Tag Archive for: safety

Engineering-Permitting-Turnkey

The idea of climbing a mountain alone sounds daunting: Do you have the right supplies? Do you have enough endurance? What happens when the weather changes?

While managing a warehouse transition may not be as personally perilous as climbing a mountain, there are similarities in both requiring ample planning, preparation, and the ability to adapt as conditions change. They also have another thing in common: they become a heck of a lot easier if you have someone with experience there to guide you.

As part of our Turnkey Solutions, we offer our clients peace of mind by providing oversight for each component of a project. Our team of Project Managers and Project Coordinators consider project management, safety checkpoints, installation progress, permitting, and logistics with every partner across the country. We are in constant communication to ensure your entire project is delivered with the flexibility to change as things may change along the way.

Engineering a Solution with a Single Point of Contact

Our project managers’ relationship with your project begins before you even meet them. They are the team members who are running estimations on parts and equipment, finding the best solutions required to install each stage of the project. They are also working with our designers on preliminary engineering and design. In our world, engineering and design go hand-in-hand. Why not have a single person who knows the ins and outs of both?

Time and again, we hear from our clients how vital our turnkey solutions are to the success of a project. These project managers give our clients more command and control over projects because we know the status of all projects at any given time. Projects are delivered on time because our team has overseen hundreds of buildouts and understand how to anticipate the unexpected. Projects are delivered on budget because we are proactively managing potential hurdles along the way before they turn into costly change orders.

We know that coordinating vendors at your site is a challenging piece of the construction puzzle, but it is one piece that we know gets solved with anticipation, organization, and active communication with all stakeholders.

Navigating the Permitting Maze

Once a proposal becomes a project, our team has already begun creating a permit package, which acts as a roadmap of all the boxes that need to be checked along your project’s lifecycle. There we identify all the requirements, including fire codes, storage permits, structural permits, documents required for the Department of Homeland Security, and so much more.

Depending on the region, navigating the permitting portion of a project could be its own fulltime job. However, because we have worked with a wide variety of municipalities across the nation, our team learns, grows, and shares information on best practices on each project. For example, we understand how important each detail is in drawing submissions, which helps to eliminate unnecessary laps between the regulator and us. Because we spend so much time at the front of the process getting those details correct, the rest of the project can run as smoothly as possible.

Make the Best Use of Your Time

And what is the opportunity cost of doing all the permitting yourself? Do you call the building department or the city planner? What are the fire codes? Is the area under construction part of a seismic zone? When you are stuck on the phone trying to call around to find these answers – and figure out if these are the only questions you need to ask – you are spending valuable time that could be used on tasks more closely associated with your jobs. The Storage Solutions team already knows what questions to ask, whom to ask those questions to, and how to get the answers to the appropriate party. It is the Storage Solutions difference.

Let’s Get Started

Decisions typically come down to the value of your time. Because we are a trusted partner to our clients, we understand the intimate details of each proposal and have a head start on what is needed to get the project done. Our team is ready to get started and learn more about your upcoming project, whether it is a new building, a renovation project, or a relocation/removal situation. Call us today at 800.474.2001 or contact us here to speak with a Storage Solutions expert!

Employee Separation Panels - Wirecrafters

The COVID-19 crisis has impacted nearly every organization and operation in some way, shape, or form. However, companies are finding innovative ways to keep their business on track amidst the disruption. One such innovation is the development of employee separation panels, which offer a degree of safety and peace of mind among employees who are required to work within six feet of each other.

Our partners at Wirecrafters are deploying two options for these portable safety mechanisms: a standard separation panel and a heavy-duty separation panel. Both options are similar size – 6’ tall x 4’ wide – and feature a clear, 1/8”-thick polycarbonate window to maintain sightlines in the warehouse. The heavy-duty version’s window essentially extends from the top of the panel to the floor, while the standard version’s window shields the top 3’ of the panel.

Both products can be assembled with casters on the bottom, allowing for mobility and flexibility to meet the needs of your warehouse workers. These clear, portable panels can move from workstation to workstation to give employees a level of safety and protection against human-to-human contact.

While there is no accurate timetable for the lifting of social distancing requirements, these panels can act as a safety measure to keep your employees safe and productive while in your facility. By introducing these panels, warehouse managers can avoid disruptions ranging from employees feeling uncomfortable around one another to missing work because they may have contracted an illness.

In addition, investments in these panels will continue to pay off after the COVID-19 crisis has ended. There is always another flu or cold season around the corner, and these tools may be able to play a role in limiting the spread

If these unique solutions are of interest to you, we would love to connect and work with you to support wellness in your workforce. Contact us today and let us work with you to find a safety solution tailored to suit your needs.

