What Is a SEMA Approved Rack Inspector (SARI) — and Why Does It Matter?
When it comes to pallet racking inspections, the qualification of your inspector matters more than most warehouse managers realise.
Under HSG76 — the HSE's guidance on warehousing and storage — inspections must be carried out by a "competent person": someone with the knowledge, training, and experience to identify defects accurately and assess their significance. The question is: who actually meets that standard?
What Is a SARI?
A SEMA Approved Rack Inspector (SARI) is an individual who has passed a rigorous independent assessment administered by the Storage Equipment Manufacturers' Association (SEMA). The assessment tests both theoretical knowledge and practical inspection skills — it's not a short course or an in-house certificate.
SARI-qualified inspectors are listed on the SEMA register, which is publicly searchable. That means you can verify your inspector's credentials before they set foot in your warehouse.
Why Does the Qualification Matter?
Anyone can walk around a warehouse with a clipboard and call it a racking inspection. But without the right training, they may miss:
- Hairline cracks in uprights — often invisible unless you know exactly where to look
- Overloaded bays — where the load notice doesn't reflect what's actually being stored
- Damaged base plates — which can compromise the structural integrity of an entire run
- Connector failures — where beam locks have been knocked out and not replaced
A SARI inspector knows what to look for, how to classify what they find, and how to communicate it in a way that's actionable and defensible.
The SEMA Risk Classification System
One of the most important tools a SARI inspector uses is SEMA's Red / Amber / Green risk classification:
- Green — Damage falls within SEMA limits. Record it and review it at the next inspection; Green does not mean the damage should be ignored.
- Amber Risk — Damage requiring remedial work within 4 weeks. Immediate offloading is not required, but once affected pallet locations are emptied they must not be refilled until repairs are completed. If not repaired within 4 weeks, the item becomes Red Risk.
- Red Risk — High levels of damage requiring the affected area to be immediately offloaded and isolated from use until repairs are completed.
This system gives warehouse managers a clear, consistent framework for prioritising repairs — and it's the language that insurers and HSE investigators understand.
What a SARI Report Looks Like
A proper SARI inspection report includes:
- A full written record of every defect identified, with its risk classification
- Photographic evidence for each finding
- Load notice review — confirming whether bays are correctly rated
- Recommendations for remedial action, prioritised by risk level
- Inspector's SEMA credentials and signature
This is the documentation you need for insurance purposes, due diligence, and — in the worst case — an HSE investigation.
How to Check Your Inspector Is Genuinely SEMA Approved
Before booking any racking inspection, ask the inspector for their SEMA SARI registration number and verify it on the SEMA website. If they can't provide one, they are not SEMA approved — regardless of what their marketing materials say.
At True Space Solutions, both Aaron and Gary hold the SARI qualification. We're happy to provide our credentials before any inspection.
Don't Settle for Less
The difference between a SARI inspection and an unqualified walk-around isn't just a piece of paper. It's the difference between documented, defensible compliance and a false sense of security.
If your racking has never been formally inspected — or if your last inspection wasn't carried out by a SARI-qualified inspector — now is the time to put that right.
Book a SARI racking inspection with True Space Solutions — covering Hinckley, Daventry, Lutterworth, Rugby, Northampton, Coventry and surrounding areas across the Midlands.
See the full scope of our SEMA Approved Racking Inspection →