Warehouse Mezzanine Safety

Mezzanines are big storage tools designed to maximize space in a warehouse or storage facility. Although they provide a lot of advantages, when not maintained properly, they can cause serious injury and damage. To avoid these from happening, here are some warehouse mezzanine safety tips that need to be observed by all employees in the warehouse.

1. While there are ready-made mezzanines that can readily be installed by the buyer, it is always safer to have a professional install it for you. The manufacturers and designers of mezzanines know exactly how to handle the installation so better let them do it to ensure correct and proper installation.

2. If your mezzanine comes with a manual, it is important to read it carefully first before using and storing products on equipment on it. Know the proper precautions and maintenance practices that will help lengthen the usage of the mezzanine and avoid damages.

3. Choose a stairway option for your mezzanine with two handrails that will assist warehouse workers when climbing up or down the stairs. Ensure that the steps are not too big or far apart from each other to avoid any slips or accidents.

4. Identify the maximum weight capacity of your warehouse mezzanine and ensure that the total weight of the items you will stack on it doesn’t exceed the right limit.

5. Check for any damage or loose parts that need to be fixed on your mezzanine. When identified that it is indeed damaged, discontinue use temporarily and unload all items to avoid further damage. Contact your mezzanine manufacturer right away and have it fixed immediately.

Warehouse mezzanines can be very useful when used and maintained properly. However, if safety measures are not practiced inside the warehouse, serious accidents may happen that could lead to employee injuries. Avoid these by observing proper safety measures. For more information about warehouse mezzanine, visit http://msshouston.com/cantilever-racking-21/uncategorised/warehouse-mezzanine.

4 Types of Steel Mezzanines

A steel mezzanine is a stand-alone structure designed to be installed in an existing building, warehouse, facility, or structure to maximize clear space under and above the mezzanine. It is made with high-grade steel materials and provides durability for warehouse storage or equipment handling.

There are four basic types of steel mezzanines used in warehouses, distribution centers, and industrial settings, including free standing mezzanines, building supported mezzanines, rack supported mezzanines, and shelving supported mezzanines.

Free Standing Mezzanines

Free standing mezzanines, also known as equipment platforms, are often used to hold equipment. They provide wide space to accommodate heavy items. However, they are also widely used for parts and product storage in warehouses and distribution centers, and in the material handling sector to support conveyor systems.

Also known as structural, steel, or wide span mezzanines, free standing mezzaninesoffer great flexibility in setup and restructuring.

Building Column-Connected Mezzanines

This type of steel mezzanines relies on the existing building structure for their support, such as building posts and columns. The building must have been designed to support additional loads. A blended system can also be developed in which a mezzanine is supported partly by the building structure and partly by columns, as long as the foundation can support the additional load.

Rack-Supported Mezzanines

As the name implies, rack supported mezzanines provide a level of usable space between or above existing pallet racks, provided that the rack system can support the additional loads. When installed between racks, these structures can also be called as catwalk systems. Because the existing rack structure is used to support the mezzanine level, this type of mezzanine can be more economical than a free standing mezzanine.

Shelving Supported Mezzanines

Shelving-supported mezzanines can be used for storage of smaller items and are ideal for order-picking access among existing shelf units. This type of mezzanine is the least flexible for reconfiguration but, like rack-supported systems, can be more economical than free standing mezzanines.

These are the four major types of steel mezzanines. For more information about the different types of warehouse storage systems, visit http://msshouston.com/cantilever-racking-20/uncategorised/steel-mezzanine.

Parts of a Catwalk Storage System

Catwalk systems are multi-level storage systems designed to utilize the available vertical space in a warehouse or facility using catwalk aisles and employee access stairways. With this type of storage system, storage and retrieval of stored items are done by employees instead of using of heavy equipment, such as forklifts or order pickers.

Catwalk systems usually feature narrow pick aisles, reduced cross aisles, and less wasted warehouse space. Multi-level systems can also be installed to further maximize the available space in a warehouse. These systems can be made from standard shelving components or custom fabricated rack components.

Here are the various parts of a catwalk storage system that makes it complete and functional.

Catwalk Rack Storage Systems – These usually feature custom fabricated pallet rack systems that use less material parts than industrial shelving. Rack components provide maximum span and capacity for catwalk storage.

Catwalk Shelving Storage Systems — These features standard shelving storage system for the typical material handling needs.

Catwalk Stairs – Stairs are the best way for workers to access the different catwalk levels. They come with handrails and are made sturdy, durable, and according to the safety code requirements of your area. Stairs with closed risers, wider or smooth treads, unusual angles and runs, are available.

Catwalk Deck Surfaces– These feature bar grating, high density wood, sturdier floor on B-Deck, diamond plate or metal decking, moisture resistant, concrete, and heat treated decks – all of which are important to maintain the safety of the employees and the items being stored in the system. Some of these decking features make catwalk flooring capable of withstanding heavy duty pallet jack and cart loads.

