Who should carry out the weekly racking check?

A trained Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS) nominated by the duty-holder. The PRRS does not need to be SARI-qualified but should have completed PRRS training.

Does the weekly check replace the annual SARI inspection?

No. SEMA and HSG76 require both — a weekly visual check by the PRRS and a full expert inspection at least every 12 months by a technically competent person such as a SARI inspector.

Weekly Racking Inspection Checklist (PRRS)

Why a weekly check matters

SEMA and HSE HSG76 expect a weekly visual inspection of all pallet racking by a nominated Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS), in addition to the annual expert (SARI) inspection. The weekly check catches impact damage and missing safety components between full inspections — when most real-world warehouse incidents actually occur.

Before you start

Have a copy of the previous week's log and the latest annual report.
Wear PPE: hi-vis, safety boots, eye protection.
Coordinate with FLT operations so you can safely access every aisle.
Carry a torch, a plumb line or laser level, and a camera.

The weekly checklist

1. Uprights and frames

Walk every run, both sides. Look at the bottom 1m of each upright — this is where 80% of impact damage occurs.
Check for dents, bends, twists or splits in uprights and bracing.
Use a plumb line or laser to spot frames that are out-of-plumb (SEMA limit: 1/200 of height).

2. Base plates and floor fixings

Confirm every upright is sat squarely on its base plate.
Check floor fixings (anchor bolts) are present and tight — no missing bolts, no rust bloom.
Look for cracks or spalling in the concrete slab around the base.

3. Beams and connectors

Sight along beams for deflection — visible sag under load is a Red-risk indicator.
Check beam end connectors are fully seated, with no signs of distortion.
Confirm safety locks/pins are fitted on every beam — missing pins are the single most common defect.

4. Protection and signage

Column guards and end-frame protectors fitted at every aisle end.
Load notices in place, legible, and matching the installed configuration.
No unauthorised modifications (cut-outs, welded repairs, mixed manufacturer components).

5. Pallets and stock

Pallets in good condition — no broken bottom boards or missing blocks.
Stock within pallet footprint, not overhanging.
Top-beam loads not exceeding rated capacity.

Logging and escalation

Every check must be logged — date, inspector name, area covered, findings, photographs. Classify damage using the SEMA Red / Amber / Green system:

Green — within acceptable limits. Note and monitor.
Amber — exceeds limits. Off-load and replace within 4 weeks.
Red — significant risk of collapse. Off-load and isolate the run immediately. Do not reload until repaired and re-checked.

If anything is classified Red or you are unsure, stop and book an expert SARI inspection — don't wait for the next annual cycle.

Download & print

Need this as a printable PDF for your PRRS folder? Get in touch and we'll send the RS Inspect weekly checklist template free of charge.

Weekly racking inspection checklist