Compliance Guide
PUWER Inspection Checklist for Mobile Shelving
A practical, UK-compliant PUWER checklist your Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS) can use today. Aligned with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, HSE guidance and EN 15635 — written for mobile shelving, roller racking and archive systems.
Why PUWER matters for mobile shelving
Mobile shelving and roller racking are classed as work equipment under PUWER. That means employers have a legal duty to keep them safe, maintained and inspected — and to prove it on paper. HSE improvement notices for mobile shelving usually cite Regulations 5 (maintenance), 6 (inspection) and 9 (training). Each carries unlimited fines on conviction.
Mobile systems fail differently from static pallet racking: floor tracks wear, bearings seize, anti-tip devices get removed during moves, and safety brakes get overridden. A general SEMA racking inspection won't catch all of these — you need a checklist written for mobile shelving specifically. For archive and record-storage environments, see our archive storage solutions.
Weekly visual checks (PRRS)
These are the checks your trained operator or PRRS should complete every week and record.
- Aisles open and close smoothly without excessive force
- Safety brake / aisle lock engages when someone is inside the aisle
- Anti-tip devices present and undamaged on all mobile bases
- Handles, wheels and drive chains free from damage
- No unusual noises, vibration or juddering during operation
- Floor tracks clean, free of debris and undamaged
- Shelves not overloaded — load notices visible and legible
- No loose fixings, corrosion, dents or damaged uprights
Annual competent-person inspection
Under PUWER Regulation 6 an inspection by a competent person is required at intervals determined by risk assessment — for mobile shelving this is a minimum of every 12 months. This is what a SEIRS-registered inspector on our racking inspections service will cover:
- Floor track alignment measured with a straight edge and level
- Bearings and wheels inspected, lubricated or replaced
- Safety brake / aisle-occupied sensor tested with a person in the aisle
- Anti-tip devices tested against manufacturer specification
- Structural inspection of uprights, beams and shelf panels (SEMA red/amber/green)
- Load capacity verified against current stock profile
- Operator training records reviewed and refreshed where needed
- Written PUWER inspection report issued with photos and actions
Red-flag defects — stop use immediately
Do not use the system if any of the following are present:
- • Safety brake / aisle-lock not engaging
- • Anti-tip device missing, bent or bypassed
- • Bases moving unevenly, juddering or derailing
- • Visible cracks in welds, uprights or drive housings
- • Load notices missing after a reconfiguration
Isolate the aisle, tag it out of service, and book a competent-person inspection.
Record keeping
PUWER Regulation 6(4) requires you to keep inspection records at least until the next inspection is recorded. In practice, keep 3 years' worth. Records should include: date, inspector name, equipment identified, defects found, actions taken and re-inspection date. Digital records are acceptable — UM Storage Systems issues signed PDF reports and a live inspection portal for every client.
Related services & products
- Mobile Shelving Systems
Supply, install and PUWER-compliant maintenance of mobile & roller racking.
- SEMA Racking Inspections
SEIRS-registered competent-person inspections with signed PDF reports.
- Racking & Shelving Repairs
Fix red-flag defects fast — parts, welds, anti-tip devices, safety brakes.
- Archive Storage Solutions
Compliant high-density archive & record storage design and installation.
- All Warehouse Services
Full nationwide service catalogue — supply, install, inspect, repair.
- Racking Parts & Accessories
Anti-collapse mesh, load notices, column guards and replacement components.
Further reading
- The complete UK racking inspection guide
- Warehouse racking regulations — HSE, EN 15635 & SEMA
- Racking safety guide for warehouse managers
- Racking repair vs replace — when to do which
Frequently asked questions
What is PUWER and does it apply to mobile shelving?
PUWER — the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 — applies to any equipment used at work, including mobile shelving and roller racking. Employers must ensure it is suitable, maintained, inspected and safely operated. Regulations 5, 6 and 9 (maintenance, inspection and training) are the ones enforced most often against warehouse and archive operators.
How often should mobile shelving be inspected under PUWER?
HSE and manufacturers recommend a documented weekly visual check by a trained operator, a monthly supervisor walk-around, and an annual competent-person inspection. Anti-tip devices, safety brakes and floor tracks should be tested every 12 months minimum — sooner if usage is heavy or the environment is harsh.
Who is a 'competent person' for a PUWER inspection?
Someone with the training, experience and independence to identify defects and assess risk. For mobile shelving this typically means a SEIRS-registered racking inspector or the original manufacturer's engineer. UM Storage Systems is SEIRS registered and IPAF/CSCS certified.
What are the most common PUWER failures on mobile shelving?
Worn or dry floor tracks, seized bearings, missing anti-tip devices, disabled safety brakes, damaged handles/wheels, corroded fixings, overloaded shelves and missing load notices. Untrained operators using the system is also a common Regulation 9 breach.
Do I need written records of PUWER inspections?
Yes. Under Regulation 6, inspection records must be kept until the next inspection is recorded. HSE inspectors routinely ask for these during audits — missing records are treated as evidence the inspection did not happen.
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