Archive for the ‘warehouse safety’ Category

Warm Weather Tips for Warehouses

Summer is here, and with it comes warmer weather and days out in the glorious sunshine on your days off from work.

However, if you work in a warehouse or factory, days at work are not so enjoyable. When it is hot outside, it can be almost unbearable.

Although there is no legal maximum temperature when it comes to working conditions, it is important that measures are in place to ensure workers do not overheat.

Extreme heat can cause workers to become tired, which can lead to heat exhaustion or even heat stroke. Also, when tired, it is easy to lose focus and make mistakes that can lead to accidents and injuries.

Here are some tips for both employers and workers to help keep warehouse workers cool while working in extreme heat.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

It is always important to stick to guidance set out by employers and wear clothes that are safe and suitable to wear in warehouses.

However, it is also important that they are comfortable. During warmer months, try to wear clothing that will keep you cool.

Look at the materials that your clothes are made from. Clothes made from cotton, linen, or rayon are more breathable and will wipe away perspiration from the skin.

You could even invest in a cooling vest which is specifically designed to lower or stabilise your body temperature.

Stay Hydrated

When you are hot, you sweat more, and the more you sweat, the more fluid you are losing. The more fluid you lose, the more dehydrated you become.

So, it is important that you up your fluid intake on hot days, especially if you work in a physically demanding job.

This does not necessarily mean that you need to drink lots of water. You can also get the fluids you need from fruit, vegetables, and milk.

Avoid consuming alcohol and caffeine. These are both strong diuretics which means they will make you urinate more than usual, thus causing you to lose more fluids.

Learn Your Cooling Points

Your wrists, neck, and the inside of your knees and elbows, and other areas where you can feel your pulse, are known as cooling points.

If you apply something cold to these cooling points, your blood will cool down as your blood vessels are close to the surface of your skin in these areas.

Run them underwater, or put a cold, damp towel on them while at work. Concentrate on the easier to access areas such as your wrists and neck.

Install Fans

Install high volume, low-speed ceiling fans to keep air circulating, even over large areas. If this is not a viable option, provide or permit small, portable fans to help keep workers cool.

Insulate the Ceiling & Walls

Prevent cool air from the night before from escaping during the day by insulating the ceiling and outer walls of the warehouse.

Insulation will help keep the warehouse warm in the winter, as well as cold in the summer, provides added fire protection, and reduces noise levels.

Use Air Conditioners

Rent or purchase portable air conditioners and use them in areas where they are needed most to cool down workers.

They typically cost less to operate and are more efficient than air conditioning that is designed to cool down a whole building.

Renovate Your Warehouse

If heat is a real concern in your warehouse, it may be time to consider a complete renovation or refurbishment of your warehouse.

Get in touch with Logical Storage Solutions’ expert team on 0845 689 1300, or email [email protected], to find out how we can help you to create a warehouse that is not only cooler, with improved airflow, but that is also more productive and maximises space.

Logical Storage Solutions is an innovative provider of storage equipment and interior workspaces for both industrial and commercial environments including office partitions and mezzanine flooring.

Offering a consultative approach and nationwide service for all single and multi-site operations, we are your one-stop provider of all storage, workspace, and maintenance solutions.

How to maximise productivity in a cold storage warehouse

There are many factors to consider when you are looking at maximising productivity and efficiency in cold storage warehouses.

Read the following tips and tricks to find out what you can do to help ensure that your cold storage warehouse is performing to the best of its ability.

Maintain the Temperature

Cold storage warehouses are used primarily for storing food, pharmaceuticals, and other perishable items, so it is imperative that the temperature is maintained to preserve the products in the warehouse and to also minimise running costs.

Monitor the Temperature

Monitor the temperature closely inside the warehouse and note any changes. If there are any significant or persistent changes to the temperature, you should get in touch with your refrigeration contractor to find out whether there are issues with the cooling system.

Keep the Condenser Unit Clean

Allowing for maximum airflow will help to improve efficiency of a cold storage warehouse. Condensers are designed to remove unwanted heat from a cold room, so it is important that the condenser unit is kept free of dust and debris to enable it to do perform effectively.

