Who is a Competent Person for Racking Inspections? AS 4084-2023 Explained

Handing a manager a clipboard and a torch doesn’t automatically make them a racking inspector. While that image is common in many Melbourne warehouses, the release of Australian Standard AS 4084-2023 has drawn a much clearer line on what true competency means for ensuring the structural safety of your pallet racking.

The standard establishes a practical, two-tiered system for inspections. The answer to who is a competent person for racking inspections depends entirely on the type of inspection being performed. For frequent, informal visual checks, a trained and knowledgeable internal staff member is often sufficient. However, for the mandatory formal audit required at least every 12 months, the criteria demand a higher level of structural expertise—typically found in an independent, external professional.

This guide explains the distinction, clarifies the responsibilities for your internal team, and details why a structural expert is non-negotiable for your annual compliance audit.

Table of Contents

• Defining the ‘Competent Person’ Under AS 4084-2023

• Assessing Your Team’s Competency for Internal Checks

• Why Structural Expertise is Essential for Formal Audits

Defining the ‘Competent Person’ Under AS 4084-2023

AS 4084-2023 defines a ‘competent person’ as: "A person who has acquired through training, qualification or experience the knowledge and skills to perform the task."

While this definition seems broad, its application is specific. The 2023 update reinforces that the "task" dictates the required level of competency. This critical distinction moves warehouse safety beyond a simple checklist and towards a risk-based approach, recognising that a daily visual check and an annual structural audit are fundamentally different tasks requiring different skill sets.

Informal vs. Formal Inspections: A Clear Distinction

Understanding your obligations begins with separating the two types of inspections mandated by the standard.

• Informal Inspections: These are frequent visual reviews (daily or weekly) conducted by internal staff. The goal is to spot obvious operational damage, such as bent braces from a forklift impact, missing floor fixings, or overloaded beams. The person performing this task must be trained to identify common hazards specific to your racking system.

• Formal Inspections: This is a comprehensive structural audit that must be performed at least once every 12 months. It goes far beyond spotting visible damage and requires a deep understanding of racking engineering, load tolerances, and AS 4084-2023 compliance. This level of assessment is designed to identify underlying risks that are not obvious from a simple walkthrough.

Assessing Your Team’s Competency for Internal Checks

Empowering your internal team to handle informal inspections is a crucial part of maintaining a safe warehouse. A staff member is generally considered competent for these routine checks if they possess:

• A thorough understanding of the specific brand and type of pallet racking installed in your facility.

• The ability to correctly interpret Safe Working Load (SWL) signs.

• Training to identify common damage types, such as deflected beams, damaged uprights, and missing or incorrect safety pins.

• Clear knowledge of the internal procedure for reporting and isolating damaged areas.

When Internal Expertise Reaches Its Limit

The "20 years in a warehouse" argument is common, but operational experience does not automatically equate to the structural engineering knowledge required for a formal audit. Internal competency is not enough when the task involves:

• Identifying "Hidden" Issues: A professional inspector uses specialised tools and knowledge to check for things like frame plumbness, beam deflection tolerances, and floor slab integrity—issues invisible to the untrained eye.

• Assessing Structural Integrity: Determining if a damaged component can be repaired or must be replaced requires an engineering assessment, not a visual guess.

• Ensuring Legal Compliance: In the event of an incident, a WorkSafe Victoria inspector will scrutinise your compliance records. A self-certified inspection performed by an underqualified person carries significant legal and financial risk for the business and its directors under OHS laws. Relying on an independent, expert report demonstrates due diligence.

Why Structural Expertise is Essential for Formal Audits

A professional racking inspector brings a level of technical rigour that internal teams cannot replicate. Their assessment is based on the precise engineering principles outlined in AS 4084-2023, not just visual observation. This expertise is critical for identifying non-obvious but serious risks, such as improperly matched beam connector clips, hairline cracks in welds, or baseplates that are incorrectly fixed for the slab type.

Engaging an expert for your formal OHS racking inspections provides a clear, actionable report that protects your business. This documentation is your proof of compliance and serves as a vital tool for mitigating liability. For Melbourne businesses, having an expert partner is also invaluable for navigating and resolving WorkSafe Victoria Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs) quickly and correctly.

The A1 Precision Approach to Racking Safety

At A1 Precision, we provide more than just a compliance certificate. Our formal inspections are comprehensive structural assessments designed to ensure your storage systems are not only compliant but also safe and efficient for the long term.

Unlike some suppliers who may use an inspection as a sales tool to push for costly full replacements, our approach is assessment-first. We identify specific, localised faults and provide a clear report with prioritised recommendations. Our goal is to achieve safety and compliance through targeted, cost-effective solutions.

Our turnkey service means we manage the entire process. We conduct the audit, deliver a detailed report, and have the in-house expertise to carry out any necessary professional pallet racking repairs to Australian Standards. We ensure your system—whether Australian-made or imported—is fully compliant with AS 4084-2023, giving you verified peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

The cost varies based on the size and complexity of your facility. Key factors include the total number of pallet positions, the height of the racking, and the number of different racking systems in use. A small warehouse might cost a few hundred dollars, while a large distribution centre could be several thousand. It’s best to request a quote based on your specific layout.

An audit for a small facility with under 50 bays can often be completed in 2-4 hours. A large-scale warehouse or distribution centre may require a full day or even multiple days to ensure every component is thoroughly assessed. The inspector should be able to provide a time estimate with their quote.

The inspector will conduct a systematic walkthrough of your warehouse. They will visually inspect all accessible racking components (uprights, beams, bracing, connectors, floor fixings) for damage, corrosion, or incorrect installation. They will also use tools to measure frame plumbness and beam deflection, verify that Safe Working Load signs are present and accurate, and check for compliance with the latest AS 4084-2023 standards.