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SEMA Member Summary

NSI Projects Telephone 0800 027 1966 Email simon.k@nsiprojects.co.uk

Raising the bar

What is SEIRS?

SEIRS stands for The Storage Equipment Installers Registration Scheme. Established in 2000 in response to industry concerns on safety at the point of installation, SEIRS is a landmark initiative successfully launched and operated only by SEMA. Since its inception, it has trained over 6000 installers. Currently, it delivers seven RoSPA-approved courses and has gained strong support which benefits SEMA manufacturers, distributors, approved installation companies as well as end users. Significantly, the SEIRS training programme has been formally recognised by the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) as part of their Partner Card Scheme as it meet sthe CLC requirements.

SEIRS is recognised as a best practice example of the industry regulating itself to meet HSE standards. It is a requirement that all permanent and sub-contract installers engaged by SEMA Approved Installation Companies and SEMA Distributor Companies are SEIRS registered and have in-date SEIRS ID Cards

NatIonal Register of Installers

SEIRS training is unique in that it is the only national programme for installers which addresses the Health and Safety needs of the industry to constitute a storage industry ‘safety passport’. Individual installers can become SEIRS qualified by successfully completing an appropriate SEIRS Health and Safety course and they are required to take a refresher course every three years.

“Through SEIRS, we have seen a vast improvement in the on-site safety awareness of our installers. SEIRS has honed the safety skills of team members and encouraged them to adopt a responsible and pro-active approach towards Health and Safety.”

Nick Betteley, Managing Director, SEMA mezzanine manufacturer.

Industry lead to HSE

Prior to the year 2000, SEIRS first entered into discussions with the Health and Safety Executive by adopting a proactive approach to safety leadership. The HSE cites causes of fatality or serious injury include failure to recognise a problem, failure to ensure that safe systems of work are followed, failure to provide safe systems of work, inadequate information, lack of training or instruction, poor supervision, failure to use appropriate equipment and failure to provide safe plant/equipment.

SEMA’s President, Jaap Vos who is managing director to a SEMA manufacturing member said: “SEIRS instruction delivers industry-specific training and has been developed by experts who know the storage industry, its potential hazards and how to implement safe systems of work. SEIRS training is based around the SEMA Codes of Practice and guidelines which address Health and Safety issues from design through to installation and use. The storage industry now enjoys a good Health and Safety track record to date. Our aim with SEIRS is to both maintain and surpass this record.”

SEMA Guide to Method Statements

The SEMA Guide to Method Statements for the Installation of Storage Equipment is integral to the SEIRS programme. This guideline sets out generic method statements for the installation of racking and shelving products. Manufacturers and installers can use the guidelines as a basis to prepare detailed method statements tailored to the specific needs of the particular contract or project.

Installation method statements set out the safe way to assemble the storage equipment. Installers must adhere to this safe way of working and as a process which facilitates an integral part of the SEIRS training courses. From erecting a structure through to working safely at height, from utilisation of appropriate site plant to supervising and managing teams, the SEIRS courses build into a complete safety training programme based on the SEMA installation guidelines and SEMA Codes of Practice.

The installation guideline is available from SEMA on CD Rom or as a bound hard copy. Visit www.sema.org.uk

SEIRS ID Card Holders

An installer is issued with a SEIRS ID card upon satisfactorily completing a SEIRS Installation safety course. These courses include SEIRS Skills, Advanced, Supervisor, Mezzanines, Installation Management, Shelving and Refresher programmes which successfully build a solid foundation of storage industry specific Health and Safety training. A full SEIRS ID card is normally valid for three years.

CSCS Cards

As the established safety training programme for installers of storage equipment in the UK, SEIRS is the recognised route to a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card as it meets the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) requirements. The CSCS can verify the applicant has obtained the correct qualifications and training to work on construction sites. Where a particular contract or project falls under one of these sites, installers will require a CSCS card.

A CSCS card is a special type of SEIRS card. To obtain a SEIRS-CSCS card, an installer of storage equipment needs no further qualifications, provided they already possess the minimum SEIRS requirement and have achieved a pass in the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test.

Gordon Jenkins, Director of Operations for CSCS said; “CSCS supports all sectors of the construction industry that encourage people to undertake training and develop their knowledge and skills, and fully supports the SEIRS initiative offered by SEMA. In the interests of raising standards, improved productivity and site safety, it is pleasing that the SEIRS training programme is recognised by the CSCS as part of our Partner Card Scheme.”

Chris Humphreys, Chairman of SEIRS said; “SEMA places Health and Safety at the heart of its agenda. The SEIRS scheme stands out because installers are obliged to keep up to date. That’s why we insist that all CSCS card holders installing storage equipment have current SEIRS qualifications.

“Schemes such as SEIRS, where the continual acquisition of new knowledge and best practice by experienced personnel is mandatory, surely offers the most accountable method of maintaining a mature, safety conscious workforce.”

Over two decades, the SEIRS scheme has delivered to industry a national register of installers with the unique requirement for refresher training across a range of skill levels. SEIRS trained installers meet CLC requirements and can apply for a SEIRS-CSCS card.

“As an end user of storage equipment until recently, it is both encouraging and reassuring to know that SEMA has taken significant steps with the SEIRS initiative to promote safe working practice during the installation process.”

Neil Sheehan, ALFA Consultancy formerly Senior Manager (Construction and Maintenance) Safety Health and Environment, ASDA

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