Check Doors and Their Seals

Refrigerated air can escape if there are any problems with your doors or their seals, which means that the cooling systems will have to work harder to maintain the temperature, thus increasing running costs.

You should replace doors or their seals as soon as you notice any cracks or damage in them to prevent this from happening.

Clean the Evaporator Coils

Evaporator coils use refrigerant to absorb heat and lower the temperature of the air. To make sure that the coils can do their job properly, you should ensure that they are always kept clean to prevent restrictions to the airflow.

Consider the Effect on your Workers

As well as the cold storage warehouse itself, it is important to also consider the effect that working in cold temperatures has on workers and their impact on the productivity of the warehouse.

Working in a cold storage warehouse can make workers cold and uncomfortable, which can result in a reduced morale, work rate, attention span, and accuracy. This can cause workers to become agitated and more prone to errors and incidents.

To help make workers more comfortable, you should invest in high-quality thermal uniforms for them to wear in cold storage warehouses.

Choose the correct storage system

A cold storage warehouse requires an intense amount of power to run therefore it is important to maximise storage space as much as possible. This not only allows you to store more stock in a smaller space, it reduces the amount of energy needed to keep the items the required temperature.

Carry out inspections regularly

Having an inspection schedule will help to ensure that changes and signs of potential issues are identified and dealt with quickly and efficiently, thus preventing damage and unnecessary costs.

It is imperative that your racking and storage solutions are checked on a regular basis. The extreme conditions of a cold storage warehouse means you need storage solutions that are durable and working at their best.

For assistance in preparing and monitoring your cold storage system, or if you think it may be time to upgrade your storage warehouse, call us on 0845 689 1300 to speak to a member of our expert team.

Here at Logical Storage Solution, we have over 10 years of experience in engineering bespoke storage solutions to suit each individual client’s needs.

Top Tips for Food Storage Warehouses

There are thousands of warehouses in the UK which store millions of products. Different warehouses have different rules and regulations, but none are more stringent than those in food storage warehouses.
Although it is important that good hygiene practices are maintained in any warehouse, it is especially important in food storage warehouses.

These warehouses require more than just regular cleaning and maintenance to comply with the additional health and safety standards that come with storing and distributing food. Food storage warehouses must be properly maintained to prevent contamination and foodborne illnesses.

Here are some tips to help ensure the smooth operation and compliance with health and safety standards in food storage warehouses.

Choose the Correct Storage Solution

Having correct and effective storage systems in any warehouse helps to ensure its smooth operation. This is particularly important in food storage warehouses as you need to reduce the risk of spoiling or contaminating food.

Invest in a Good Pallet Racking System

Pallet racking is the best choice for palletised inventory, particularly in a cold room or freezer storage. It is also ideal for maximising capacity in areas where space is limited.
We recommend that you invest in a sealed compartment pallet racking system for a food storage warehouse.

Sealed beams will mean that there is a lack of crevasses for any dust, insects, and food to build up. This makes this type of racking system easy to clean and maintain and reducing the risk of contamination.

Properly Maintain the Storage Systems

You should always practice good hygiene in food storage warehouses, and ensure they are regularly and properly cleaned, sanitised, and maintained.

Having storage systems that are fully galvanised will allow for thorough sanitisation of the systems without causing them to rust or the paint to flake off and contaminate the food stored in the area.

Avoid Storing Food on the Floor

Food stock should never be stored on the ground. This makes it easily accessible to rodents and increases the risk of it becoming damaged and contaminated.

It is important you get a pallet racking system that enables you to store food stock safely above the floor.

Practice Efficient Product Rotation

Most food items typically have a much shorter shelf life, which is why efficient product rotation is so important. This will help to reduce shrinkage caused by stored products going out of date.

First-in, first-out (FIFO) racking systems make it easy to carry out efficient product rotation. Load new stock onto the back of the system with older stock at the front where pallets are unloaded.

This ensures that the oldest pallets are always at the front of the picking line. Therefore, implementing automatic product rotation, and saving you both time and money.

For tailored storage solutions that are fit for purpose, trust Logical Storage Solutions. With over 10 years of experience, we can engineer a bespoke racking solution that meets the requirements of your food storage warehouse.

