SEMA Insights
The newsletter for SEMA Members
Issue 4 | March 2024
President's Welcome
Welcome everyone to our first SEMA Members Newsletter of the year.
It’s going to be a busy 2024 for SEMA with lots of changes that I know will really benefit our members. Let’s make this newsletter all about last year with a quick update from the interesting presentations given at our SEMA Conference back in November.
Head to the bottom and we also have lots of tips on how to raise the profile of your company and get some free publicity through SEMA. We could do with the help from our members. If you have any photos that we can use, please send them over to becky@aurapr.co.uk. We could do we a selection of photos that show everything including pallet racking, industrial shelving, racking inspections, installations in progress etc. All we ask, is you make sure that each image meets SEMA and H&S requirements and that we have permission to use them.
Any images we use, we’ll make sure your company is credited!
New Members
Welcome to the following companies who have joined SEMA.
Coming Soon!
Keep an eye on the SEMA website, it’s getting a facelift!!!
To improve the service, we provide our customers, we will be planning a few tweaks to the SEMA website. Later in the year we will launch the updated website which will improve the flow across the site and provide lots more useful information and guidance.
Remember!
If any of our SEMA members need the latest version of a publication, check out the website. You can find SEMA guidelines, Codes of Practice and European publications by going to the Publications page on our website.
You can also find copies of all our technical bulletins on the Technical Support page.
Storage Equipment Installers Registration Scheme
Over two years ago we updated our SEIRS training programme. The course has gone down really well with lots of positive feedback from delegates on how informative it is – even installers who have been installing for 20 years plus, have commented on how the course completely relates to their role on site!!
Since we launched the course, we have reached the significant milestone of over 350 installers qualified to Diploma level. Yet, despite our successes, there are still questions and misinformation about SEIRS. As our members, we could do with your help to shout out the benefits of SEIRS for our industry. To help you, we have produced our guide to the most common questions you might get asked.
Why did you change SEIRS?
For over 25 years, SEIRS has been a national training initiative for installers of racking equipment. Under the old programme, anyone holding a SEIRS qualification confirmed they had attended, what was essentially, a one-day Health & Safety classroom course which didn’t develop their practical skills.
As our industry evolved, experts within SEMA felt the course wasn’t meeting requirements and asked us to design a new course that increased the knowledge level and skills installers need to complete their job safely.
How has SEIRS changed?
The new SEIRS course has been split into two parts. Part 1 is the one-day SEIRS Foundation course and Part 2 is the two-day SEIRS Diploma Course. In a big change, the course now covers a practical element on erecting and dismantling racking. A full SEIRS card will only be awarded once the delegates have passed the practical assessment.
1) What does the Foundation Course cover?
This course is for anyone new to racking installations. Mostly classroom-based, the course covers theoretical along with health and safety knowledge. At the end, installers are awarded a Trainee card valid for 6 months. During this time, installers have the opportunity to build on their knowledge, hopefully with experienced SEIRS installers.
2) What does the Diploma Course cover?
Before the 6 months are up, trainees need to complete their training by attending the Diploma course. Prior to the course they need to hold a MEWPS certificate 3A/3B .
This part of the course covers theoretical as well as practical teaching elements utilising the racking without our training warehouse.. The second day is the assessed part of the course and includes the assembly of frames from kit form and a mechanical build and dismantle.
Do I need a CSCS card for installing racking and how do I get one?
Site managers are increasingly expecting workers to hold a CSCS card on site. CSCS identifies racking installations as a specialised skill which requires a specific type of card. You can only get on site to install racking by holding one of our SEIRS CSCS cards. To get the card, installers must pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test, in addition to a MEWPS certification, and then apply for their SEIRS CSCS card through the Foundation and Diploma courses.
Is this a money-making scheme for SEMA?
This is probably the question we are asked most!
The course does cost more but this takes into consideration that we have extended the training from 1 to 3 days. This allows us the time we need to ensure qualified SEIRS installers meet a high level of both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. To provide added value we have now extended the card validity to 5 years.
Members Conference
In November, we held our annual SEMA Members Annual Conference. It was great to see so many of our members there on what was a fun-packed day with lots of interesting presentations and discussions. Here’s our roundup:
Technical Committee
Alan Worrell ran through European publications and updates and SEMA guidelines.
Publication updates include:
APR Users Code
Revision not yet started
Cantilever Users Code
New publication due for completion soon
High-rise Shelving Code
Revision not yet started
Low-rise Shelving Code
Revision in progress
Mesh Decks
New publication due for completion soon
Mobile Shelving
Currently being revised
Course updates include:
Cantilever RSA
Due for revision
Cantilever SARI
Due for revision
SARI APR Refresher
New
Membership Audit Process
Martyn Heath looked at the new Membership Assessment Standard (MAS).
Why have we changed it?
It was felt the old QAS system did not credit applicants holding other certifications such as ISO9001/14001, 45001, CHAS etc.
What are the key changes?
The new MAS has a wider scope with more sections, although members who hold other certification won’t need to answer all the questions and instead submit copies of current and valid certifications.
What are the MAS sections?
