides a downloadable PDF inspection report with observations and proposals for necessary remedial action, for your Person Responsible for Racking Safety to review and act on.
Does Velocity Safety repair or replace damaged racking?
No. We provide an independent inspection service and do not sell, repair or maintain storage systems. Where remedial work is required, arrange it with a suitable provider and follow the restrictions and recommendations in the report.
Can we keep using racking after damage is found?
That depends on the competent assessment and any restrictions. Follow the action required for the affected equipment. Report new damage immediately and control access where safety may be compromised; do not treat an earlier report as permission to continue using damaged racking.
Is a racking inspection the same as a load test?
No. An inspection reviews the equipment’s condition and use. Do not assume it includes applying test loads, structural design calculations or recertifying an altered layout. Specify any additional requirement when requesting a quote.
Request a Pallet Racking Inspection Quote
Tell us where the site is, what racking you have and when the inspection is due. You can email photographs and previous reports to info@velocitysafety.co.uk with your enquiry details.
Request a quote
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Talk to the team
Not sure what you need? Call or email and we’ll help.
Our Blackburn base
Velocity SafetyUnit 7 Whitebirk Enterprise Centre
Lower Phillips Road
Blackburn, Lancashire
BB1 5UD