To find out more about our storage solutions, call 0845 689 1300 to discuss your requirements with a member of our expert team.

How to Prepare Your Warehouse for Winter

Whilst the logistics of running a warehouse is always a challenge, they can become even more complicated during the cold winter months. The darker, shorter days and adverse weather conditions in addition to Winter often being the busiest time of the year for many warehouses can lead to potential risks. Here we discuss how to prepare your warehouse for winter.

Monitor the temperature to protect the stock 

One of the biggest challenges for a warehouse manager is maintaining the temperature. Depending on the size of the warehouse, the temperature can vary significantly. As heat rises, it is not uncommon for the temperature at the top of the warehouse to be very different from the ground temperature. If pallet racking is being used, this must be taken into consideration, as the stock layout will have to be organised in the correct way to avoid any stock being damaged or spoiled. Installing High Volume, Low Speed (HVLS) fans can help regulate the temperature. Ceiling fans can also be beneficial to drive the warmer air down.

Protect your warehouse staff 

The stock is not the only thing you need to protect. Your most important asset is your employees and you need to ensure their safety. Extremely cold weather can lead to members of staff getting ill and even suffering from frostbite or hyperthermia. Therefore, all members of staff need to be provided with a list of essential items. They need to wear heavy nonslip work gloves, insulated coats, thin layers to help ventilation, hats, and waterproof boots. This equipment will not only help them keep warm, they can help avoid any slips due to the adverse weather conditions.

Cold weather can also cause muscles and joints to tighten. Therefore staff need to stretch sufficiently before doing heavy lifting and try and avoid being stationary for long periods of time. Small measures such as stretching can help staff feel better and avoid injuries which will cause downtime and staff to potentially be absent in the future.

Protect your drivers  

It is not only employees that work within the warehouse itself that you must take extra precautions for. All your drivers must be trained and well prepared to deal with the adverse winter conditions. They should all have emergency supplies such as a snow scraper, first aid kit, blankets, food and water, an emergency phone, and a torch in case they get stuck in snow or have another emergency en route.

Protect your pallet racking  

Although pallet racking is sturdy, it is not indestructible and therefore should be repaired and inspected regularly. This is especially important just before Winter. This is often a busy time for warehouses and therefore the racking and storage systems need to be in top condition. If there is heavy snow, you should also be cautious of snow on the pallet racking as surplus weight from snow and ice could cause it to collapse if weight restrictions are exceeded.

Inspect doors and ceilings  

Another job for the Autumn is to thoroughly inspect the doors and ceilings. In the roof, check for leaks, stains, or cracks. For those warehouses with a flat roof, also inspect to see if the water is pooling and if so, ensure it can drain to avoid any roof damage or collapses. When the doors are closed, can you see any light or draft coming through? If you can, try and get these blocked up before the bad weather hits to help keep the warehouse temperature more regular whilst also ensuring no bugs or debris can enter the warehouse through gaps.

Consider installing air curtains or high-speed doors. These can regulate the temperature of the warehouse as they minimise the amount of heat that can escape.

Install skylights  

Strategically placed skylights can really benefit the warehouse. Not only does it provide natural light for employees and ensure you are not solely reliant on lighting fixtures, but they also allow the warmth from the sun to enter the warehouse. This has been shown to lower the energy costs of a warehouse during Winter. So they are perfect all year round, install them with retractable blinds to use during hot summer days.

Service forklifts and other equipment

All equipment such as forklifts should be inspected before the season starts. Any issues should be fixed to keep the equipment in the best shape. Cold temperatures can have an impact on machinery, so it needs to all be in the best condition before the cold weather arrives.

Avoid slips  

Warehouses are hectic places and involve walking in and out of the warehouse regularly. If it is raining or snowing, this can easily lead to wet floors and therefore slip hazards. It is always best to be cautious. Therefore, ensure there are mats at every door, any excess water is immediately mopped up and signs are used effectively to warn members of staff.

Be ready for shorter days  

Winter can be inconvenient to warehouses due to the loss of daylight hours. In some cases, the dark mornings and early evenings can adversely affect the loading times and operations. If this is the case, ensure a new routine and schedule are planned well in advance to avoid any delays or issues.

