Archive for the ‘rack inspection’ Category

How to maximise productivity in a cold storage warehouse

There are many factors to consider when you are looking at maximising productivity and efficiency in cold storage warehouses.

Read the following tips and tricks to find out what you can do to help ensure that your cold storage warehouse is performing to the best of its ability.

Maintain the Temperature

Cold storage warehouses are used primarily for storing food, pharmaceuticals, and other perishable items, so it is imperative that the temperature is maintained to preserve the products in the warehouse and to also minimise running costs.

Monitor the Temperature

Monitor the temperature closely inside the warehouse and note any changes. If there are any significant or persistent changes to the temperature, you should get in touch with your refrigeration contractor to find out whether there are issues with the cooling system.

Keep the Condenser Unit Clean

Allowing for maximum airflow will help to improve efficiency of a cold storage warehouse. Condensers are designed to remove unwanted heat from a cold room, so it is important that the condenser unit is kept free of dust and debris to enable it to do perform effectively.

Check Doors and Their Seals

Refrigerated air can escape if there are any problems with your doors or their seals, which means that the cooling systems will have to work harder to maintain the temperature, thus increasing running costs.

You should replace doors or their seals as soon as you notice any cracks or damage in them to prevent this from happening.

Clean the Evaporator Coils

Evaporator coils use refrigerant to absorb heat and lower the temperature of the air. To make sure that the coils can do their job properly, you should ensure that they are always kept clean to prevent restrictions to the airflow.

Consider the Effect on your Workers

As well as the cold storage warehouse itself, it is important to also consider the effect that working in cold temperatures has on workers and their impact on the productivity of the warehouse.

Working in a cold storage warehouse can make workers cold and uncomfortable, which can result in a reduced morale, work rate, attention span, and accuracy. This can cause workers to become agitated and more prone to errors and incidents.

To help make workers more comfortable, you should invest in high-quality thermal uniforms for them to wear in cold storage warehouses.

Choose the correct storage system

A cold storage warehouse requires an intense amount of power to run therefore it is important to maximise storage space as much as possible. This not only allows you to store more stock in a smaller space, it reduces the amount of energy needed to keep the items the required temperature.

Carry out inspections regularly

Having an inspection schedule will help to ensure that changes and signs of potential issues are identified and dealt with quickly and efficiently, thus preventing damage and unnecessary costs.

It is imperative that your racking and storage solutions are checked on a regular basis. The extreme conditions of a cold storage warehouse means you need storage solutions that are durable and working at their best.

For assistance in preparing and monitoring your cold storage system, or if you think it may be time to upgrade your storage warehouse, call us on 0845 689 1300 to speak to a member of our expert team.

Here at Logical Storage Solution, we have over 10 years of experience in engineering bespoke storage solutions to suit each individual client’s needs.

Common Pallet Racking Risks and How to Prevent Them

Pallet racking is a great storage solution for warehouses and is amazing for maximising the storage space available, making a warehouse run more efficiently. However, it is essential that all pallet racking is of high quality, installed correctly, and is inspected regularly as there are certain potential safety hazards that pallet racking can cause. Here we discuss four common pallet racking risks and how to prevent them from happening.

Damage from collision

There may come a time when the pallet racking system is accidentally hit with some machinery such as a forklift truck. If this were to happen it can not only potentially cause items to fall from the racking, it could also cause damage to the frame. Even if there doesn’t seem to be any visible damage after the collision, ensure that the issue is reported and the pallet racking inspected. The structural integrity of the racking may still be damaged. If you notice any significant damage, this must be repaired immediately before the situation gets worse.

All members of staff should be trained in the protocol for what to do when they spot racking damage. If the racking is left damaged it could lead to something much more severe and damaging, such as a collapse.

Also, consider installing additional measures to help lower the risk of the collision causing damage in the first place. End guards and rack bollards for example can be installed to help prevent the collision from happening or limit the impact if it did still collide. The design of the warehouse also needs to be taken into account when a collision occurs. Although it was inevitably an accident you need to consider whether the collision happened because the machinery didn’t have sufficient room to manoeuvre around the racking.

