Logical Storage News

8 Ways to Make Your Warehouse More Eco Friendly

Warehouses can create a lot of waste and use a huge amount of energy. By introducing some initiatives, warehouses can significantly reduce their emissions, create a positive brand image and potentially save costs at the same time. Here we discuss 8 ways a warehouse can easily make changes that will positively impact the environment.

1. Change your lighting

Ensure your lighting is switched to an eco-friendly option such as LEDs. Not only does LED lighting last longer, they produce a lower heat output and can be impactful in your warehouse. Adopting new lighting systems is one of the easiest changes a company can make and see the benefits quickly. The initial upfront cost of the lighting switch is higher than a standard switch, but LED bulbs tend to last longer than standard lighting and reduce the amount of electricity that is used. You will have to pay slightly more for the initial upfront cost of the lighting switch; however, they will last significantly longer and will help cut down on your electricity bill at the same time.

2. Make energy-efficient choices when buying new equipment

Consider environmental factors when purchasing new equipment. For example, many warehouses are now opting for forklifts that are powered by hydrogen as opposed to electricity. Charging a gas canister only takes 5 minutes as opposed to 30 minutes for electric versions. They help reduce waste products, lower your operating costs and improve productivity as the amount of downtime is decreased. Another positive is that hydrogen-fueled forklifts do not produce harmful emissions, helping to reduce the warehouses’ overall greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Use plastic pallets

Plastic pallets are extremely durable, can be used for a range of goods and when they are worn out, they can be recycled. They are also extremely light compared to other materials, meaning that they are more cost-effective when being transported.

4. Start a recycling program

Setting up a recycling program may seem like a daunting task however warehouses do have a lot of waste that is easily recycled such as cardboard, so this is a great way to start. By putting some procedures in place that are easy to teach your staff, you will soon be able to cut down on your waste.

5. Invest in better insulation

Investigate your current insulation. Insufficient insulation can result in a huge amount of heat loss. Although reinsulating your warehouse may appear to be a large and expensive project, the long-term benefits and future savings can easily offset this.

6. Build up instead of relocating

If you are running low on storage or working space, consider building up instead of relocating. It takes a lot of organization, materials and labour to move a warehouse so make the most of your current space before deciding to move. Having pallet racking extended vertically is a great way to increase your available space. Alternatively, you can consider a mezzanine floor to create another level to your warehouse.

7. Cut back on packaging

Wherever possible, cut back on the packaging you are sending your goods out in. Not only will less waste be produced by doing this, the overall cost per package will reduce. Also use biodegradable packaging as well.

8. Optimise your warehouse layout

Plan the layout of your warehouse carefully. By placing fast-moving stock in a convenient location, you can improve the efficiency of your staff.

There are many benefits to warehouses going green. It can reduce your bills, increase sustainability, reduce your carbon footprint and be a great way to differentiate yourself from your competitors. The best thing is, even making small changes now can help make your warehouse more environmentally friendly so try and implement as many things as you can.
Although some of the steps above will take some organisation, planning and initial investment, overtime when the process smooths out, the benefits of being a greener warehouse will be able to be seen clearly.

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.

How to prepare your warehouse for the Christmas rush

Many warehouses experience a busy period over Christmas which is great for the business but can make keeping your warehouse organised during this period a difficult task. Here we discuss some of the things you can implement to make sure your warehouse is ready for the busier time and can run as efficiently as possible.

Signs
Signs are a cheap and effective method to ensure a safe and efficient warehouse environment. They are useful for both employees and any visitors to the warehouse. They can help locate stock, show designated routes and traffic flow as well as warn people about any potential hazards and the location of emergency exits and supplies. When planning your signs, ensure they are all clear, concise and up to date. Remove any conflicting or old signs to avoid confusion.

Shelving and Racks
Sufficient shelving and racking are more important than ever during busy times in your warehouse. They keep stock and inventories organised and also avoid cluttered floor creating trip hazards. It also makes everything easier to find which can improve productivity and efficiency.

Check to see if you have enough space for all your stock. If not, are you able to have more shelving or racking installed? Next, organise your stock to ensure bestsellers and fast-moving stock are easier to access. If you have seasonal stock, ensure out of season products are put further away to leave room for up-to-date stock.

