Can a Warehouse Manager Be the PRRS? What You Need to Know

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Warehouse racking needs regular attention to help keep storage areas safe and well managed. One important role in a warehouse racking safety system is the Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS).

But who should take on this role? Can a warehouse manager be the PRRS?

Yes, a warehouse manager can take on the PRRS role if they have the appropriate knowledge, training, authority and time to carry out the responsibilities involved. The job title itself does not automatically make someone suitable for the role.

What Is a PRRS?

PRRS stands for Person Responsible for Racking Safety.

The PRRS helps coordinate the safe use and management of racking within a warehouse. This can include monitoring reported damage, maintaining relevant records, making sure concerns are addressed and arranging appropriate inspections or further assessment when required.

The PRRS is therefore an important part of an organisation's approach to racking safety.

Can a Warehouse Manager Be the PRRS?

A warehouse manager may be well placed to take on the role because they are often involved in the day-to-day operation of the warehouse.

They may already understand:

  • How the warehouse operates

  • How racking is used

  • Where forklift traffic takes place

  • How employees interact with storage equipment

  • How damage and maintenance issues are reported

  • Who is responsible for taking corrective action

However, these responsibilities alone do not automatically make someone competent to carry out every type of racking inspection.

The person appointed should have suitable knowledge and training for the responsibilities they are expected to undertake.

What Responsibilities Could a Warehouse Manager Have?

Depending on the organisation's arrangements, a warehouse manager acting as the PRRS may help to:

  • Monitor the condition of pallet racking

  • Make sure reported damage is recorded

  • Ensure damaged areas are appropriately controlled

  • Coordinate suitable inspections

  • Keep relevant inspection and damage records

  • Help employees understand racking safety procedures

  • Follow up on recommended corrective actions

  • Arrange repairs or further professional assessment where necessary

The exact responsibilities should be clearly defined by the business.

Does a PRRS Need Specific Training?

Training can help a PRRS understand their responsibilities and recognise common racking safety issues.

A suitable training course can cover areas such as racking components, common damage, inspection processes, reporting procedures and appropriate responses to identified problems.

However, PRRS training should not automatically be treated as proof that someone is competent to carry out every type of specialist racking inspection. The competence required depends on the work being undertaken.

Where a more detailed inspection or specialist assessment is required, the business should use an appropriately competent person.

What If the Warehouse Manager Does Not Have Enough Time?

The PRRS role should not simply be added to someone's job title without considering whether they have enough time, authority and support to carry it out effectively.

A warehouse manager may have many competing responsibilities. If racking safety is not given sufficient attention, damage or other concerns could go unnoticed or remain unresolved.

The business should therefore make sure the PRRS understands their responsibilities and has the resources and authority needed to manage them.

What Does HSG76 Say About the PRRS?

The HSE's HSG76 Warehousing and storage: A guide to health and safety recommends a PRRS-led approach to managing pallet racking safety.

However, the role should not be presented as a universal statutory requirement for every warehouse. Businesses should consider their own risks, equipment, working arrangements and applicable legal duties when deciding how racking safety is managed.

Final Thoughts

A warehouse manager can be a suitable choice for the PRRS role when they have the appropriate knowledge, training, authority and time to carry out the responsibilities.

The key point is that being a warehouse manager does not automatically make someone a PRRS, and being a PRRS does not automatically make someone competent to carry out every type of racking inspection.

A clear racking safety process, suitable training, effective reporting and appropriate inspection arrangements can help businesses manage warehouse racking safely and respond to damage before it becomes a more serious concern.

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