Products Overhanging

Overhanging products are a common pallet racking problem. Pallets should only be placed on the racking system designed for that specific pallet size. Overhanging items not only can cause strain, but products can also be damaged and may fall, causing injury to employees.

It is important when choosing pallet racking that you use specialists who can meet your exact needs. Doing this ensures the shelves are the correct height and depth meaning overhanging will never be an issue.

Overloading

Pallet racking systems have weight restrictions that need to be adhered to, to avoid injury to workers and damage to the racking system. All employees in charge of loading items onto the racking need to be aware of these weight limits. They also need to understand how to place the load evenly onto the racking to spread the weight. They should always check the current weight load as well as the maximum weight limit before new pallets are added.

Not installed correctly

Sometimes racking may not be installed correctly, which can pose a major danger. All pallet racking systems should be installed by professionals. Choosing specialists means they carry out safety checks before the racking is used. You need full reassurance that the racking is aligned correctly and is level before anything is placed on it. The manufacturers’ guidelines need to be followed exactly to ensure it is installed correctly and fit for purpose. If this does not happen, the racking can cause a major health and safety nightmare.

Pallet racking can help optimise warehouse operations and make daily tasks much easier. However, all the issues above must be considered to avoid damage or harm. By ensuring the pallet racking is installed and used correctly as well as inspected by a professional regularly, a warehouse manager can use pallet racking to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their warehouse operations.

The Importance of Pallet Racking Inspections

Even if you have just had new pallet racking installed in your warehouse, or you have had the same pallet racking for years, it is equally vital to have the equipment inspected. Here we discuss the importance of pallet racking inspections that all warehouse managers and businesses need to be aware of.

Just like any other equipment, even if the pallet racking is of the highest standard, you need to be realistic and know that over time you should expect general wear and tear. Even though pallet racking is extremely durable and robust, damage can still occur. Nuts and bolts can become loose which, if not detected early can lead to the foundations of the structure being unsteady. This could cause potentially dangerous problems in the future. Damage can also happen if the pallet racking has undertaken any physical hits from machinery such as forklifts accidentally hidden the racking.

Why do you need a pallet racking inspection?  

As part of the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974, it is stated that “all adjustable pallet racking falls under the category of work equipment, which must be maintained and inspected on a regular basis”

The Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) of 1998 also states that all pallet racking shelving must meet the standards it sets out. This is in addition to the HSE guideline on Warehousing and Storage, HSG 76, states that “all racking systems should be of good mechanical construction, of sound material, adequate strength and installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.”

The inspections will observe the condition of the pallets, the positioning and types of loads stored on the pallet, the condition and type of floor the racking is fixed on plus much more. These are just some of the areas that are covered in the inspection. Once the inspection is done, a report will be issued with any recommendations or necessary actions.

By carrying out regular inspections, any issues can be dealt with head-on in a timely manner, reducing the risk of any accidents or further damage that could be costly to a business. By keeping the racking to the highest standards will also reduce the maintenance costs. It also helps towards creating a safer workplace and highlights to all warehouse employers that the business promotes health and safety in the workplace. This can considerably increase employees’ efficiency, happiness at work, and productivity if they know the equipment they are using is safe.

How often should the inspections take place? 

As a bare minimum, an expert inspection should take place annually. However, this is not the only inspection a warehouse needs to carry out. As stated in the EU Directive EN 15635, in addition to the annual expert inspection, internal inspections should also be undertaken on a weekly basis. Doing these regular inspections ensures that the racking remains fit for purpose and safe to use.

How do the inspections work? 

Warehouse inspections use a traffic light system in order to highlight any issues. These are called “damage categories”. Here is a description of the classifications:

Green Risk- The pallet racking system items that are damaged are within the limitations of BS EN 15635.

Amber Risk- The items are damaged beyond the limitations of BS EN15635. The rack should be offloaded as soon as possible within 4 weeks. The pallet racking system should not be used until the repair work has been completed.

Red Risk- Serious damage has occurred that are well beyond the limitations of BS EN 15635. If Red Risk occurs, the racking must be offloaded immediately and isolated from future use until the repair work has been carried out.

Who should do the inspections? 

A Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS) should be nominated at every warehouse. Their responsibilities include carrying out the weekly internal inspections.

Although a technically competent person internally can review the pallet racking, it can often be beneficial to use an external company to undertake these inspections. They look at the warehouse environment and condition of the pallet racking with completely fresh eyes. They will provide you with impartial advice, will have a team of experienced inspectors that are used to inspecting a range of different warehouses and will give the warehouse’s PRRS a comprehensive report that highlights any damaged or missing components and/or structural imperfections. This level of detailed inspection and feedback can be invaluable to the management of a busy warehouse.

Unfortunately, there are many accidents that take place in warehouses, some of which are caused by the equipment they are using. Prevention is key. Even if you don’t believe there is anything wrong with pallet racking, having regular inspection reduces the risk of injury and can help the racking last longer as it is well maintained.

By understanding these potential risks and having pallet racking inspections on a regular basis can help minimise the damage caused, fix any problems quickly and therefore minimise the risk of any serious damage or industry to equipment or staff considerably, making it a safer workplace.

Here at Logical Storage, we can offer high-quality mezzanine flooring for your business and are ready to discuss your warehouse storage requirements. For more information visit our website or call us on 0845 689 1300.

Ultimate Safety Tips for Your Warehouse

Pallet Racking Safety- Warehouse Safety Tips

Pallet racking is a great addition to any warehouse as they are a great storage solution and can improve efficiency and productivity. However, warehouse managers should be aware of measures regarding pallet racking safety. Issues can occur if the racking is damaged. These include collisions, incidents involving forklifts or overloaded pallets.

Here we discuss 7 ways you can improve the pallet racking safety in your warehouse

Always Use Suitable Forklifts

Forklifts should be suitable for the warehouse. Although the decision may be price-driven, a consideration should to the pallet contents should be given. Factors include the height and type of racking as well as aisle width. All of these factors will impact which forklift is suitable.

Handle With Care

Ensure all members of staff treat the pallet racking with care and use equipment in the correct manner. Place pallets evenly and squarely on the rack beams and remove damaged pallets from service.

Staff Training

Before anyone starts working with pallet racking in the warehouse, always ensure they have undertaken sufficient and detailed health and safety training which covers all aspects of how to correctly work with pallet racking.

Don’t Overload Pallets

Staff need to be aware of what the load capacity of the racking is and never exceed this. Overload pallet racking is asking for trouble and there is a reason why there are limits in place. Not only can it be dangerous for the employee, but it could also end up damaging equipment and products.

Keep Aisles Clear

Check for any obstructions in aisles as these can easily cause forklift collisions and other accidents.

Install Rack Protection

Invest in-rack protection to prevent damage from forklift collisions. Forklifts are heavy and can easily cause structural damage. To avoid any costs of damage or potential injuries, rack protection is a good option to help absorb the shock and impact of a potential collision.

Health and Safety Checks

Ensure safety information signs regarding the racking are visible and up to date. Implement clear processes for staff to follow in the event of an accident. Even though accidents cannot always be foreseen, an efficient accident process can help prevent any re-occurrences.

Carry out regular pallet racking inspections. Although damage may not be visible, the reassurance from a professional will provide peace of mind and will also keep your racking in the best condition for longer.

Ensuring your pallet racking remains in a safe condition is an ongoing task. Not only can damaged racking be harmful to employees, but it can also result in damaged inventories and associated costs. Implementing thorough safety measures can reduce this risk and therefore should be a priority for all warehouses that use pallet racking.

Here at Logical Storage, we can offer high-quality storage solutions, racking inspections and mezzanine flooring for your business. Call us on 0845 689 1300 for more information.

Warehouse Relocation- 11 Tips For A Smooth Move

Warehouse relocation projects are complex to undertake and can be extremely time-consuming so there are many things you need to consider to ensure the move goes as smooth as possible. Here is a quick checklist to go through to ensure you have all the essential tasks completed in plenty of time.

1. Plan the Move

Having a checklist of all the tasks you need to complete before and after the move will help you ensure nothing is missed and everything remains on schedule. No task is too small to include on the list as it avoids something being missed. Delegate jobs to a group of trusted employees as it’s impossible to orchestrate a large warehouse relocation single-handed.

