Tips for Keeping Your Storage Area Organized
In any business or workplace, there is almost always a storage zone independent from production. Typically, storage in manufacturing environments could come with specific purposes. In production plants, retail and wholesale business, transport and many other industries, storage systems are in place to ensure order in the area. With the variety of activities in such establishments, one can just imagine that this could be a place of clutter, disorder and danger. Understandable, yes, because of the absence of storage organization.
In this article, we are going to discuss the best ideas for keeping the storage area in order. This will focus on the warehouse, the common problems with storage and how to ensure that the area is organized.
Now, there is a big, big difference between tidying up one’s home, office or small business compared to a warehouse. It’s important to understand now that with smaller spaces, absence of large equipment and materials, and many fewer people involved, storage organization would be quick to achieve. However, a warehouse is a different matter altogether as it involves much larger space, varied mechanical equipment and more people. Then there’s the enormous amount of stuff that needs to be arranged. This being said, we can clearly see the picture of hazards in the warehouse that must be considered when organizing this space.
When organization is achieved, warehouse operations and routines may prove to be much more efficient. It’s less laborious to the workforce, and there are many fewer risks for accidents. The processes in the warehouse become quick and easier for everyone.
So what are the tips for keeping your warehouse storage area organized?
Contents
Label and group products
One would think that a general cleanup would be the first step, but no, it’s not. When you aim to get a large amount of stuff arranged, it’s best that everything is labeled for proper identification. Once done, all the things that go together should be grouped. For example, raw materials should be gathered up in one place, packed properly and then labeled. This goes the same with finished products, tools, employee garments that are not yet used, etc. Everything should go to certain groups and be properly identified. To do this, you would need specially designed tapes to mark a certain group. These tapes could be applied to floors, walls, shelves, etc. These adhesives come in different colors that could help differentiate one type of stored items from the other. It will be much quicker to find products compared to going around the whole area finding a single tool or product. No more running around and bumping into roadblocks; everything around the warehouse is identified!
Clean up the area
When everything has been labeled and packed accordingly, it’s time to clean up the warehouse. Yes, this means mopping the floor clean, dusting off stacks and shelves, maybe repainting walls and getting the lighting and ventilation systems upgraded. Then hazards should be eliminated, as this is essential to getting the area cleaned. Apart from making sure that the floor, walls, racks, pallets and everything else is clean and in the desired safe state, take down everything that poses risks. This means fixing cracks on floors and walls, taking out fire hazards, and checking out handrails, ramps and stairs.
Put up demarcation lines
Once grouped, the best step forward is to establish one area as the “site” for certain cluster. For example, all the unused materials that are not yet set for production will go to the location where they could be easily retrieved when production is set. To avoid wrong picking of anything from that group, a floor marker or tape could go around the whole vicinity. This will let employees know that the specific area is solely for raw materials. The floor tapes are very helpful as well in sending the clear message that an area is designated for storage of damaged tools or equipment that needs repair. One good option for setting up demarcation lines would be the corner tapes to emphasize where an area begins and ends.
Stack properly
In warehouses, items and boxes or crates must be stacked vertically. Given that the products are not appliances, electronics and other delicate items, vertical stacking warrants order and neatness in the warehouse. More so, it is a space-saving measure and allows ease in stacking and retrieving the products or items. This goes well, too, with other stored things like tools, equipment, employees’ protective clothing and gears, and other things needed at work.
Keep the aisles, paths and ramps clear
As in any workplace, there should be sufficient space for vehicles and employees that travel through the warehouse. Such areas must be properly identified and marked to ensure safety. Accidents are best avoided when there are specific signs on the floor, walls, ramps, and the entrances and exits. There are specially designed tapes that serve as guides to the workers. For example, there are footprint floor stickers and arrow signs to lead workers in a certain direction. There are also specific symbols commonly used in work areas to let people know where there are stairs, ramps, emergency exits, etc.
Have all the safety signs in place
There are so many hazards in warehouses that lead to accidents, injuries and damage of the stored items. This could be avoided when all the necessary safety signs are put up. There are specially designed markers and safety tapes that would help eliminate the dangers and maintain order in the warehouse. For example, signs indicating certain areas are slippery, cautionary stickers and tapes, and warning adhesive signs against fire, fall and slips.
So there you have it… all the best tips for getting your warehouse storage area organized. It can be achieved completely when the whole workforce keeps in mind that the move is about growth and about having a more organized flow in day-to-day routines. It should be further emphasized that there will be fewer risks and potential health threats to the well-being of the employees.
Additional Resources
- Creating an Effective Warehouse Storage Numbering System with Barcodes– creativesafetysupply.com
- Safe Stacking and Storage in the Warehouse– safetyblognews.com
- Types of Floor Marking Tapes for Warehouses– babelplex.com
- 5s your area with Aisle Marking Tape– aislemarking.com
- Tool Storage Foam Organizers– blog.5stoday.com
- 5 Workplace Safety Tips– blog.creativesafetysupply.com
- Floor Marking Tips– floor-marking-tape.com
- A Simple Guide for Tool Storage– blog.toolfoamsupply.com
- Keeping Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Clean– creativesafetypublishing.com