50_SHD_May.qxd:ShD re-design 1/5/07 09:38 Page 50
■ Racking & shelving
Is this
your problem?
This month, SEMA – the Storage Equipment Manufacturers’ Association – brings you
questions and answers relating to retro-fitting a stop or brake to moveable racking and
repositioning adjustable pallet racking beams.
Fitting a stop / brake to moveable A. We would suggest that you initially contact adjustable beam pallet racking beams –
racking the original manufacturer of the equipment assuming that it is within the design
and discuss your problem with them as they parameters of the structure, and
Q. Please could you provide me with some may well have a series of optional extras for compliance with standard Health & Safety
advice regarding a rather old racking their product that would answer your problem. procedures etc?
system that has been inherited from If you have no joy with that organisation - what are the SEMA guidelines for old
another part of my organisation and has we would suggest that you contact one of the adjustable beam pallet racking not
long since lost any operating manuals, etc. SEMA members who manufacture a range of equipped for beam locking pins?
The racking system is fixed to the floor and very similar products and do provide parking
can be moved by a series of steering wheel brakes such as you describe. They might be
type handles but does not have any prepared to carry out modifications on one of A. Taking your first query, we have to admit
mechanism to prevent one part being their competitor’s products, though it is that this is something of a grey area. We do
moved while someone is in another part – it suspected that they would try to sell you a not know of any specific rules that oblige
relies upon people checking along the more modern electric powered unit which can particular qualifications on people
aisles. be equipped with various types of sensors and repositioning beams within a pallet racking
We would like to introduce a stop/brake other safety devices which prevent crushing in system.
to prevent this from happening. Is there the aisles. If there were ever problems with this
anything currently on the market? Your A very simple alternative would be to have activity it is likely that HSE would use the
assistance would be greatly appreciated. a drop down arm that mechanically prevents obligations of PUWER, Workplace Health
movement while people are in the aisle. Such Safety and Welfare Regulations or other
devices are normally within the ability of a similar regulations that oblige an employer to
competent maintenance provide a safe place and method of work for
department to fit. However, they their employees. It is fairly obvious that
do depend on operatives using moving beams around will change carrying
them in the correct manner and capacities and require the rack configuration
achieving this may not be as design to be checked after each move to
straightforward as it sounds! ensure that it will carry the load expected of it
and that revised load warning signs have been
Repositioning adjustable provided where necessary.
pallet racking beams To ensure that the people moving beams
have the necessary knowledge and training to
Q. Could you please clarify a understand what is required and to ensure that
couple of points? this is done might sensibly demand a level of
- are there any specific competence that can be demonstrated by some
requirements or qualifications formal training programme such as the SEIRS
for users when repositioning (Storage Equipment Installers Registration
50 ShD May 2007
www.PressOnShD.com
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