Within tolerance, no immediate concern.
Action: continue to use; note and monitor at the next inspection.
Compliance Reference / IS EN 15635
Pallet Racking Inspection
Damaged racking collapses. Here is exactly what IS EN 15635 requires for inspecting pallet racking in Ireland, how often, by whom, and what counts as evidence your racking is safe.
Under IS EN 15635, pallet racking should be inspected by a technically competent person (an "expert") at intervals not exceeding 12 months, with regular visual inspections in between by a trained in-house Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS). Damage must be recorded, risk-assessed and acted on. This supports the employer's duty to provide safe plant under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
≤12mo Between expert inspections
PRRS Trained person for interim checks
3 Risk levels: green / amber / red
2005 Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act
The Framework
The inspection regime
IS EN 15635 sets out a layered regime rather than a single annual event. Four things run in parallel.
- 01
Expert inspection
By a technically competent inspector at least every 12 months, with a written report.
- 02
Regular internal checks
Visual inspections by a trained PRRS, weekly or monthly according to your risk assessment.
- 03
Immediate reporting
Damage flagged, assessed (green / amber / red) and remedied without delay.
- 04
Records kept
Inspection findings and actions documented as evidence the racking has been checked.
Classifying Damage
The green / amber / red system
Damage found during inspection is classified by severity, which sets how urgently it must be dealt with.
Damage requiring repair, not yet critical.
Action: offload and repair within four weeks; re-inspect once repaired.
Serious damage, risk of collapse.
Action: offload immediately and isolate the racking until repaired or replaced.
Common Question
Does racking need to be "certified"?
There is no annual "certificate" required in law. But the annual expert inspection report is the equivalent evidence, it demonstrates the racking has been checked by a competent person and is safe to use, and it is exactly what auditors and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) expect to see. Keeping the reports on file, and acting on their findings, is how you show the racking has been maintained.
We provide racking inspection, see our Pallet Racking Services for expert inspections and PRRS training.
FAQs
Pallet racking inspection questions
How often must pallet racking be inspected?
Under IS EN 15635, an expert inspection is required at intervals not exceeding 12 months, with regular interim visual inspections by a trained PRRS (weekly or monthly according to your risk assessment).
Does pallet racking need to be certified?
There is no annual certificate required in law, but the annual expert inspection report is the equivalent evidence that your racking has been checked and is safe, and it is what auditors and the HSA expect to see.
Who can inspect pallet racking?
The annual inspection must be carried out by a technically competent person (an expert). Regular interim visual inspections are carried out by a trained in-house Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS), a role Pat O'Brien Safety can train your staff for.
What does the green, amber, red system mean?
It is a risk classification for racking damage. Green means acceptable, continue to use. Amber means damage requiring action, offload and repair within four weeks. Red means serious damage, offload immediately and isolate the racking until repaired.
Pat O Brien Safety Ltd
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