You may not realise it, but your racking plays a critical role towards helping your business run profitably. The right storage can help you make the most of your space, enhance picking efficiency, protect stock from damage while also creating a safe working environment for your employees.
Making Racking Easy
It can feel like a daunting task but here at Whittan, we want to make it easy for you. With over 70 years in the industry, we can use our experience to help you identify the best solution for your business. Our solutions go from a complex turnkey project all the way through to more simple, individual requirements. You can choose from a variety of services including design, project management, expert installation, maintenance, training and inspection.
So, when setting up the warehouse, what do you need to consider?
Step 1: Get the Design Right
Firstly, you need to see the quality of the design on offer before deciding which is the best route for your business.
We know our experienced project management team can work with your business to create the optimum storage solution to meet your timescale and budget. We are so confident we can meet your requirements we offer our design service completely free of charge.
Part of this package includes our site survey where we assess whether your facility can safely accommodate the equipment and look carefully at potential clashes and hazards on site. By addressing any possible issues, we aim to speed up installation, reduce costs and prevent the risks of project overrun. We also look at the floor condition, load capability, layout of the facility as well as any information required to produce method statements and risk assessments.
Step 2: Choose the Correct Racking for the Job
With so many different types of racking available on the market, choosing the right system can be a bit of a minefield.
Whittan can supply you with almost everything you need for setting up your warehouse. Our pallet racking is available in a wide range of sizes and duties that can be easily configured to meet precise criteria. Alternatively, our range of shelving solutions can create anything from a few simple shelving bays all the way through to a multi-tier structure. If you have space available at height, then you might want to consider building up by choosing one of our mezzanine solutions to create usable floor space. Our solutions are supported by our range of accessories that aim to maximise your storage space, optimise stock control rotation and increase picking efficiency.
For that extra level of reassurance, Whittan are Full Manufacturing Members of SEMA (the Storage Equipment Manufacturer’s Association), a leading voice on safety within the storage industry. Being part of SEMA means that our products must meet rigorous standards and they are submitted into independent product design assessments. This provides a guarantee to our customers that they have been designed by a structural engineer to meet SEMA’s stringent codes to meet precise criteria under specified conditions.
Step 3: Meet Your Legal Requirements
Planning a large storage scheme? Did you know you also have a legal responsibility under the Health & Safety Executive’s (HSE) Construction Design & Management Regulations 2015 to check your racking supplier’s quality credentials and ensure they meet health and safety requirements and use trained labour.
Whilst we operate in most cases as a contractor, our experience in large scale storage scheme installations means that we can take on the role of principle contractors. This not only ensures you fulfil the requirements of the regulations, but it can also pay dividends by improving communications between key parties to reduce overall cost and delays and increase safety on site.
Step 4: Correct Installation
Installation of your storage equipment is a major factor in ensuring it is fitted in a safe and efficient manner and ready for its intended purpose. We place great emphasis on the safe design, installation and technical performance of all our products.
We use our own installation teams, and we fully endorse the Storage Equipment Installers Registration Scheme (SEIRS) provided through SEMA which is nationally recognised by the HSE. The qualification is also a requirement to obtain a Construction Related Occupation certification under the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).
Additionally, our quality assurance systems, assessed to ISO 9001, cover not only manufacturing, but also installation, ensuring that all processes are formalised and regularly audited.
Step 5: Longevity and Safety of Your Racking
It doesn’t matter how careful you are with your racking, damage will occur from time to time. Under the HSE’s PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment) regulations your racking system is classed as work equipment, and it is your responsibility to ensure it is maintained and inspected correctly for the health and safety of your employees.
This includes implementing an ongoing regime of daily and weekly checks performed by a trained member of staff. Once or twice a year you must submit to an Expert Inspection undertaken by a qualified specialist.
We have a skilled team of safety engineers who are qualified as SEMA Approved Rack Inspectors. Their in-depth inspection will report on the status of your installation regardless of the original supplier and ensure the safety and structural integrity of your racking systems.
If you’re planning your warehouse, then get in touch with one of our experts today to see how we can help you make a big difference. Call 01952 682251 or email enquiries@whittan.com.