Be realistic with timeframes when you are organising a move. It will inevitably take longer than you originally anticipated, so ensure you plan for this.

2. Contact a Moving Company and Schedule the Move

Ensure everyone knows the move date. From suppliers to employees and contractors, keep them all abreast of the plans. Obtain a few quotes from different moving companies in order to secure the best quote from a reliable company.

3. Evaluate Your Space

Moving warehouse is a perfect time to analyse and review the new space you have available. Knowing your space in advance means you can optimise the layout. This is a great time to rearrange your supplies and organized your stock. Don’t be tempted to stick completely to how stock was organised before. Yes, this is what people are used to, but if there is a more logical option available that will make your process more efficient, saving time or space, then you should try it.

4. Consider Additional Storage

If you are moving to a warehouse that is high, do you have room for a mezzanine floor? This is a great opportunity to have one installed without interrupting production. Also consider getting additional racking if you have more available space than your previous warehouse.

5. Organise Your Inventory

Account for everything and organise it before you move it. Doing so will save you time later. It also means you can move the stock you do not need as urgently first, leaving you with vital equipment up until the last minute, reducing the amount of necessary downtime.

6. Tidy Up

It can be a challenge to keep a warehouse spotless all the time, however, ensure you tidy as you go to avoid have clutter around the warehouse and leaving items in places that could be a trip hazard. As you pack up to move, throw aware anything you do not use or anything that has aged and no longer needed. There is no point moving it to the new warehouse if you will not use it as it will take up valuable space.

7. Look For Damaged Items

As you pack away, ensure you check the quality of your equipment. Also check your pallet racking is in good condition and not damaged before you relocate it. Check again once you are at the new location in case something is broken during transit. If you do not have regular maintenance, you are at risk of a serious accident and repair work can lead to delays in productivity, so it is best to spot any damage early.

When pallet racks or shelving are moved or unloaded, there is a risk of spillages or damage to the stock. Always ensure this is being done carefully. Also ensure that when the pallets are being restocked, all items are safely secured, especially at the higher levels.

8. Ensure Safety Measures Are In Place

When you get the new warehouse, ensure you have implemented safety measures immediately. Check that all the floor markings are clearly visible and all safety signs are clear and correct. Having this all set up in advance will make the transition smoother.

9. Communicate Clearly With Employees

Ensure all employees are aware of the new layout of the warehouse, what their specific tasks are during the relocation and who they are reporting to. Knowing this in advance will hopefully avoid any chaos and confusion during the move.

10. Be Wary of Theft

Unfortunately, a warehouse move is an opportunistic time for something to be stolen due to the busy environment. Stay on top of this risk by assigning trusted employees different zones to manage during the move and keeping an accurate log of the inventory when it moved from the old location and again when it arrives at the new location.

12. Notify People of Your New Address

Whether they are your customers, suppliers, utility companies, banks or insurance company, make a list of everyone you need to update on your address in advance. Having the list at hand makes it easy to keep track of who you have notified and who else needs to know.

Although a warehouse relocation is always going to be a mammoth task to undertake, splitting the task up and organising as much in advance can make the process go smoothly. Although a warehouse relocation is a big change that can impact the company’s productivity whilst the move takes place, it is a great opportunity to install additional shelving, make the most of your space and improve the efficiency of your processes, which will ultimately increase your productivity and lead to more sales.

Here at Logical Storage, we can offer high-quality storage solutions, racking inspections and mezzanine flooring for your business. Call us on 0845 689 1300 for more information.

8 things to consider when buying pallet racking

Buying pallet racking for your businesses’ warehouse can be a great investment, however you need to ensure you are choosing the correct type for your business needs. Here we discuss 8 things you should consider before buying pallet racking as it is a long-term investment.

1. Accessibility
You need to think about what you will be storing in your pallet racking and how often your staff will need to access it. Ensure your pallet racking has enough space for you to place slow-moving stock at the back and have faster-moving stock at the front in a more convenient and accessible position. Before ordering the racking, you need to plan where all your stock will go, and plan based on how often you need to access it. It will depend on the type of stock you have as well as the type of operational system you have running in your warehouse.