Are you making the most of your storage space? Sometimes organisations can be reluctant to change the order of stock because employees are used to it being there. You should not worry about this and instead ensure your shelving is being used to its highest potential. If you think your shelving is organised effectively but you still do not have enough space, consider temporary shelving solutions which can be removed once the busy period is over.

Inspect your equipment
Maintenance schedules should always be in place for equipment but be prudent before the busy period. Check everything from printers and other IT equipment to forklifts, pallet trucks, sack trolleys and the shelving and racking itself. Identifying issues with equipment can save precious time and money and could even prevent serious injury occurring.

Wear protective clothing
Always ensure PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as hardhats, boots and hi-visibility vests are worn in warehouses if there are potential hazards. If you have high shelving and racking, ensure protective headwear is always worn as objects falling from a height is one of the most common causes of workplaces injuries.

Prepare for the unexpected
Not all situations are predictable, but you can still have procedures in place to accommodate the unexpected. For example, you cannot predict or control the weather, however you could have guidelines and preventive measures put in place to ensure the least amount of disruption is kept to a minimum. Ensuring transport is regularly maintained and that you have enough staff to cover any sicknesses or unexpected absences are two ways you can prepare for such scenarios.

Check breaks are being taken
Although everyone knows people need breaks, it’s not always easy to stop and have one when you are extremely busy. However, regular breaks must be enforced. Not only does it adversely affect the worker as they can become tired and less effective, it also has a knock-on effect on others and the productivity and efficiency of the overall warehouse.

Once the busy period hits, you won’t have time to spare to implement these into your warehouse so ensure you have prepared these in advance to ensure a smooth and efficient process throughout Christmas time.

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.

8 things to consider before investing in mezzanine flooring

A mezzanine floor is a partial floor that is added to premises that have high ceilings and provides extra space which can be used for office space, retail space or storage. Although a mezzanine floor can look amazing and provides vital space, there are some things you should consider before you make your purchase as it is a big financial decision that needs sufficient planning.

1. Check building regulations
Although the majority of mezzanine floors do not alter the exterior building and therefore do not require planning permission, this is not always the case. Check you do not require planning permission before moving ahead with the project. The rules vary significantly depending on your area and what type of building you have, for example, if your building is attached to someone else’s building or if it’s a listed building. If you do not ask first whether you need permission and it ends up having to be removed, it will be costly for your business in both time and money. If you are in doubt, check with your local authority.

2. Available height
The main measurement you must make is whether your ceiling is high enough to accommodate a mezzanine floor.

3. Size
Take into account the size of the floor you want to install, the size of the room and the size of the items you want to place on the mezzanine flooring. If you do not consider all of these measurements now, you will not be creating a mezzanine floor that matches your exact needs and makes the most of the additional space you could be creating.

4. Purpose
Before you start your mezzanine project, make sure you know exactly what its purpose is going to be. If its office space or storage, it will have an impact on its design and also how much weight the flooring has to support. These are all key considerations at the design stage.

5. Design
There are many interesting things you can do when designing a mezzanine floor so ensure you make the most of the space available. For example, if you are using the floor as office space, you could incorporate storage or bookcases into the balustrade that prevents people from falling over the edge.

6. Fire Safety
If adding a mezzanine level makes your business a three story premises, you will need to consider additional fire doors which again need to be factored in at design stage.

7. Temperature
As heat rises, the mezzanine flooring is at risk of becoming very hot. This will potentially have an impact on what you are storing if it is temperature sensitive. Also, if you are using it as office or retail space, you will need to consider what additional measures you will have to invest in in order to ensure people do not get too warm. This includes fans or an air conditioning unit.

8. Accessibility
If you are using the mezzanine floor as storage, you need to ensure people can access the items with ease and without compromising their safety. You need to ensure a secure handrail is provided and people are not carrying big or heavy items down the stairs.

This checklist should not deter you from getting mezzanine flooring as it can provide amazing additional space. However, by considering the list above, you will ensure that you have considered exactly what you want to gain from the flooring, meaning you are getting the most value from your investment.

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

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.

Ways to keep your warehouse staff safe

Staff safety is always important no matter what the workplace, but when it comes to warehouse staff additional measures need to be made due to the increased risks that can be found here. Your staff are your most valuable asset, so you need to ensure they always feel safe whilst at work so that they can do the best job possible as well as make sure they understand the health and safety rules themselves to protect others. As well as health and safety being something required by law, if all measures are carried out correctly you will end up with a happier and more productive workforce. Here we discuss what some of the common risks are in warehouse situations and what measures you can put in place, if you haven’t already done so, to ensure staff remain safe at all times.

