How to Keep Your Warehouse Safe and Healthy

Apr 10, 2020

Slowing down warehouse productivity is a problem at any time, but that’s especially true as the world faces the coronavirus pandemic. It’s time to take a closer look at how to optimize processes in every corner of your facility to make it a workplace that prioritizes health and safety. 

Receiving

While experts still aren’t fully certain if COVID-19 can spread through packaging, there is data that suggests it could remain on cardboard for up to a day, and plastic and stainless steel for 2-3 days. Although the CDC states that the virus isn’t most commonly transmitted by touching surfaces, they continue to say that frequent handwashing and physical distancing are necessary. 

There are steps you can take to ensure that your business continues uninterrupted and that your workplace remains as safe as possible during this time.  Implementing glove policies and helping provide employees with an ample supply of disposable gloves and hygiene products such as hand sanitizer and soap can go a long way in preventing the spread of the virus. Additionally, encourage distancing and the importance of not touching your face.

Equipment

Every piece of equipment used in the facility should be considered a potential point of transmission. Forklifts, jacks, handheld scanners, even clipboards — think about everything in your warehouse that’s being touched on a consistent, daily basis.

To mitigate this risk, make surface disinfecting a part of daily tasks. Acceptable solutions include household bleach, disinfecting solutions that contain at least 70% alcohol, and products like Lysol and Clorox.

Picking

A great deal of your labor is dedicated to the picking process, where staff members are likely close together for long shifts. While it’s not always easy to stay 6 feet apart on the job, remember that the virus is spread from person to person when an infected individual coughs or sneezes.

This is an area of your warehouse that needs plenty of hygiene products and even additional training to set expectations about physical distancing. Create a routine that includes frequent handwashing, sanitizing, and disinfecting of equipment before and after use. 

Returns and Packing

Packing needs to carry the highest standard of cleanliness as containers are cleaned and prepared for packing. The rules of receiving apply here — disposable gloves, hand hygiene products, and building a culture of health and safety will create a layer of protection for your team.

Returns coming back into your facility have been touched by many hands along the way. Gloves and handwashing are necessary here, and you can even take the additional precaution of disinfecting items before sending them back to packing.

Scheduling

Minimizing exposure means reducing the number of team members inside at any one time. Think about splitting shifts so that fewer staff members are working at the same time. While this may mean that the shifts are more labor-intensive or output may decrease, it is a necessary way to maintain payroll and productivity while staying safe.

This is also a time to create and implement an ironclad sick leave policy. Encourage those who aren’t feeling well or caring for others who have the virus to stay home without worrying about their job. 

Communication

It seems like the pandemic creates a new set of headlines (and challenges) every day. As warehouse policies and procedures shift to meet those challenges, your entire team needs to be kept in the loop. You also need to keep clients and vendors aware of any delays or disruptions your warehouse may be facing.

Additionally, should one of your employees test positive for coronavirus, transparency is necessary in order to avoid further impact from its spread in your facility. Whether you depend on e-mail newsletters, website updates, or even paper memos, make sure you’re communicating regularly and frequently with your team about conditions, best practices, and the importance of working together to keep everyone healthy and safe.

Clean, Clean, Clean

If you’re not already outsourcing the cleaning of your warehouse facility, you’ll want to start ASAP. Commercial cleaning teams are much more prepared for and protected against coronavirus and have the expertise to know the best solutions for cleaning your workplace.

In between visits from these commercial cleaning teams, make sure your staff has the necessary cleaning supplies and tools to keep everyone protected. Once again, don’t underestimate the importance of disinfection, social distancing, and improved hand hygiene. 

If you are looking for a way to combat the coronavirus in your business or warehouse, look no further. Multi-Clean’s Viral Disinfection Kit is fully capable of inactivating COVID-19 and other viral pathogens from hard surfaces, allowing you to continue your work. Learn what each kit contains and how the products work on hard surfaces. Do you still have questions about the health and safety of your warehouse during this crisis? Reach out to our team of pros who are eagerly waiting to assist you during this time.

