NEW RACK SAFETY INSPECTION PARTNERSHIP WILL BENEFIT OPERATORS
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has joined with the Storage Equipment Safety Service Ltd (SESS) to provide a comprehensive inspection service targeted at increasing warehouse safety by regular racking inspections. This new service brings together the market leader in rack safety inspections with the market leader in vehicle inspections, and builds on the experience and strengths of both parties.
Faulty warehouse racking has the potential to cause expensive damage to goods and property as well as safety dangers to personnel. Racking failures can result in both high costs and tragic consequences. And there is a range of legal requirements which oblige operators to maintain equipment in a safe and sound condition.
Both SESS and FTA have offered racking surveys and inspections for some years. The services are totally unbiased, as neither organisation manufactures, sells, nor repairs racking installations. The rack safety inspections provide a comprehensive and accurate report on the condition of the racking, detailing action and recommendations for repair, maintenance or replacement of the damaged rack components.
FTA's Director of Audit Services, Alan Osborne says, 'We are delighted to be joining with SESS to provide this enhanced service for the warehouse and distribution industry. Our partnership brings together the national network provided by the Freight Transport Association, and our reputation for quality and care, with the in-depth and specialist expertise of SESS personnel. This partnership will work to the benefit of those responsible for warehouse and storage operations across the country.'
Philip Pinel, Managing Director of SESS said, 'Our partnership with FTA will enable us to deliver both safety and economic benefits to the industry. Our track record shows that customers have improved health and safety as well as making savings on avoidable costs by regular rack safety inspections. Teaming up with FTA will further improve that record.'
All rack safety inspections carried out under the partnership will be conducted in accordance with SEMA (Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association) and FEM (Fédération Européenne de la Manutention) codes of practice and guidelines and the SESS rack safety inspection risk assessment methodology. The inspectors will all be SEMA Approved Rack Inspectors (SARI).
The FTA/SESS partnership will be formally launched at the Safety & Health Expo 2007 on 23 May 2007 at the NEC, Birmingham.