15 Tips for Keeping Your Warehouse Productive This Summer
Ensure your staff’s comfortable and your operation remains productive
For some of us, the summer heat has already made an appearance (for others, it’s yet to happen). As we enter the year’s hottest months, it’s safe to say that working in a warehouse can become an exhausting and challenging activity. So, how can you ensure your staff’s comfortable AND your operation remains productive – even when the temperatures rise? Well, here are a few tips to help . . .
DID YOU KNOW?
At 29.5°c, each employee loses 8.8% of his or her productivity
DID YOU KNOW?
At 29.5°c, each employee loses 8.8% of his or her productivity
Start Fanning Out
Ceiling-mounted behemoths are energy-efficient.
When it comes to cooling vast warehouse spaces, air conditioning costs can quickly spiral out of control. How do you solve this? With high volume, low speed (HVLS) fans. Ceiling-mounted behemoths are energy-efficient and can achieve over 1,800m² coverage with just 7m blades.
To further illustrate their efficiency and effectiveness, single HVLS fans can replace up to 20 smaller ceiling fans.
Tip 1
Always try to prevent temperatures in the warehouse from reaching around 30 °C
Tip 2
Invest in HVLS fans to ensure widespread coverage of cooler air in an energy-efficient way
Tip 3
When necessary, combine air conditioning with HVLS fans for faster drops in temperatures
DID YOU KNOW?
"20°c is the ideal temperature for factory and warehouse workers" – the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Everyone is Different
Heat affects people differently.
During the summer months, it’s important to remember that heat affects people differently. Some employees may be able to handle the hotter temperatures, whereas others will begin to struggle. With this in mind, pay close attention to older employees or staff new to manual work. And of course, always make allowances for workers who suffer from illnesses as they may need special attention.
Tip 4
Allow warehouse workers to drink water every 15 minutes or so
Tip 5
Expect slower working progress due to restrictive conditions
Tip 6
Pay close attention to older employees and those with illnesses
DID YOU KNOW?
"20°c is the ideal temperature for factory and warehouse workers" – the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
DID YOU KNOW?
The risk of heat-related illness dramatically increases when temperatures climb to 26°c or higher
DID YOU KNOW?
The risk of heat-related illness dramatically increases when temperatures climb to 26°c or higher
Door-to-door Solutions
Warehouses feature many doors and loading bays.
Having achieved a comfortable temperature in the warehouse, it would be a shame to see this cool air fly out the door. However, warehouses feature many doors and loading bays that need to be taken into consideration. The obvious solution would be to keep these openings closed. Whenever this is not possible, vinyl strip doors or curtains are the ideal solutions. They not only keep cool air in and warm air out, but they’re also hugely energy efficient as there is less need to overcome temperature increases.
Tip 7
Identify all openings in your warehouse, including doors, bays, and windows
Tip 8
Aim to keep all doors closed and trap the cool air inside
Tip 9
Otherwise, use vinyl strip curtains to prevent cold air from exiting
DID YOU KNOW?
Bar code scanners operate in temperatures ranging from 0°c to 40°c
Keep Your Eyes Peeled
Parts expand and are more susceptible to friction.
In a warehouse environment, there are typically hundreds and even thousands of moving parts and components. Now, during warmer weather, these parts can expand and become more susceptible to friction. Of course, the friction causes heat, which in turn makes the situation worse until there is a breakdown or catastrophic failure.
So during the summer months, just be aware that it’s not only your employees that need your attention. Your machinery and equipment do too!
Tip 10
Ensure warehouse parts and components are regularly serviced and maintained
Tip 11
Keep an eye on performance levels and operating temperatures during warm weather
Tip 12
Train employees to spot the tell-tale signs of overheating and install reporting procedures
DID YOU KNOW?
Bar code scanners operate in temperatures
ranging from 0°c to 40°c
DID YOU KNOW?
Over 66% of workers say their productivity is compromised when they cannot take leave when needed
DID YOU KNOW?
Over 66% of workers say their productivity is compromised when they cannot take leave when needed
The Great Getaway
Give staff time to relax, recuperate and recharge.
The kids are off school, barbecues and al fresco dinners are being planned, and family activities are in full swing. Suffice to say, the summer months can be a huge distraction for your warehouse employees when at work. So, plan as best as possible to ensure staff can take annual leave as and when they want it. This not only enables them to spend time with their families and loved ones. It also gives them time to relax, recuperate and recharge before returning to your warehouse.
Tip 13
Plan summer months effectively to ensure maximum vacation days for workers
Tip 14
Post staff holiday bookings publically within the team so everyone is aware of availabilities
Tip 15
Where possible, allow employees to swap and trade vacation days to suit themselves
The One Stop Shop
We provide a complete consultancy service from start to finish.
It doesn’t matter if the weather is scorching hot, freezing cold, or in between, running a productive warehouse can be a challenge. But that’s where we can help. At Locators, we recommend and supply the optimal materials handling and storage systems for all environments. With a view of the end-user in every project and application, we provide a complete consultancy service from start to finish. Alongside this, we even supply all the tools/products you could need. So, whether it’s racking, forklifts, pickers or a variety of other solutions, we can ensure your warehouse remains productive . . . whatever the weather.
