SEMA - Promoting technical excellence
October 10th 2007

SEMA is founded on its technical excellence and has come a long way in a relatively short space of time. SEMA’s codes of practice and storage publications have for many years been the recognised standards of the industry both in the UK and overseas. The Association has continued to build upon its technical excellence in this field at the UK and European level and in particular has been proactive in the development of European Standards in conjunction with the Storage Equipment Product Group of FEM the Fédération Européenne de la Manutention.

Storage Equipment Installers’ Registration Scheme (SEIRS)

Major developments have taken place in recent years including the introduction of SEIRS early in the new Millennium. SEIRS is a safety initiative of SEMA to raise both standards and the level of awareness of safety in the installation sector of the industry. SEMA has worked closely with the HSE in the development of SEIRS which consists of a training programme and a database of registrants who undergo training in accordance with industry codes and best practice. SEIRS safety training is storage industry specific and is based upon SEMA’s installation guidelines and relevant legislation such as that pertaining to working safely at height. In order to qualify for a SEIRS ID Card installers must successfully complete a SEIRS Category A safety training course ranging from basic skills through to supervisor level and site installation level.

Users’ Club

The SEMA Users’ Club has continued to grow since its introduction. Aimed primarily at end users this initiative gives customers a voice within the Association and the industry. Equally important Users’ Club Members are kept up to date with the latest news and activities in the industry via regular communication on standards development, new codes of practice, applicable legislation and much more. This is achieved via newsletters, bulletins and seminars which Users’ Club Members receive both exclusively and in addition to a range of supplementary benefits such as substantial discounts on SEMA publications and access to privileged information on the SEMA website.

Quality Assessment Schedule

For many years now SEMA has operated a Quality Assessment Schedule referred to as QAS 2000. Developed in conjunction with BSI this is a bespoke quality programme building on to ISO 9000, formerly BS 5750. In addition to deigning to the relevant SEMA Code of Practice, all SEMA Members have to conform to QAS 2000. It is a condition of Membership. Apart from assuring customers of quality products, QAS 2000 is currently taking on increased significance. Third party design checks are being utilised as a verification and policing mechanism and take on a pan-European effect in the sense that products designed to harmonised European codes are assured at National level. Developments are currently taking place with both the enhancement of QAS 2000 and its interface with European codes.

European Codes and Activities

SEMA’s membership and influence at the European level, via the Storage Products Group of FEM (Fédération Euorpéene de la Manutention), has served the UK industry well for many years. A number of European codes have been produced, several of which have been built around SEMA Codes.

SEMA Web Site

Simple to navigate, the SEMA web site contains a wealth of information. Visitors can see Association news releases, review SEMA codes and publications, learn about quality and standards, submit a technical query, browse application stories, review SEMA events, plan training courses, click to useful links such as SEIRS, and access a variety of user information. SEMA’s world wide presence is a useful tool for Members, users and the industry alike.

Products and Services

SEMA Members can supply the whole spectrum of storage products and associated services ranging from plastic containers for small parts storage through to fully automated, integrated storage systems. Products include racking, shelving, mezzanine floors, mobile storage equipment, containers and boxes, panels, roll cages and pallets. SEMA’s web site contains a products and services search engine with an overview of each SEMA Member including trade and brand names supplied together with a link to each Member’s own web site.

Rack Safety Awareness Courses

In 2002, SEMA launched its Rack Safety Awareness Courses. Designed principally for end users these courses cover the essential elements of conducting a safety inspection of a racking installation. These courses also show end users what their responsibilities are and how to classify risks when conducting inspections. Racking is classed as work equipment and so comes under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER). End users have a duty therefore to make sure their structure forms part of a safe environment for their employees.

Publications

SEMA’s publications are many and varied. They include codes of practice for the design and use of racking, shelving, mezzanines and other storage products and a series of guidelines covering subjects such as tolerances, surveys and terms and descriptions. SEMA has produced a storage industry guide to the CDM Regulations (currentlybeing updated) and has launched a publication called “Guide to Method Statements for the Installation of Storage Equipment” which is also being reviewed and updated. In addition, SEMA is the National Committee which administers European codes and standards in the UK and is currently working on a number of new documents in conjunction with FEM and CEN. Recent additions to the European publications now available include “Guidelines for Specifiers of Static Steel Racking and Shelving” and “Guidelines for the Safe Use of Static Steel Racking and Shelving”.

Literature

Literature available from SEMA includes a Mission Statement, Approved Inspection information, SEIRS literature and a number of brochures such as newly published Standards brochure featured in this newsletter. These are available free of charge. In addition, SEMA is a full Member of the British Materials Handling Federation and features in the Federation’s annual directory.

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