Safety Measures Inside the Warehouse

A safe, orderly, and efficient warehouse is the key to successful warehouse operations. The warehouse, together with the workers in it, plays an essential role in the way goods are sent, received, stored, and circulated throughout the facility. With so many activities going on and so many items to keep track of, a warehouse may also have more potential for accidents. Hence, it is especially important to observe safety measures in the warehouse.

Here are some precautions that need to be observed at all times while working inside the warehouse.

1. Check the load first to decide how best to move materials. Is it through the use of a forklift, hand truck, or by hand? Then check the route. Remove any obstacles that stand in the way. If they can’t be moved, figure out a different route.

2. Make sure there is enough space for the load at its designated warehouse storage system. If you plan to use material handling equipment, be sure there’s room to get the equipment in and turn it around.

3. Only authorized and trained personnel should be allowed to drive the forklift. Forklift safety is complex enough to require its own safety meeting. But there are a few important points that both operators and warehouse workers should always remember.

a. Drive a forklift slowly and obey traffic rules. Only authorized personnel should drive the forklift.
b. Never stand or walk under the raised part of a forklift, even if it’s empty.
c. Place forklift loads carefully so they’re stable and won’t fall off or tip the truck over.
d. Park a forklift with forks lowered and tilted flat, brake set, and key removed.

4. Never ride on a conveyor or crawl across or under it. Keep contact away from conveyor belt’s gears, shafts, and other moving parts to avoid further accidents.It’s also wise not to wear loose clothes or jewelry when you work around a conveyor.

These are just some of the safety measures that you and your co-workers in a warehouse should always observe and keep in mind. For more information about material handling and warehouse storage systems, visit http://www.msshouston.com/warehouse-mezzanines/warehouse-storage-systems.htm.

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Fixed Access Ladders for Equipment Platforms

Ladders are safety tools to get to an elevated point from the ground. They can be classified as portable, fixed, straight, and stepladders.

Fixed access ladders are widely used as means of access to and egress from an equipment platform, tower cranes, overhead structures in construction works, water tanks in buildings, lift machine rooms, shafts, and other structures. For fixed access ladders reaching a height of 3 metres or more, the following safety measures should be noted and observed.

1. Ensure that there is sufficient space behind the steps to provide a proper footing.

2. Employers should properly instruct workers of the hazards in the workplace as well as the relevant safety measures needed.

3. Ladder users should read and follow the information and instruction provided by the manufacturer.

4. Suitable safety hoops should be installed for additional safety and to serve as hand rails when accessing the ladder.

5. The spacing of the safety hoops should not exceed one metre.

6. The lowest safety hoop should be installed at a height not exceeding three meters above the ground, while the highest safety hoop should be installed one metre above the upper end of access and egress.

7. Especially when used in an equipment platform, the hoop should be connected to the guard-rail of the platform.

8. There should be a suitable landing place or rest platform at an interval of not greater than nine metres along the fixed access ladder. The landing place or rest platform should be fitted with suitable guard-rails of adequate strength. The height of the top guard-rail should be between 900 and 1,150 mm while the height of the intermediate guard-rail should be between 450 and 600 mm. The toe-board installed should be of at least 200 mm high.

While ladders are tools for easy access to elevated platforms, they can bring harm and accident when not used or installed properly. Hence, proper safety measures should always be observed. For more information, visit us!

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Mezzanines By Design
http://www.mezzaninesbydesign.com/

Safety Measures: Dos and Don’ts in Using Industrial Mezzanine Systems

photo from: amezz.com

An industrial mezzanine system can work effectively for you, especially if you install it properly, use it well, and maintain it every time. However, if proper maintenance is not observed, you mezzanine may not be able to provide its full function and you may even resort to repair or replacement.

To avoid any of the warehouse storage mishaps, follow these dos and don’ts in using an industrial mezzanine system.

Dos in Using Industrial Mezzanine Systems

• Have a professional install your industrial mezzanine. While some systems are small and easy to install, it is still better to seek the assistance of the manufacturer, supplier, or any mezzanine professional. Especially since it is their product and expertise, they can never go wrong in installing the mezzanine system.

• Create a systematic approach in storing and retrieving items from your mezzanine. A First In, Last Out (FILO) system works effectively most of the time in warehouse storage.

