Handling Heat Effectively in the Warehouse

Your warehouses may be in different geographic locations throughout the world. Depending on that region's climate, the conditions may lower employee productivity.

The following post provides some suggestions in regards to lowering the effects of heat and raising the production output of your warehouse.

- Installing air conditioning in your warehouse is optimal, but not always practical. Floor and ceiling fans can help combat the humidity in the air and the fatigue of workers.

- Any warehouse area with machinery or mechanisms that cause friction can be hotter than other areas. Focus on installing fans or vents in these concentrated areas.

- It is extremely important for workers to stay hydrated. It is suggested to keep water bottles available for workers or to give them access to multiple water coolers. The chance of heat stroke or exhaustion rises when water is not ingested frequently during hot weather and/or working conditions involving manual labor.

- Vinyl strip doors and curtains may not appear to be effective in climate control, but they are indeed. Install vinyl strips along dock doors and other partitions throughout your warehouse. The strips are great in keeping hot air outside while maintaining a cool climate inside of the warehouse.

Sources

Cisco-Eagle

Warehousing News

Interview with Maxi Storage Systems


Expect Warehouse Growth, Experts Say


Five Speed Bumps that Halt Your Company's Profits

Warehousing News - Week of 8/17

On-board weighing system
RDS technology has invented a solution to increase efficiency and ameliorate safety. The digital Liftalert system alarms workers when load capacities are nearing overload status. A hydraulic load sensor sends visual and audible signals when maximum capacity is approached.

Read the full article at Warehouse and Logistics News.



Keeping Safe from the Ground Up
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, one-fourth of all occupational fatalities result from transportation and material moving occupations. This warrants heavy safety precautions to be present in warehouse facilities. In addition, OSHA has recently delivered some hefty fines in an attempt to curb violations and to place more emphasis on safety.

Read the full article at MMH Magazine

Find a Warehouse Near Your Hot Spot

Warehouse services are helpful to small to mid-size businesses that do not own a housing unit of their own. Along with other factors to consider in outsourcing, a business must think about the location of the warehouse.

Many warehouses exist in the middle of the country. The rationale behind this geographic decision is that the warehouse is equidistant to all borders, thus theoretically making shipping costs the lowest.

Do research and find out where your company's 'hot spots' reside. This way, you can choose a warehouse that is closest to the highest number of customers.

Warehouse news:

How to Work the Warehouse - WashingtonPost.com

Warehouse Management Systems - A Top-Shelf Solution - DC Velocity