Thousands of incidents happen each year, with the severity of them varying dramatically. Some of the incidents include slips, trips, falls, being hit by moving vehicles or hurt by falling objects. All of these could potentially be avoided if all health and safety measures are strictly adhered to. Here are some of the ways you can prevent these from happening.

Provide regular breaks
Accidents are more likely to happen if your staff are feeling tired. Although this is not entirely under your control, by proving them with regular breaks it means that you are doing your part. Also, provide your workers with a dedicated staff room space for them to spend their breaks and lunchtimes. Having this specific area will allow them to wind down, relax and re-energise before they have to start work again. Having a separate space for staff to eat their lunch also ensures that no food or liquids enter the main part of the warehouse where it could cause spillages.

Never work alone
When planning the shifts and rotas, ensure that people in the warehouse always work in groups and never alone. If you only have one person in the warehouse and they slip or fall, they may not be found quickly enough for a serious injury to be avoided.

Be careful of moving vehicles
It is common to have slow moving vehicles throughout your warehouse, especially if you have pallet racking, however you need to be especially careful if you have moving vehicles, no matter how slow they are travelling. Always ensure they stick to the speed limit and that the speed limit is clear to everyone.

Ensure that all routes are clearly marked out on the floor so pedestrians know to avoid these areas, and make sure the routes are clear of any obstacles. Markings on the floor need to be maintained as they can fade over time, which can be dangerous. Use the markings to show a traffic flow system to avoid any collisions.

Regularly train your staff
It doesn’t matter if a member of staff has been there a week or 10 years, you need to provide regular training to refresh information. Although your staff may be experts who have done the job for years, there are still elements of the training that they may have forgotten, or they may have developed bad habits over time which you need to stop. You cannot rely on the more experienced members of staff to provide the only training new employees receive, as these bad habits may be unintentionally passed on.

Stay tidy
Always ensure the warehouse is tidy. Not only does this avoid people tripping over items that shouldn’t be there, but it also will make the warehouse run more efficiently. Make sure all members of staff are responsible for tidying up after themselves.

Use signage effectively
Always ensure there are signs located around the warehouse to show important information. As the warehouse evolves and grows, ensure the signs are always kept relevant. If some are now out of date, other more important signs could be ignored as staff are confused. Clear signs will also help visitors and people driving vehicles.

Provide proper working at height training
Sometimes its unavoidable and people will have to work from a height. Make sure staff are correctly trained for this and keep up to date with all the relevant regulations.

Always wear protective equipment
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should always be provided and worn at all times. Hard hats help reduce damage if anything falls from a height, high vis jackets ensure members of staff are easily seen. Other forms of PPE include safety shoes, eye protection and hearing protection. Ensure each individual has the correct equipment assigned to them as it will vary depending on the role they are undertaking.

Be prepared for a fire
Fires in warehouses can cause significant damage and quickly, destroying both your stock and equipment, and potentially putting your employees’ lives in danger. Fires are sometimes unavoidable so you need to be prepared for the worse. Ensure you have a plan in place for such an event occurring. Have fire exits and extinguishers clearly accessible and visible. Make sure there are no obstacles placed between the employees and the fire exits. Ensure there are a sufficient amount of fire wardens and hold fire drills on a regular basis.

Do safety checks regularly
Ensure there are regular checks on all of the equipment but also on your shelving and racking. Check for damage and repair when necessary. If the shelving or racking is becoming old, it can have fatal consequences. Make sure your shelving and racking is always repaired when damaged and replaced completely when its old.

These are just some of the ways in which you can protect your warehouse staff and ensure a safe working environment. 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.

Finding Extra Space in Small Warehouses

It is inevitable that as your business grows, you will find it a struggle to find sufficient space in a warehouse. Moving to larger premises with more space may seem like the next logical step, however this can be both an inconvenience and a huge expense. An alternative is to find extra space in your existing warehouse by considering innovative storage solutions which you may not have considered before. It can be surprising how a few small changes can make a large impact on the storage available, which will help your business continue to run smoothly and grow.

If you use your space efficiently and effectively, it can ensure your business can increase its productivity. Here are a few of our tips and solutions that you may want to try and consider.

