4 Material Handling Best Practices Every Warehouse Should Follow
The supply chain is the backbone of nearly every industry, which is why warehouses strive to be as safe and efficient as possible. Fortunately, by using high-performance equipment and following industry best practices, warehouse teams can prioritize safety and stay on schedule.
Here are four best practices that every warehouse team should follow.
Prioritize Safety Training
Safety is the foundation of every warehouse, which is why consistent
and thorough safety training should be the first step when onboarding
new team members. When warehouses are operating safely, it’s easier to
stay on schedule and organized. However, the most important reason to
prioritize safety is to prevent workplace injuries.
Great safety training should ensure that team members:
- Understand the safety features of their hand trucks and other material handling equipment
- Use proper lifting techniques
- Wear personal protective equipment
- Know the importance of keeping floors clean, clear, and dry.
Choose Easy-to-Maintain Equipment
Material handling tools are the backbone of smooth, efficient warehouse
operation, which is why choosing the right equipment makes all the
difference. When choosing a hand cart or another essential piece of equipment, look for durable materials and modular designs.
When equipping your warehouse with a new fleet of hand carts, choose models built with lightweight, aircraft-grade aluminum. This quality material delivers an impressive strength-to-weight capacity while being rust- and corrosion-resistant. While durable materials ensure your warehouse equipment is built to last, choosing modular hand carts makes it easy to upgrade your equipment with new features and perform routine repairs and maintenance.
Optimize Your Warehouse Layout
A well-organized floor plan makes all the difference when receiving shipments, organizing storage spaces, and creating efficient shipping procedures. A warehouse's layout should be designed with the flow of materials in mind to keep procedures running smoothly.
Inventory should be strategically organized so frequently used items are easily accessible, and aisles should be easy to keep clear and clean. With a layout that improves efficiency, it’s easier for warehouse teams to stay safe and on schedule.
Listen to Team Feedback
Safe and efficient warehouses rely on standardized procedures, but
there’s always room for improvement. Warehouses can quickly address
concerns and improve operations by giving team members opportunities to
give feedback on daily operations and big-picture issues. Weekly team
meetings, an anonymous suggestion form, and regular one-on-one meetings
are great ways to make sure each team member feels heard and to find
ways to improve operations.
A team member might suggest a more
efficient way to receive shipments or identify a safety concern that
went unnoticed. Or someone on the team might realize that a convertible
hand dolly that transforms from a two-wheel hand truck to a platform
truck would make receiving and organizing bulky shipments easier. Team
feedback can improve warehouses in countless ways, from resolving safety
concerns to finding new equipment.
With these four best practices, warehouse teams can stay safe, efficient, and on schedule.
About Magline
For
over 75 years, Magliner moving equipment has raised the bar for the
material handling industry. With cutting-edge designs, industry-specific
models, and innovative safety features, Magline manufactures route
distribution tools and material handling solutions that make life
easier. With the right tools for any job, it’s easy to boost efficiency
and safety. Whether your full-service moving company needs a new hand dolly
or your big box retail store needs a fleet of new hand carts, Magliner
equipment has you covered. These tools are built to last, but the unique
modular design of Magliner equipment makes routine repairs and
maintenance easy and efficient. With tailored tools, high-quality
construction, and constant innovation, it’s easy to see how Magliner
equipment rises to and exceeds the needs of countless industries.
See why warehouse managers trust Magliner equipment at https://www.magliner.com/