Common Hazards in Your Warehouse (And How to Avoid Them)

08 Apr, 2024
Warehouses are the backbone of many industries, storing and distributing goods to keep the economy moving. However, behind the scenes of this logistical hub lurk various hazards that can pose severe risks to employees and property. Let's investigate some of the most common warehouse hazards and explore proactive mitigation strategies. Slips/Trips/Falls Slips, trips, and falls are among the most prevalent hazards in warehouse spaces. Spills, cluttered aisles, and uneven surfaces can easily lead to accidents if not adequately addressed. To prevent such incidents, warehouses should prioritize proper housekeeping, including regular cleaning and maintenance of floors. Additionally, using signage to highlight potential hazards and ensuring adequate lighting throughout the facility can significantly reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Fires Flammable materials and electrical equipment in warehouses make them susceptible to fires. Faulty wiring, improper storage of combustible materials, and lack of fire suppression systems can all contribute to the risk of fire outbreaks. Implementing preventive measures such as regular equipment maintenance, proper storage protocols for flammable materials, and employee training on fire safety procedures are crucial in mitigating this hazard. Harmful Substances Warehouses often house various chemicals and hazardous substances, which can pose risks to employees' health if not handled properly. Exposure to harmful substances can lead to respiratory issues, skin irritation, and other serious health problems. To mitigate this hazard, warehouses should properly store and label hazardous materials, provide employees with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), ensure adequate ventilation systems, and conduct regular training on safe handling procedures. Falling Objects With shelves stacked high with merchandise, falling objects present a significant hazard in warehouses. Poorly secured storage systems, improper stacking of items, and inadequate safety measures can all increase the risk of objects falling and causing injury. Warehouses can minimize this risk by adequately securing shelves and storage systems, using barriers or guardrails to prevent objects from falling, and conducting regular inspections of overhead storage areas. Overexertion The physical demands of warehouse work can lead to overexertion injuries if employees lack adequate training or don't perform tasks ergonomically. Lifting heavy objects, repetitive motions, and working in awkward positions can all contribute to overexertion injuries such as strains and sprains. To prevent such injuries, warehouses should provide comprehensive training on proper lifting techniques, encourage the use of mechanical aids such as forklifts and pallet jacks, and implement ergonomic workstations to reduce strain on employees' bodies.

Common Inventory Management Mistakes

08 Mar, 2024
Effective inventory management practices influence the success of each warehouse, the supply chain, and the business at large. Inventory management involves many moving parts and elements – everything from the product catalog to the warehouse space to tracked KPIs. Experienced warehouse managers know that no matter how fool-proof your inventory management systems are, there’s always room to improve and prepare for unexpected circumstances. Let’s discuss common inventory management mistakes (and what to do instead). Overstocking or Understocking One of the most prevalent inventory management mistakes is maintaining too much or too little inventory. Overstocking ties up valuable capital and warehouse space, leading to increased carrying costs and a higher risk of obsolescence. On the other hand, understocking can result in stockouts, backorders, and dissatisfied customers. Businesses should leverage historical sales data, market trends, and advanced forecasting techniques to accurately predict demand and optimize inventory levels. Inaccurate Demand Forecasting Businesses are prone to making costly inventory planning errors without precise demand forecasting. Relying on outdated data or flawed forecasting methods can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. By utilizing advanced analytics and predictive modeling, businesses can better anticipate shifts in demand, seasonal fluctuations, and emerging trends, allowing for more informed inventory decisions and improved responsiveness to customer needs. Lack of Inventory Visibility Poor visibility into inventory levels across multiple locations or channels can result in operational inefficiencies and errors. Without real-time data on stock levels and movement, businesses may struggle to fulfill orders on time, leading to customer dissatisfaction and lost sales. Implementing integrated inventory management systems that provide comprehensive visibility into inventory across the supply chain can help businesses optimize inventory allocation, reduce stockouts, and improve overall operational performance.

A Beginner’s Guide to Electric Forklifts

By Denis Benden • 08 Feb, 2024
Efficient material handling is crucial for businesses of all sizes and industries. It directly impacts productivity, cost-effectiveness, and overall operational success. Effective material handling ensures that goods are moved, stored, and transported in a streamlined and organized manner, minimizing delays, damages, and errors. Electric forklifts play a significant role in effective material handling, transforming the […] The post A Beginner’s Guide to Electric Forklifts appeared first on Benco Industrial Equipment.
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