Warehouse design
First of all, you should look at your existing warehouse plans. Looking at them closely, it may become obvious that you are not using all of your space effectively. Most warehouses evolve over time and can lead to adding bits here and there without looking at the entire design. Use a professional to help if you need it, as they can see potential space that you may be missing.

Increase floor space
You need to make sure you are getting the most out of your floor space, however existing floor space is not the only option. Consider the height of your warehouse and think about whether or not you are using all of this height to your advantage. If you are not, could you consider buying racking which can increase your storage significantly? If racking is not suitable but you desperately need floor space, could you look at having a mezzanine put in which will instantly provide you with valuable space.

Check where your inventory is placed
Always check to make sure the products in your warehouse are in the most logical place. Are the items which you need access to regularly easy to get to? Are any of your items seasonal? If so, do you ensure these non-seasonal items are out of the way and swapped over with the items you actually need? The main thing to remember is that a warehouse will usually change over time. What used to be a product you needed all the time may now not be. If this is the case, ensure you have changed the layouts around to reflect this. It will make the most of the space you have and also make your employees’ work easier, thus increasing productivity. Also, consider how much inventory you actually have to store in your warehouse. Are there any products you could buy in smaller batches?

Regularly tidy
This is an obvious one, but ensuring the warehouse is tidy will automatically make the most out of the space you have. Use signs and labels wherever possible to ensure all members of staff know exactly where everything is located.

Ask your staff
As good as it is to hire professionals when looking at a redesign, make sure you ask your staff as well. These are people who work there every day and know the warehouse the best. They will have valuable information about what they think works and doesn’t work which you will find helpful. They may also have some amazing ideas you hadn’t even considered before.

For more advice on storage solutions for your warehouse, we are here to help. At Logical Storage we have plenty of experience with helping businesses to move up rather than out. We offer a no obligation consultation where we can assess your individual needs and offer cost effective and practical solutions. Click here to find out more or alternatively call us on 0845 689 1300.

Shelving vs racking: what’s the difference?

Although some people may assume that shelving and racking are the same thing, for those in the warehouse industry it’s important to understand the difference and how they can both benefit your business. It is important for a business with warehouse facilities to understand these differences, so they know which option is best for them.

Shelving
Although shelving comes in many sizes, it is typically used for smaller goods which are easy to access by hand. If people are picking products individually by hand, shelves are often the best choice. Warehouse shelving is normally made from metal (or sometimes, but rarely wood). They can be a variety of heights and include any number of shelves on it that you require. Sometimes the shelves have a solid back, whilst others are an open design, depending on what the use of it is for.

Pallet racking
Pallet racks, on the other hand, tend to be designed for access by forklifts and other automated systems, rather than by hand. Racking solutions are generally a lot taller than shelves and therefore can be great for warehouses with enough height as it maximises the space available. Racking tends to be deeper than shelving as well. This makes it a great storing solution for pallets of smaller products or individual larger items.

They are produced from metal that is heavy duty due to the items they are storing, and are usually attached to the floor or walls for additional stability. Racking pallets tend to not have solid shelves (and sometimes no shelves at all) as it depends on what is being placed on them.

Racking is described as a structure of bars for holding a specific load. They are more open in design. Shelving however includes a solid slab which supports the products.

Which is right for you?
Does your business need shelves or racks? The answer 100% depends on what the product is that you’re storing and in what quantity. If you are storing smaller items that you need to be hand selected, shelving will probably be the best for you. If you are storing large quantities of products, racking will allow you to stack these products up on pallets.

You also have to remember that although some warehouses have either one storage solution or the other, you can have a combination of both pallet racking and shelving in different areas of your warehouse. This will allow you to optimise the space in your entire warehouse.

Here at Logical Storage, we can offer high quality racking inspections for your business and discuss your racking and shelving requirements. 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 are the benefits of Mezzanine Flooring?

Deriving from the Italian word “Mezzano” meaning middle, mezzanine flooring provides an additional level between the main floors of a building. As long as you have sufficient vertical space available, a mezzanine floor could be a viable and beneficial option for your company. Here are just a few of the benefits you can gain by investing in it.

It is low cost
In comparison to having an extension built to your premises, a mezzanine floor is a convenient and low cost alternative

No need for relocation
If you have exceeded capacity at your current premises, a common option is to relocate. This, however, has many issues and will involve not only the costs of moving but also the cost of finding an alternative, larger space. Installing mezzanine flooring a way around this.

