New Racking Euro Norms

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New Racking Euro Norms

The NEW EUROPEAN NORMS are:
A. IS EN 15512 : replaces FEM 10.2.02 (Implemented 15/5/09).
Adjustable pallet racking Principles for structural design
B. IS EN 15620: replaces FEM 10.3.0 (Implemented 18/12/08).
Installation tolerances, deformations, clearances
C. IS EN 15629 : replaces FEM 10.2.03 (Implemented 16/1/09).
Guidelines for the specification of Racking and Shelving
D. IS EN 15635 : replaces FEM 10.2.04 (Implemented 16/1/09).
Guidelines for the safe use of Racking and Shelving
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New Racking Euro Norms

Summary
These Euro Norm are voluntary documents and are not considered
mandatory.
However, they are a demonstration of Best Practice within the
industry.
Failure to apply the new standards could expose Designers, Specifiers
and Clients to problems.
Projects subject to the Public Procurement Directive 2004/18/EC
states, under Chapter IV Article 23 3(a), that technical specifications
shall be formulated to national standards transposing European
standards.
The new Euro Norms are only applicable for new installations but it is
arguable that they should be specified on all racking projects.
We have consulted with the NSAI and they concur with the above
points and interpretations.
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New Racking Euro Norms

A word from the National Standards

Authority of Ireland
In the event of an incident, failure to apply the new standards
could expose Designers, Specifies and Clients to:
-

possible action from the Health and Safety Authority

possible litigation from injured parties for negligence
possible claims on PL, EL and PI insurance policies
with knock on effects on costs of insurance.
Justin Tallon, NSAI

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New Racking Euro Norms

A word from the Insurers
Failure to use the new standards could result in an
increased risk of being sued for negligence if an old
standard or guideline is used and work is required to rectify
any mistakes.
This could lead to an increase in claims against
consultants and contractors Professional Indemnity
Insurance which in turn could prompt a possible rise in the
cost of insurance, bigger excesses and/or additional
restrictions in their terms and conditions.
Peter Sharp, Aon Ireland

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New Racking Euro Norms

A word from the Legal Profession
Employers have statutory duties to protect health and safety pursuant to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work
Act 2005 (the "2005 Act"). Furthermore, under section 16 of the 2005 Act, designers, manufacturers, importers and
suppliers of articles must ensure that any article, including racking, is designed and constructed so as to be safe
and without risk to health, and in compliance with any relevant statutory provisions of any European directive.
Furthermore, a Designer as defined by Safety, Health & Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulation 2006 is obliged
to design a construction project so as to eliminate or reduce safety risk. These statutory duties are in addition to
the common law duty of care to employees and those using racking and shelving to ensure that injury does not
result from a party's negligence.
European Norms represent best practice. If these European Norms are not used, and a health and safety accident
occurs at work involving racking, it will be extremely difficult to effectively defend any future proceedings, whether
civil or criminal. An employer is required to do all that is "reasonably practicable" to ensure that their employees
health and safety is protected. The standard of reasonably practicable is to defined in the 2005 Act, and is a tough
standard to meet. If new European Norms are not followed, it is evident that all measures that are reasonably
practicable have not been put in place. Thus, if best practice is not followed and injury results, either an
action in negligence, breach of statutory duties or prosecution by the HSA for breach of H & S legislation
could result.
We have been involved in a case where a fatality resulted from unsafe racking practices. It was no defence in the
subsequent criminal proceedings to state that the racking provided was similar to practices used elsewhere, as the
system itself was unsafe. Best practice should always be implemented.
Noeleen McHenry, A&L Goodbody

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