Catwalk Conveyor Systems – The use of an inclined conveyor system is an economical and cost-effective way of moving products on and off catwalk systems. This saves time, effort, and energy of employees working on loading and unloading the catwalk storage system.

While there are many types of warehouse storage systems, the catwalk systems are one of the most popularly used For more information about this type of storage system, visit http://www.msshouston.com/warehouse-mezzanines/catwalk_systems.htm.

When to Get Custom Fabrication for Your Warehouse Storage System

While there are a wide variety of storage systems available for your warehouse, sometimes, the options are limited and there is nothing that fits your requirements. In cases like this where off-the-shelf solution is not an option for your warehouse needs, you may want to consider custom fabrication.

 

Custom fabrication is the process of designing, creating, and installing customized storage systems according to the requests and requirements of a client. If you are thinking of getting custom-made storage system, make sure you experience any of the following conditions. Otherwise, you may simply want to get a standard-sized storage solution.

1. The size of the storage space in your warehouse is quite unique and nothing out of the ordinary can really fit there. Premade storage systems usually come in standard sizes, and unique measurements may not be readily available.

2. You have special requests for your storage system that standard-sized systems do not offer, such as built in ladder and an adjustable platform, for example. With custom fabrication, you can easily instruct storage system manufacturers about what additional features you need.

3. You prefer a special kind of material to be used for your storage system. If you want mezzanine built using a special kind of steel, for example, you can request this to your mezzanine manufacturer and they will custom make one according to your special preference.

4. Your material handling and storage systems undergo a unique process different from typical warehouses and storage systems. In this case, a custom fabricated system is the best solution for you.

Getting a custom fabricated storage system may be a better option for you, especially if one of your material handling conditions is mentioned above. For more information about warehouse storage systems and custom fabrication, consult with the experts at MSS Houston or visit their website at http://msshouston.com/racking-systems-2/uncategorised/custom-fabrication.

Maintenance Tips for Cantilever Racking Systems

A cantilever racking system is an important storage tool for materials that are not easily stored in a pallet storage system. It is ideally used for long and heavy products including pipe, tubing, oil tools, and lumber. When used properly and maintained well, cantilever racking systems can withstand for a long period of time and be used over and over again.

It is, therefore, important to maintain cantilever racks to avoid damages and be able to use them for a long time. Here are some maintenance tips for cantilever racking systems.

1. Get a cantilever rack with a height, weight, and volume according to your warehouse’s requirements. Getting one that is too small or too tall may not fit appropriately inside your warehouse. Make sure that you have made the right measurements before getting or having one installed.

2. Determine the maximum weight capacity of your cantilever rack and follow it religiously. Make sure that the total weight of the products you are storing is within the weight limit of the system. Otherwise, the system might carry too much weight and tension, and might cause its immediate damage.

3. Regularly check your system for any damage that needs to be repaired. When you find one, stop using it for the meantime to avoid further harm and accidents. Instead, have a professional look at it and repair it so it will be restored to its original form.

4. Post warning signs and labels on each side of your cantilever racking system. This will guide your employees about the proper use of the system and the right way of storing your products.

5. Keep unauthorized people from accessing the cantilever rack. When heavy items are stored in or taken down from the rack inappropriately, they may cause harm to workers. Ensure that only eligible workers can work on the storage system.

These are just some helpful tips on how to use and maintain cantilever racks. For more information about the proper use and maintenance of cantilever racking systems, consult with the experts at http://msshouston.com/cantilever_racking_systems.html.

Making Warehouse Storage Systems Work for You

Storage is an extremely essential part of every warehouse space and a crucial component for material handling businesses. When you have the right warehouse storage systems, not only will you have more space available for stock and equipment; more importantly, they can increase the efficiency of your operations and productivity of your employees.

Here are some tips on how you can make your storage systems work for you.

1. Maximize the space in your warehouse by installing storage systems that ergonomically fit. There is a wide variety of storage systems available for different products and items. Know which ones are perfect in storing the products that you are handling.

2. Get durable, long-lasting systems that can accommodate heavy weights and rigorous storing processes. A weak, unstable system can be a safety hazard and might bring constant inconvenience when it gets damaged over and over again.

3. Above everything else, keep safety in mind. No matter how well your storage system is installed in place, remind your employees to practice safety measures at all times. It will be helpful if you place warning signs and labels all over your warehouse to ensure that proper caution will be observed.

4. Practice efficient ways of stocking, storing, and retrieving. Place fast-moving products in prime locations, while slow-moving ones at the back, which is not easily accessed. This way, you won’t be able to abuse the use of storage systems, while increasing the productivity of your operations.

When stocking products in your warehouse, it is not enough that you install warehouse storage systems. More importantly, you have to use them intelligently and with proper care to make them work for you. For more information about various storage systems in the warehouse, consult with th4e experts at MSS Houston by visiting http://www.msshouston.com/warehouse-mezzanines/warehouse-storage-systems.htm.