2. Space and warehouse layout
You also need to consider what space you have within your warehouse to work with. Again, you need to plan in advance where all the stock will be going, whilst ensuring there is enough space for your staff to move around, especially as you may need equipment such as cranes and forklift trucks to help get higher pallets. Racking systems are available in a range of heights so make sure you make the most out of the height you have available in your warehouse. Increasing your storage vertically can make your warehouse more cost-effective, reduces your need to relocate and find larger premises and uses what would otherwise be wasted space.

3. Durability
You need to ensure the pallet racking you are buying matches your needs. How long after the racking is installed would you ideally like it to last? Pallet racking varies and you need to match the type to your needs. If you require the most durable pallet racking available, then you need to decide this before purchasing and look at the specifications carefully. There are cheaper options out there such as second-hand pallet racking, but if durability is a main concern for you, then these options may not be suitable for you.

4. Size of pallets
A major consideration is the size of the pallets you need to store. Figure this out first and choose suitable pallet racking to match.

5. Adjustability
Although you may have all your warehouse and pallet racking plans sorted, the requirements may change in the future. If you think this is likely, ask about whether the pallet racking you are interested in can be adjusted in the future (such as shelf height). Knowing this information in advance will give you peace of mind that if there are changes to your stock in the future, your pallet racking can adapt to meet these needs, avoiding more racking needing to be purchased.

6. Safety
Always ensure that safety is a high priority when choosing pallet racking. You need to ensure that you have bought a high standard product that you know will be fit for purpose. Ensure you always have your pallet racking inspected regularly as you have no guarantee that an accident will not happen as a result. Also ensure that all staff are fully trained before accessing stock from pallet racking.

7. Purpose
There is not a one size fits all option when it comes to pallet racking. The types vary dramatically depending on their purpose and so you need to think about this before choosing. Whether it is a wide aisle, very narrow aisle or double deep, consider what you need to store on them and also what room you have available in your warehouse before you decide on what style is best for you.

8. Budget
Inevitability your choice will be constrained by your budget for a new racking system. Cost will always be a significant factor for many businesses, but you need to ensure that you have weighed up all the options equally and not base your decision solely on price. If you do this, you could end up with a lower quality product that does not suit your business’ needs exactly and could end up costing you more in the long run. Always discuss your options fully first and ensure you choose the option that best suits your businesses’ operations.

Pallet racking is an important investment for your company. Before you buy, ensure you have thought about the factors discussed above in detail to ensure you have chosen the correct options for your company to continue working at its most efficient. Choosing the wrong type of pallet racking can not only waste your money and time, it can also lead to less productivity, damaged goods or even workplace accidents.

Here at Logical Storage, we offer a range of racking solutions for warehouses. For more information visit our website or call us on 0845 689 1300.

How to keep your workplace safe using racking

A lack of understanding of Health & Safety laws coupled with practical dangers such as heavy loads and overloading can produce plenty of risks to your business. Often however, the key to staying safe is as simple as choosing the right form of racking system and taking due care when choosing a supplier.

The dangers to businesses in the workplace
There are many dangers within a workplace. These can vary in businesses depending on what the environment is like. During 2017/18 a total of 144 workers were killed in fatal accidents and more than 650,000 non-fatal injuries were reported. This poses a huge risk to businesses as it can have bad consequences such as workers taking time off to recover or even in the worst case a worker being killed resulting in fines and even legal action.

How can racking help?
Racking is a great way to stop and prevent these dangers from occurring. This is because it is a highly-effective storage solution which enables for easy organisation and allows for heavy objects to be stored away safely. Saying this, racking will only be an effective solution if it is maintained properly, hence why it is incredibly important to have annual inspections.

Initial installation
Before even thinking about Health & Safety or maintenance for your racking, you need to ensure that you are selecting the right supplier and installer to get the job done. If your racking is faulty then it could have a negative impact on not only your productivity, but it can have a large impact on your Health & Safety standards.

Requirements on the racking
All manufacturers of warehouse racking are obliged to provide the safe loading data on the racking system, stating its maximum load and the maximum number of items that can be loaded at once.

