When it comes to warehouse safety, not all inspections are created equal. While many providers offer rack inspections, few deliver them to a standard that truly protects your people, property, and productivity.

In Ireland, regulatory requirements around rack inspections are minimal. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) provides only general guidance, with no formal licensing or nationally enforced inspection standards. That leaves businesses at risk of unknowingly falling short of safety obligations — and of facing serious consequences when things go wrong.

That’s why we’ve chosen to comply with European standards and UK best practice which is the most robust safety benchmark available: SEMA.

What EN 15635 Means for Warehouse Owners and Your Legal Obligations

EN 15635 is the European Standard that sets out guideline standards to follow e.g. the structural safety and proper use of steel pallet racking and static storage systems in warehouses. Because these storage systems operate alongside heavy machinery, such as forklifts.

For warehouse owners and operators, EN 15635 means you have a legal and moral responsibility to:

Appoint a competent person—someone with the right technical knowledge—to inspect your racking regularly, typically at least once every 12 months.

Carry out thorough inspections that check for any damage, deformation, or unsafe conditions in the racking structure.

Keep detailed records and reports of each inspection, including risk assessments and recommendations for repairs or load adjustments.

Act promptly on any safety concerns found during inspections to maintain compliance and protect your staff.

Regulatory Body

In Ireland, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) enforces the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, which requires employers to maintain a safe working environment — including safe use of storage systems. While there is no standalone racking-specific legislation, the HSA refers to EN 15635 as the accepted standard for racking safety. Businesses are expected to adhere to its principles and may be held accountable in the event of an incident.

EN 15635 is a European standard detailing best practices for the use and maintenance of steel static storage systems. It is available for purchase in Ireland through the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) at standards.ie.

Failure to meet EN 15635 requirements — such as appointing a competent person for annual inspections or maintaining documented reports — can result in penalties or prosecution following a workplace inspection or incident.

Partnering with a SEMA Approved Rack Inspector (SARI) ensures you meet the definition of a “competent person” as required under EN 15635. SARIs are certified experts who have undergone rigorous theoretical and practical assessment by SEMA — meaning their competence can be proven, documented, and defended if necessary. That level of assurance goes far beyond a basic visual check and is a major reason why so many safety-conscious businesses across Ireland and Northern Ireland rely on Storage Systems Limited.

How SEMA Certification & Accreditation Sets the Standard Irish Market

SEMA, the Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association, is the leading authority on safe design, installation, and use of storage equipment in the UK and is widely recognised across Europe. They are the only recognised Certifying body in Europe. All our inspections services are carried out by SEMA Approved Rack Inspectors (SARIs)—highly trained professionals who have undergone intensive theoretical and practical assessments to achieve this specialist qualification. SARIs follow strict guidelines set out by SEMA and the European standard EN 15635, ensuring every inspection is thorough, independent, and compliant. This level of expertise guarantees that your racking systems are assessed to the highest international safety standards, providing you with confidence and peace of mind.

Why Rack Safety Is a Business Imperative

If a pallet collapsed in your warehouse tomorrow, would your business be prepared to respond — legally, operationally, and reputationally?

Racking systems are the backbone of warehouse operations, but over time they suffer wear and tear that can compromise their integrity. Ignoring small issues today could result in a serious incident tomorrow. A collapsed rack can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities, damage to stock and infrastructure, lengthy downtime, and costly legal fallout.

The real-world consequences of a racking collapse go far beyond a maintenance issue:

• Serious injury — or even loss of life — to warehouse operatives
• Significant financial costs to replace damaged stock and storage systems
• Business disruption and lost productivity during investigation and repair
• Higher insurance premiums and potential legal action
• Damaged reputation with customers, investors, and insurers
• Loss of employee trust and reduced morale

Whether it’s a poorly stacked pallet, a minor forklift impact, or an overloaded beam, small errors can have devastating consequences. But with the right inspection partner, these risks are entirely avoidable.

Understanding the Essentials of Warehouse Safety

Every warehouse should have a clear and regularly updated risk assessment and a written safety statement tailored to its operations. This includes identifying hazards, implementing training for staff, displaying appropriate signage, and ensuring emergency protocols are in place.

It’s also vital that inspections and maintenance be carried out by competent professionals — especially when it comes to the structural elements of your racking system. While internal visual checks are useful, they don’t go far enough to uncover early warning signs of structural fatigue or unsafe load distribution.

What Is SEMA — and Why Does It Matter?

SEMA, the Storage Equipment Manufacturers’ Association, is the UK’s leading authority on the design, manufacturing, installation, and inspection of racking systems. Their inspection programme is recognised across Europe as the gold standard.

At Storage Systems Limited, we’re proud to be a SEMA Accredited member and currently the only SEMA Accredited member company in Ireland. Our SEMA Approved Rack Inspectors (SARIs) are independently trained, rigorously assessed, and held to the highest industry standards. When our SEMA inspectors inspect your racking, you can trust the report is objective, accurate, and actionable.

Storage Systems Rack inspections aren’t just a box-ticking exercise. It’s a comprehensive safety evaluation that supports both legal compliance and operational excellence. We use a clear traffic light system to categorise risks and provide you with a detailed report outlining next steps, whether it’s minor adjustments or urgent repairs.

What Makes a SEMA Inspection Different?

Unlike basic visual checks, our SEMA inspections are in-depth technical assessments. We examine load capacities, signs of wear, installation quality, and component condition. We’re trained to spot early-stage damage and advise on measures to extend the life of your system.

We also provide impartial recommendations, not sales pitches. Our goal is to keep your team safe and your operations running smoothly.