Managing warehouse productivity means keeping machinery busy and accident-free. Especially avoiding the risks and costs of collision. Here are four vital warehouse safety ideas, including the best use of column protectors.
By studying the work patterns of high-performing warehouse operations, and the accident records of the not so successful ones, it’s possible to see the most effective safeguarding methods for internal and external traffic.
Naturally, this includes taking steps to shield pillars, columns, beams and any other structural features that pose a serious risk. Making column protectors top of every must-have list for warehouses.
Installing high-vis protectors on columns can seem like a great quick fix. However, some column protection products don’t measure up to their role, and can badly let you down.
The way they are designed matters, but also the materials used in their construction. Plus, how they are installed and where is crucial. Though warehouse traffic safety starts with vehicle pathway planning.
Here we dig deeper into four things to consider for warehouse traffic safety, to optimise column protectors.
What type of column protectors are best for your warehouse?
Finding the leading supplier of column protection products should include sourcing a company that provides insightful advice on warehouse safety. Including the specific types of protection materials that suit your layout and operations.
These can’t be solely specified on the basis of creating a warning for drivers and machine operators. Column proctors are preventative, but should also stand up to a substantial amount of force. So, they must be crafted from impact absorbent materials, and designed in shapes that minimise damage to both your structures and equipment.
Also, space matters. Some column protectors are specifically designed to have a minimal footprint. Yet, they still meet H&S standards and avoid costly damage.
Versatile, easy to stack PolyWRAP Column protectors are ideal for internal or external use, using a clamshell fixing method to offer instant shielding on warehouse structures. The force absorbent cores are moulded from high-performance recyclable polyethene.
This industry-respected column protection range also includes PolyWRAP Spacesaver options. These slim-fitting, easy to install protectors are ideal for mezzanine columns where every inch counts.
Positioning of column protectors
The products mentioned above involve no structural alterations or drilling to install, and they are available in multiple sizes and configurations, to fit around diverse uprights.
They are also a low-cost warehouse traffic safety measure. This opens the way for installing column protectors freely on all pillars and other risk points. Though focusing on areas of heavy vehicle traffic is infinitely sensible, of course.
Cost is an important consideration though. You will pay more for heavy-duty protectors or complex column shielding options, for locations and structures where a collision could mean disaster. Get some insider advice on best-fit products, to spread your budget efficiently.
Consider a metal fork impact skirt
The best performing column protectors are often crafted from strong and durable polyurethane. However, there are situations when steel skirting is needed to shield columns from either a forceful blow or multiple incursions. This could be at major openings in your warehouse, or along the routes that off-road vehicles like forklifts travel at speed, with heavy loads.
You can add our PolyWRAP Fork Impact Skirt to any column protector from the range, including the space-saving PolyWRAP impact absorbers.
Available in three sizes, this 140mm high column skirt can create a crucial safety barrier, where a glancing blow could send racking, roofs and other debris crashing down.
Mapping warehouse traffic movement
Doing a thorough risk assessment of your warehouse means charting the exact locations and likely routes that your vehicles and machinery will use. Though of course, this may well need to be updated regularly as storage, picking and loading patterns change.
Due diligence in keeping your traffic safety measures up to date is the only way to confidently protect your staff, machinery, structures and productivity. One amendment in your warehouse operations can leave a pillar vulnerable – or put pedestrians in the path of warehouse traffic. Undoing all your previous H&S work.
Who puts your traffic safety on firm foundations?
Keep the contact details of Safety Industrial handy, so you can get deliveries of new column protectors or other traffic management products swiftly!
We would also be pleased to provide more advice on products to streamline warehouse operations. and keep you H&S compliant. Including the latest high-quality column protectors to create the best fit for your premises and budget.