This is to ensure that the users of the racking systems know how to load it properly so that it coincides with health and safety regulations. Failure meet these standards can have detrimental effects as it could cause racking and pallets to fall on the driver of a forklift or anyone stood underneath it.

Rules around the racking
In addition to the points mentioned above, your own housekeeping is essential to keeping your racking safe and in turn aiding the overall Health & Safety standards of your business. Keep workways clear for both forklifts and workers and have systems in place to collect and disperse rubbish as a minimum. Adopt a “see it – sort it” approach for maximum impact.

Inspections and maintenance
Inspections of your warehouse racking are a must as the HSE recommend having annual inspections by a SEMA approved racking inspector so that you are can highlight any problems and so you can stay up to date with any new legalisation.

This is where we can help. Here at Logical Storage we can offer high-quality racking inspections for your business and discuss your racking requirements. Click here for more details http://www.logicalstorage.co.uk/services/rack-inspection/ or call us on 0845 689 1300.

What causes racking damage?

Damage to the racking in your warehouse can have a devastating impact. Not only can it slow down your operations and cause damage to your stock, but it can also put your employees at serious risk of injury which in turn can spiral into financial loss and potentially damage to your reputation as a business. But how does racking damage occur in the first place? Here are a few common examples.

Vehicular damage
Warehouses are busy environments and while vehicles like forklifts are excellent tools in speeding up your operations and reaching areas that would be more challenging on foot, used incorrectly or without proper training they can pose serious hazards. Accidental collisions with racking systems are a common cause of breakages and while more serious incidents may be too hard to ignore, small bumps and knocks could go unnoticed but still do damage that compromises your systems.

Poor warehouse layout
While poor training of drivers can lead to collisions with racking, sometimes it is not the driver who is at fault. Instead cramped and poorly maintained areas that don’t utilize tools like coloured safety tape and notices or have poor housekeeping can result in drivers having to make tight maneuvers that can often end in collisions.

Overloading
The most common cause of racking failure is that of overloading. By calculating factors like frame size, beam size and depth we can work out exactly what the limit should be for weight on your racking. However, if advice is ignored and your racking becomes overloaded then structural damage is bound to occur at some point. It is important to make it clear to workers through both training and notices exactly what weight limits are.

Seek advice
The key to avoiding racking damage is to quickly identify faulty or damaged racking. By organising periodic reviews of your racking with a professional company you can quickly identify small signs of wear and tear before they develop into something much worse.

Logical Storage is highly skilled in spotting the often hard-to-find signs of racking degradation. We carry out regular reviews for a number of businesses helping them to keep their systems in good working order and to maintain their legal obligations under the Health & Safety Act.  To find out more please call us on 0845 689 1300.

Why you need to take racking damage seriously

Whether you are a large business operating in an industrial sized building, or a small operation with just a few employees, racking inspection and repair is absolutely essential to your business.

Damage to racking through poor placement of stock, damage by forklifts or other equipment can risk the integrity of your racking and put both your product and your employees at risk.

Time and time again, unsafe racking has resulted in catastrophic failures where racking has collapsed, hitting other structures and resulting in widespread damage to both systems and stock. This then results in equipment, storage systems and stock having to be replaced which means hours of wasted time and heavy costs incurred. Can your business afford the downtime?

Equally, there have also been plenty of cases of unsafe racking resulting in damage not just to stock but also employees who have been caught in the crossfire of a collapse. Should an employee be injured you could be liable under the Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act (2007).  An incident of this sort would not only be terrible for those involved but could also leave your business with a loss of reputation and having to divert your attention to lengthy, expensive legal issues.

The key question here is how can this be prevented? The number one way that you can prevent a racking collapse is to have regular inspections of your racking by a trained professional looking out for bent or damaged beams, loose attachments, overloading, corrosion, misalignments and more. Damage to racking can be difficult to spot unless you know what you are looking for which is why it is important to seek out experienced help.

Logical Storage is highly skilled in spotting the often hard-to-find signs of racking degradation. We carry out regular reviews for a number of businesses helping them to keep their systems in good working order and to maintain their legal obligations under the Health & Safety Act.  To find out more please call us on 0845 689 1300.