It’s clear that worker injuries and warehouse accidents reduce warehouse efficiency. An injured picker and packer can’t come to work, and a collapsed shelving rack impedes normal warehouse productivity. But the reverse is also true. A well-managed and efficient warehouse improves safety. While safety must always be a primary concern, it almost never conflicts with warehouse management that produces smooth and efficient operations.
Good Warehouse Lighting
A well-lit warehouse is essential for quickly locating inventory and accurately fulfilling customer orders. It also reduces accidents between forklifts and workers.
Lack of Floor Clutter
Floor clutter blocks or slows down the movement of inventory, whether manually carried by pickers or transported by forklifts. Clutter is also a trip and fall hazard for people on foot and can cause forklift accidents.
Well Maintained Floor Infrastructure
Poorly maintained warehouse floors full of crack damage slow down forklift traffic. Forklifts must either take roundabout routes through the warehouse or move at a crawl. This slows down operations. From a safety perspective, damaged floors are a trip hazard for workers and may cause vibration that can shift forklift loads.
Well Organised Inventory
Inventory arranged to minimise effort saves time and increases productivity. Items with high turnover are placed in locations that minimise walking. Less walking means less potential for accidents. High turnover items are also placed on shelving at waist level. This both increases picking speed and reduces back injuries and falls.
A Warehouse Management System
A good warehouse management system makes your warehouse run efficiently and smoothly. The relationship between efficiency and warehouse productivity is obvious. The relationship between a smooth operation and safety is less so. Workers forced to rush or work excessive hours because the warehouse can’t keep pace, are more prone to accident.
A warehouse management system allows for working smarter rather than harder. This means customer fulfilment is readily met without strain, even during periods of peak activity. Your workers can do their jobs smoothly and efficiently without breaking a sweat because of superior organisation and management. To learn more about improving your warehouse management, please contact us.