• Check and monitor your mezzanine system regularly for any damage, impairment, or anything that needs to be repaired. If you see something, contact your mezzanine manufacturer right away and have your system repaired. If you need to bring down all products stored, do so to avoid further damage or accident.

Don’ts in Using Industrial Mezzanine Systems

• Do not exceed the maximum weight capacity of your mezzanine system. Make sure that the total weight of the products stored in your system is within the weight limit of your mezzanine to guarantee its long-lasting function.

• Do not allow unauthorized individual to access the mezzanine. This way, you can be sure that materials handling is controlled and nobody is at risk for any accident.

• Do not continue using the mezzanine system if it is damaged or unstable. Instead, have it fixed or replaced right away to avoid further damage.

These are simple but effective ways on how to properly maintain you industrial mezzanine system. For more information about warehouse storage systems, consult us!

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Mezzanines By Design
http://www.mezzaninesbydesign.com/

How to Increase Warehouse Storage Space

Photo credited to – http://www.osbornlondon.co.uk/images/huge%20storage%20space.jpg

Are your product stocks filling up your warehouse storage space? Do you need additional space to keep the material handling and operations going? Here are some ideas on how you can increase your warehouse storage space.

Block Storage

Block storage involves storage of pallets on the floor such that there is no need for a racking system. Pallets are stacked high in designated storage lanes. This can be a viable option for stackable pallets that do not incur crushing or damage. This “free system” does not require purchasing and installation of any storage system which is a definite reduction of cost.

Drive-In Racks

Drive-in racks require the use of a forklift to store and retrieve pallets into the racking system. This implies using a vehicle that has a suitable outer width dimension that can fit between the uprights with adequate clearance on either side of the vehicle.

Single Deep Selective Racking

After block storage, single deep racking is the most common pallet storage system used in warehouses around the world because of its flexibility. It makes use of single deep post and beam racks to provide the lowest cost per pallet position of any racking system option available. It requires that each storage location be used to store a different SKU. Multiple types of forklifts can be used to store and retrieve pallets

Double Deep Selective Racking

Double deep selective racks basically consist of two single deep racks positioned together such that pallets are stored 2-deep instead of 1-deep.  They make use of a specialized electric reach truck with a scissor extension mast. They are commonly used for selective or storage purposes as they provide a good balance between increased capacity and low cost per pallet position. The storage and retrieval of pallets using this kind of system is fast and efficient.

These are just some ways on how you can increase the space on your warehouse storage. For more information about warehouse storage systems and drive-in racks, visit http://msshouston.com/drive-in-rack.html.

Dos and Don’ts for Pallet Racking Systems

Pallet racking systems are warehouse storage solutions designed to keep, store, and retrieve pallets of materials. They are usually designed and manufactured according to the needs and requirements of a warehouse or facility center. While these systems are often constructed durable, heavy-duty, and using only the finest grade of materials, they still require genuine care and maintenance to keep them functional for a long period of time.

To be able to accomplish this, there are several procedures that need to be observed when using pallet racking systems. Below are the dos and don’ts for the storage system.

Photo credited to http://www.apcstoragesolutions.co.za/uploads/bulk_product_images/Conventional-Pallet-Racking-011.jpg

Dos in Using a Pallet Racking System

1. Install a pallet racking system that perfectly fits and maximizes the space in your warehouse or facility center. Consider the spaces in between racks. This should perfectly match the volume of the products you will store in them. If you will be storing homogeneous products of same sizes, then there should be no problem with this.

2. Identify the maximum weight capacity of your pallet racking system and ensure that the total weight of the products you will store in it does not exceed the weight limit. This is to ensure the stability and long-lasting function of the device.

3. Do observe proper retrieval of products from your pallet racking system. A First-In Last-Out (FILO) system can be effective in maintaining an organized storage system.

Don’ts in Using a Pallet Racking System

1. Do not go beyond the maximum weight capacity if your pallet racking system.

2. Do not use the storage system if you find any minor or major damage in it. Even a loose nut or bolt can cause the entire system to erode or fall, causing serious damages to your products and accidents to warehouse workers.

These are some of the safety precautions that need to be observed when using pallet racking systems. Remember that no matter how sturdy your storage system is, you still have to practice proper safety measures. For more information about pallet racking systems, visit http://msshouston.com/pallet-racking-systems.html.