Maximises work space
A mezzanine floor can potentially double the work area you currently have.

Adds space and storage
A mezzanine floor could almost double the work area you currently have. They also provide that extra storage space many companies want.

It adds value
Adding mezzanine flooring can add value to your property in the long run as you have added valuable extra space. The value it can add will vary depending on the type and size of flooring you have installed.

It is bespoke
There are many options to choose from as the floor will be adapted and made especially for you to match your individual needs.

It is multi-functional
Whether you need it for additional storage or offices, mezzanine flooring can be adapted to meet those requirements.

Fast construction
Compared to building work if you were to have an extension, the instalment of a mezzanine floor is relatively simple and therefore can be done quickly, meaning you will have additional space quicker than if you had to extend or relocate.

Causes minimum disruption
Due to how quick the structure can be put up; this also means the amount of disruption caused in the work place will be kept to minimum. This is an amazing benefit for companies as it means the business can continue to function as usual and at normal capacity whilst the floor is being built.

No planning permission required
Although you will still need to ensure the addition of the mezzanine flooring meets both the building and health and safety regulations, you do not require planning permission for the project to be carried out.

Uses wasted vertical space
A lot of warehouses include vertical space which is never used. Mezzanine flooring allows you to create more floor space and optimise the space used.

It is adaptable
As the flooring is built from a light weight steel structure, it is very flexible and can be adapted to almost any warehouse. It can also be taken down if necessary, which is beneficial for premises that you rent.

Integrates easily with warehouse systems
Mezzanine flooring will fit seamlessly into your working environment and can be integrated with other warehouse systems such as pallet racking or conveyor systems, which can improve the efficiency of your warehouse operations.

Here at Logical Storage we have plenty of experience with helping businesses to move up rather than out. We offer a no obligation consultation where we can assess your individual needs and offer cost effective and practical solutions. Click here to find out more or alternatively call us on 0845 689 1300.

Why your business needs to know about the Corporate Manslaughter Act

What is it?
The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 is a landmark in law. This legislation means that, for the first time, companies can be found guilty of corporate manslaughter if they have committed a duty of care breach.

The Act came into official force on 6th April 2008 and stated the liabilities of companies where serious health and safety failures have resulted in a fatality.

Before the Act came into action, it was necessary for a senior individual to embody the company and be found guilty of the offence. Now, a company or a group of management can be proven guilty instead of just one individual.

Proving an Offence
The following elements must be proven:
1.    The defendant must satisfy the classification for an organisation
2.    Proof that the organisation is responsible for the death of a person
3.    Proof that the organisation had a duty of care to the victim
4.    Proof that the organisation breached that duty of care

Why do you need to be aware of it?
The legislation does not apply to Armed Forces operations but means that all other organisations must be aware of this Act. Out of the remaining organisations, there will be some companies that are more at risk than others in terms of the probability of an accident occurring at work.

As an employer, it is essential to understand the laws surround this topic and how these changes may involve you making changes in the running of the company, in order to ensure the safety of your employees.

If your workplace has a warehouse which includes operating machinery, heavy equipment, high racking, etc then these places need to be checked securely and regularly as they will be deemed more high risk than other workplaces such as small offices.

Penalties can include fines and remedial orders. Large companies can expect to pay up to £10million, medium sized £4million and small businesses up to £1.6million. These all depend on the seriousness of the offence and the risk of harm the company created.

What can you do to help protect employees?
-    Evaluate all the health and safety risks
-    Always keep health and safety management systems under review
-    Ensure communication regarding health and safety is filtered down through the company
-    Know how to identify and manage health and safety risks
-    Provide high quality training
-    Need to make health and safety an integral part of the company’s culture
-    Carry our regular risk assessments. After identifying hazards, rectify them by:

• Ensuring any damage is repaired. For warehouses with significant storage ensure all racking is secure and undamaged.
• Ensuring any shelving does not exceed the recommend weight
• Ensuring your workplace has floor markings where necessary
• Ensuring your workplace has the correct signage
• Making sure your workplace has easy access and location of emergency exits
• Ensuring all equipment is stored away correctly and nothing left on the floor or in the wrong place which could cause harm.

Logical Storage is highly skilled in spotting the often hard-to-find signs of racking damage. 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.