Winter can be an expensive and hectic time for warehouse managers. We cannot control the weather, yet there is still a lot that we do have control over. However, by taking the time to plan in advance and take the right steps, the risks and challenges can be tackled efficiently and a safer environment can be created. These actions can also significantly reduce the negative impact on your bottom line.

6 Common Warehousing Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to running a warehouse, there are always ways to improve how efficiently they are run. Unfortunately, there are many mistakes that warehouse managers can often make which can negatively impact the efficiency of a warehouse and can lead to a loss of revenue. These mistakes can happen for a variety of reasons, such as time constraints or quickly increasing stock levels because of increased pressure to fulfil orders. Here are some of the most common warehousing mistakes and how they can be avoided.

Using the same racking system for all stock  

Some warehouse managers opt for simplicity and ease and therefore buy the same racking system to make the job easier. Alternatively, they try and save money by buying racking systems second hand. Although this may be a simpler and cheaper option in the short term, they may soon experience issues.

There are several different racking systems for a reason. They are all built with specific purposes in mind and therefore all suit certain items. A warehouse that understands this thoroughly, and invests in racking systems that suit all of their items will reap the benefits in the long term.

It is also important for companies to reassess their racking needs regularly. The racking system should evolve along with their stock and business to remain at maximum capacity.

Neglecting housekeeping tasks  

This is a mistake that companies cannot afford to make as it can severely impact efficiency as well as staff motivation. It is easy to understand how housekeeping tasks can be left to one side during a warehouse’s busiest periods and therefore when staff is low on time. However, ensuring housekeeping is never neglected will provide a much better working environment that can help increase productivity.

For example, a lack of housekeeping can lead to obstructions which impact how well an employee can carry out their job. Disregarding packaging, items dropped on the floor, or products in the wrong locations will all have a negative impact on efficiency. It can even lead to injuries.

Warehouses need to remain organised to provide a better working environment that staff feel safe working in.

Ignoring vertical space 

When planning a warehouse, some people end up missing a brilliant opportunity to use all their available space. Many warehouses are housed in tall buildings which include a large amount of vertical space, some of which are rarely used. When planning a warehouse, using all the vertical space as well as floor space can increase capacity significantly. One great way of achieving this is by installing a mezzanine floor.

By not ignoring vertical space, some businesses can end up saving an expensive relocation. This not only saves money but also precious time.

Holding too much inventory  

One of the most common warehousing mistakes can be the result of the supply chain and can lead to having excess stock on site. Reducing inventory levels can help create a more efficient warehouse. Although bulk purchasing can benefit a business financially, it may be worth talking to suppliers to see if they can order in large quantities but have the deliveries in stages. This will allow you to store the items as and when you need them.

Poor Health and Safety Management  

Warehouses can be extremely dangerous places to work and they, therefore, require constant attention to ensure that all health and safety measures are met. There are many ways staff can end up with severe injuries in a warehouse working environment.

All warehouses should have sufficient signs, designated walking routes, safety crossings, and more to ensure that injuries are avoided where possible. All members of staff should be trained regularly as well, no matter how long they have been working there. Members of staff can develop bad habits over time and can even pass them on to new employees.

Not optimising picking paths  

Warehouses must establish and optimise their picking paths. If there is no system, it can create a hectic environment that lowers your picking rate. This will have extremely negative effects when it comes to the busiest times of the year.

Ensuring all members of staff know the best routes to take means that more orders will be able to be picked and got out of the door.

There is not only one correct way to run a warehouse as there are many varying factors involved. However, by avoiding the mistakes described above, it will place warehouse managers in a good position to make the most of their warehouse and ensure it is running as efficiently as possible.

Even if your warehouse is currently not making these mistakes, it is key that everyone is aware of them. It is easy for these mistakes to occur over time, especially during key, busy and hectic periods.

If you need any advice on which storage solution is best suited to your warehouse, then please get in touch. Logical Storage are ready to discuss your warehouse storage requirements. For more information visit our website or call us on 0845 689 1300.

Ultimate Safety Tips for Your Warehouse