Who is Competent to Inspect Storage Racks?
Some rack suppliers are sending mis-leading information to businesses using scare tactics to drum up more work with statements like;
“All racking purchased on or after 2012 must comply with AS 4084”, or
“Only rack companies are allowed to conduct the annual inspections”.
These and similar assertions may represent best practice but are an exaggeration.
Background
The Australian Standard AS 4084: Steel Storage Racking Part 2: Operation and Maintenance was updated and re-released in 2023.
The new standard amended the wording around rack inspections, and introduced the terms:
“Informal Inspections” and “Formal Inspections”.
It states in part that informal inspections are the responsibility of the end user, and the frequency of inspection to be based on risk assessment or intervals recommended by a competent person.
A competent person is defined in the standard as a person who has acquired through training, qualification or experience the knowledge and skills to carry out the task effectively and safely. There is no regulation prescribing the qualifications required to conduct rack inspections.
Competent Person for Formal Inspections
A foot note in the standard says a competent person for formal inspections may include rack designers, engineers and installers, or people who have similar knowledge and experience with steel storage racking.
This foot note has caused some people to infer that only racking supply companies are allowed to conduct the formal (annual) rack inspections.
Using your rack supplier for your formal (annual) inspections is probably more convenient for most businesses, because of their specialised experience and their ability to immediately repair any defects found.
Legal Obligation & Status of Standards
The legal requirement for all racking and structures is that they are safe, not that they necessarily comply with AS 4084, or any other standard.
Australian Standards provide guidance on best practice but are not regulations. Therefore, businesses have options on how they ensure the safety of their racking and related structures.
Recommendations
We recommend every business with steel storage racking:
Avoid making rush decisions if approached by a rack supplier insisting you must engage them to conduct an annual inspection.
Decide what frequency of informal (internal) inspections are appropriate for your circumstances.
Train your selected staff to conduct the informal rack inspections. eg weekly, monthly or quarterly.
Keep a record of rack inspection training, completed inspections, and copy of the “as-built” drawings.
Decide if you are going to conduct the formal (annual) rack inspection using your own competent staff, or engage a racking specialist eg engineer or rack supplier.
Further Information
If you have any questions or desire a quote for Safety Action Pty Ltd to train your team in rack inspections call us on 03 85 444 300 or email us at enquiries@safetyaction.com.au.
Videos and Online Rack Inspection Training
Check out our videos on rack inspections or online rack inspection training on our website per links below.