⬢ Section 1: SEMA Specific - Mandatory.
⬢ Section 2: Legal and insurance - mandatory EMA Specific - Mandatory.
⬢ Section 3: Health & Safety - no need to complete if ISO 45001 (proof of certification required).
⬢ Section 4: Environmental - no need to complete if ISO 14001 (proof of certification required).
⬢ Section 5: Quality - no need to complete if ISO 9001 (proof of certification required).
Changes to membership
Matt Grierson explained how the existing SEMA membership categories have been in place for some years and how, after a review, it was felt the groups needed an update that would make the structure clearer to customers. We shall explain all about the new membership categories in detail in our next newsletter.
SEIRS
Chris Humphreys updated us SEIRS. By November 2023 SEMA had 368 delegates attend SEIRS - see figures to the right. In March 2023 we also ran a survey to ask members how many SEIRS installers were active on site on a specific date. The results showed:
⬢ 10 Full Members reported 368 installers on site with 47% SEIRS qualified.
⬢ 27 of the SDC‘s reported a total of 104 installers on site with 59% SEIRS qualified.
This gave a total of 472 installers on site with 52% SEIRS qualified.
While there is still room for improvement, we know our keen and committed members will work with us to help increase the number of SEIRS installers within our industry.
SEMA Marketing and PR
Rebecca Green updated SEMA on marketing and PR activity which included coverage across industry media titles and production of the 3 new brochures. She also ran through some last year’s successes.
SEMA Members Newsletter
SEMA Website
SEMA LinkedIn
SARI
Chris Cook ran through all things SARI. There are currently 155 SARIs active across the world. All SARIs completed their CPD requirements for the 2022-2023 membership and submitted forms within the required deadline.
The new rules in the SARI constitution came into force from 1st July 2023 which has seen the addition of Rule 13 regarding bringing SEMA into disrepute. Expansion and clarification of the categories and breakdown, particularly concerning category 5 – imparting knowledge, can be found in the SARI constitution.
The SARI forum is live and functions as a discussion forum and a way to share information.
SEIRS and CSCS
Alan O’Neill from CSCS talked about how there are currently over 2 million CSCS cards in circulation. However, the industry is facing a problem from too many Labourer cards used for accessing sites.
✘ This is a problem because the card is easy to obtain (you only need to attend a one-day HS&E course) which has led to workers and some employees taking shortcuts. Combined with poor card-checking practices and it has meant unqualified workers are on site causing a decline in standards and safety.
✔ To tackle the problem, CSCS is supporting trained workforces where employers don’t accept Labourer cards for skilled occupations such as racking installations.
Media Roundup
Health & Safety Matters Oct-Nov 2023 / Warehouse & Logistics News Sep 2023
We look at why warehouse owners need to join the safety dots throughout the life time of their racking.
Warehouse & Logistics News - The Annual 2024
We look at why you need to take 360 degree approach to racking safety.
Warehouse & Logistics News - Warehouse Supplement Nov 2023
We look at how SEMA Members can help warehouse owners make the most of their space.
IPE Maintenance Guide 2023
We ask warehouse owners if they know their responsibilities in maintaining racking safety.
Timber Trades Journal Aug-Sep 2023
We discuss how to keep employees safe in areas with racking.
Get Your Company Noticed!
Remember, if you’re a SEMA member, SEIRS installer or a SARI, why not tell everyone that the work of SEMA and its initiatives are referenced in the HSE HSG76 Warehouse and Storage: A Guide to Health and Safety.
This best practice document offers great advice that any warehouse owner should follow to keep everyone safe while in their workplace and working in areas with racking.
To let your customers know you’re working to the highest standards, it might be worth referencing on your website and promotional material.
But, make sure you NEVER say that HSE recommends using SEMA – they won’t like it!!!
Do you use LinkedIn? Do you ever talk about the work of SEMA? Why not tag us in and we’ll repost your message! Just remember, to make sure you get your content reposted, follow our simple rules:
1) Tag us in by using the handle @SEMAUK .
2) Make sure the photos are of your own work and are not stock photos SEMAUK.
3) Do the photographs meet HSE standards and SEMA recommendations? For example, is PPE being worn where required, do drive-through bays have fall protection measures in place etc.
4) We won’t share posts which that use products manufactured by a non-SEMA member.
5) Do the products relate to the content in the post e.g. if you’re talking about VNA racking, make sure the photo doesn’t sure wide-aisle racking!
6) Use the logo correctly - you can find guidance on how and when to use the SEMA logos here.
7) Use the correct SEMA terminology e.g. it is never a SARI inspection, it is always an inspection by a SARI.
We recently sent out a request for you all to complete your Members Profile form.
Have you done it yet? If not follow this link, fill in the form (it won’t take long) and return to becky@aurapr.co.uk. We’ll then create a series of posts which we’ll send out through the SEMA LinkedIn account.
Why bother?
⬢ It's free publicity.
⬢ It helps you stand out in the industry by confirming to everyone that you are a SEMA member and working to the highest quality and safety standards.
⬢ It's the perfect opportunity to promote your company to a new audience - the SEMA followers.
