It’s always busy when you operate a warehouses or DC, but as noted philosopher Ferris Bueller once said, “life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” The same applies to your facility and specifically its pallet racks. A good way to ensure they’re being used correctly and safely is to stop and look around once in a while. In that spirit, let’s touch on some things to examine in your warehouse rack operation.
Tags: Walking Around, Warehouse Management, pallet racking, warehouse productivity, rack safety, Inspections
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
It’s been a sudden transition: many forklifts no longer use flashing strobe or beacon lights and have transitioned to LED “blue light” forklift safety lights that project on the floor rather than flash on the forklift itself. Workers have never liked an excess of flashing lights, but to some extent this is because companies aren’t deploying the beacon lights for the right application. LED floor lights are true warning systems, while beacons are visibility enhancements for already visible trucks.
Why do warehouse workers prefer LED systems?
Posted in Forklift - Pedestrian Safety|
Install Gravity conveyors on declines so that the infeed side sits higher than the end of the line for smooth product flow. Â This is one of the easiest ways to move products quickly and economically. How can you set up your gravity conveyor for optimal product flow?
Tags: Roller Conveyors, shipping docks, skate wheel conveyors
Posted in Conveyor Optimization|
You’ve heard this pitch before: If you just implement this software, or that machinery, or hire my consultant, or buy into this other program, you’ll realize amazing gains. You’ll be more productive; more accurate; you’ll work less hours. Things will be great.
You may really need to expand your facility, or install expensive new WMS software or add high levels of automation, but it’s always worth checking on process or facility layout changes before you take the plunge. What are some areas you should consider?
Tags: 3PL, distribution systems, Third Party Logistics, KPI, warehouse performance, Process Management, ecommerce
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
Forklifts dominate OSHA’s annual list of safety violations, so it’s no mystery why industrial companies are always searching for ways to improve safety.
Safety-conscious operations are integrating safety lights and sensors to help reduce pedestrian/forklift accidents. These systems usually detect traffic (people and forklifts), and then deploy visual and/or audible warnings to the driver, the pedestrian, or both. When it comes to visual warnings, some are ceiling-hung, others at eye level, and others are shot onto the floor. What placement works best, and why?
Posted in Forklift - Pedestrian Safety|
Years ago, during a busy time at one of our warehouses, an intruder entered our building through an open dock door and proceeded to steal things from some offices. Thankfully, nobody was harmed and nothing was really lost, but the incident underlined the need to control access to our facility while still letting fresh Spring air flow. To prevent intrusions and still allow easy access, there are some options for warehouses and manufacturing facilities with large dock doors.
Since 87% of warehouse inventory losses occur at warehouses and shipping yards, dock doors – and the way they are guarded – play a critical role in overall security.
Tags: security
Posted in Docks & Shipping|
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has long required that pallet rack flue space remain clear at all times so that any fires can vent upward rather than outward, allowing sprinkler systems to activate faster. This vertical rise also helps slow fire spreading horizontally through a rack system. Flue space compliance is increasingly important to insurers and operators of warehouses and other industrial facilities. What can you do to help reduce issues with flue space obstruction?
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
Light-directed picking is the heavyweight champion when it comes to productivity gains, order picking speed, increased accuracy, and ease of operator development.
Because it’s 100% hands-free and requires no headpiece, it’s also highly flexible for many challenging fulfillment operations. We’ve compiled ten ways to analyze your operation to determine if these systems would be a fit for you. Obviously, more specific information will be needed, but this should get you started.
We spoke with Lightning Pick’s Dave Broadfoot about the best ways to ensure you are making a good pick-to-light decision.
Tags: Order Picking & Fulfillment, pick to light, 10 tips, ROI
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
You see them all over the place in warehouses these days – the ubiquitous blue forklift light gliding over the floor ahead of or behind a lift truck as it winds its way between rack rows, down aisles, across docks, and out of trailers. AÂ wide variety of choices are available, including many inexpensive imports with a bewildering number of dense specifications. How can you tell the difference?
Let’s break down the ways you can avoid the “bargain” light that could cost you plenty.
Tags: forklift safety, dock safety, warehouse accidents, lights, spotlights
Posted in Forklift - Pedestrian Safety|
Above: SAS Automation standardized bag-gripper
Palletizing is a standard material handling application for industrial robots, and bag palletizing is one of the most typical applications. Why? Because bag palletizing is simpler and easier than case palletizing. If your operation requires bag stacking/pallet loading – and you want to improve speed, reduce mistakes, and create a more ergonomic system, here are the things you need to know.
Tags: labor, ergonomics, Robotics
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
