HSG76 Explained: What Warehouse Managers Need to Know About Racking Inspections
If you manage a warehouse, you've probably heard of HSG76 — but do you know what it actually requires of you?
HSG76 is the Health & Safety Executive's guidance document on warehousing and storage. It's not a piece of legislation in itself, but it reflects the legal duties placed on employers under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998. Ignoring it isn't an option.
What Does HSG76 Say About Racking?
The document is clear: pallet racking is work equipment, and as such it must be:
- Maintained in a safe condition at all times
- Inspected at regular intervals by a competent person
- Repaired or taken out of use when damage is identified
The HSE recommends inspections at least every 12 months as a minimum — and more frequently in environments where racking is subject to regular forklift traffic, heavy loading, or high throughput.
Who Is a "Competent Person"?
This is where many warehouse operators get caught out. HSG76 doesn't just say "have someone look at it" — it specifies that inspections must be carried out by a person with the knowledge, training, and experience to identify defects accurately.
A SEMA Approved Rack Inspector (SARI) is the industry-recognised qualification that meets this standard. SARI-qualified inspectors have passed a rigorous independent assessment and are listed on the SEMA register. Their reports are structured, photographic, and defensible — exactly what the HSE expects to see.
A quick walk-around by a member of your own staff, however well-intentioned, does not meet the HSG76 standard for a formal inspection.
What Happens If You Don't Comply?
The consequences of non-compliance can be severe:
- HSE investigation and potential prosecution following a racking-related incident
- Fines — HSE prosecutions in the warehousing sector have resulted in penalties of £100,000 or more
- Insurance claims disputed or rejected if you cannot demonstrate regular inspections
- Civil liability if an employee is injured as a result of damaged racking
Beyond the financial risk, there's the human cost. Racking collapses are a known, documented hazard in warehousing — and they are almost always preventable.
What Does a Proper Inspection Cover?
A SARI inspection from True Space Solutions covers every element of your racking system:
- Full visual assessment of uprights, beams, and connectors
- SEMA Red / Amber / Green risk classification for every defect identified
- Load notice review — are your bays correctly rated for the loads being placed on them?
- Floor fixing and base plate condition
- Aisle widths and forklift impact damage
- A written report with photographic evidence and prioritised recommendations
The result is a clear, documented record of your racking's condition — and a roadmap for any remedial work required.
Don't Wait for Something to Go Wrong
Two phrases we hear regularly on site are: "We've never had it inspected before" and "We've never had a problem before." But an absence of incidents doesn't necessarily mean the racking is safe — it may simply mean you've been fortunate so far. Our usual response is simple: don't confuse being lucky with being safe. HSG76 is about taking a proactive approach to warehouse safety, identifying issues early and making sure the right inspection and reporting processes are in place before something goes wrong.
Book your SARI racking inspection with True Space Solutions — SEMA Approved Rack Inspectors covering the Midlands, including Hinckley, Daventry, Lutterworth, Rugby, Northampton, and Coventry.