Driver Cages Building Access Cages

While safety is always on the minds of warehouse managers, crises can trigger an evaluation of your practices. Who can access your facility? How easy is it to get in and out? How are you controlling your visitor access?

The COVID-19 crisis sweeping the world is causing much re-evaluation of safety protocols within warehouses. Our Storage Solutions experts have been recommending the installation of building access and driver cages at the entry points of warehouses across the country because they are a simple, smart, and strategic way to control access to facilities, creating an additional level of security to prevent unnecessary contact and the potential introduction of unwanted pathogens into a building.

driver-cagesBuilding Access Cages Are Adaptable

While these cages are customizable to suit your needs – they can be ordered in any size and can even be constructed as free-standing entities – typical cages offer the security of restricting full access to your facility while still allowing some level of visitor interaction through service windows. The service windows are ideal for exchanging small package deliveries and paperwork.

Give Your Team Control Over Who Can Access Your Facilities

building-access-cagesStandard cages are equipped with a push bar on the warehouse side of the enclosure to allow for visitor access when required. There are also coded push-button locks, and remote control latches available as well. This way, you can allow truck drivers or other visitors into your facility if they need to. If they don’t need to be in there, they are restricted to a defined area. There are also accessories available, such as benches, that you can install to keep your visitors comfortable until they are addressed, and cage ceilings if additional security is required.

Increase Safety After the Pandemic

wirecrafters-cagesAlthough managers are currently concerned about “flattening the curve” and containing the virus, these cages have untold benefits for as long as your warehouse is operating. Warehouse visitors are often not aware of how busy operations can be, how loud they can be, and how easily they can be introducing themselves into safety hazards. Fork truck traffic and automated machinery rely on clear paths and can cause immense harm if accidents occur.

There’s Never Been a Better Time to Think About Safety

By installing building access and driver cages, you are not only protecting your team and everything within the warehouse; you are protecting visitors from disrupting your business and potentially causing themselves harm.

Let’s face it: every facility can be safer. A time like this makes a perfect opportunity to make a minimal investment with a sizeable impact.

We work with the experts at WireCrafters to ensure that our partners’ warehouses are outfitted with exceptional quality solutions. Contact one of our Storage Solutions experts to learn more about these cages and take a natural step to make your facility safe and secure.

Keep your warehouse safe

As National Safety Month comes to an end, we want to take some time to highlight warehouse safety. Although it’s a focus for us every June, keeping your facility protected is a year-round ordeal. Here are just a few ways you can keep your warehouse safe and secure.

Self-Safety Audit

The biggest assets in your facility are your people. Overall, keeping your facility safe for the employees in it is of paramount importance. In order to do that, you have to cover all your bases. With our warehouse safety checklist you can determine areas for improvement to ensure optimal safety for your team.

Another more overlooked aspect of employee safety is ergonomics. Whether in the office or warehouse, there are many ways to ensure that your employees are comfortable. By doing things like putting high volume pick items at mid-level and utilizing some automation, you can assist in decreasing long-term employee health problems.

Safety Products & Solutions

Safety also pertains to keeping your equipment in working shape, which is why it is important to invest in the right tools to fortify your material. Adding safety equipment to your facility will not only protect your investment, but it will also, in turn, keep your employees safe as they will be working around stable material. We offer a wide variety of equipment and services to make your warehouse as safe as possible.

When dealing with workplace safety, there are no cutting corners, it’s the most important part of building up your facility. Whether that means investing in material to fortify your equipment, or for keeping up with workplace ergonomics to keep employees comfortable, workplace safety always comes first. Contact us to talk about ways we can help you wrap up National Safety Month successfully!

Workplace Productivity Increase with Ergonomics

We often examine the positive effects an efficient warehouse design can have on your operation, but what does it mean for your employees? When it comes to warehouse productivity, one of the main components of keeping your facility moving is keeping employees safe. Taking small adjustments into account when setting up your warehouse can be huge for your employees in the long run.

Warehouse Ergonomics

Part of keeping your employees safe is keeping them comfortable. One way to do this is by storing items at the optimal level to reduce strain on pickers. Along with keeping items at a certain level, another aspect of warehouse ergonomics is keeping highly selected items around the same area to lower foot traffic in the facility.

Another way to keep your employees in good health is to integrate some type of automation within your facility. Automation will help you decrease the foot traffic needed to transport goods to all parts of your warehouse. Less exertion means fewer ergonomic issues down the line, helping you keep your staff healthy and comfortable. This will also assist with your overall warehouse productivity as well, which makes it an all-around win.

How We Can Help?

When it comes to keeping high pick volume items in the same area, we offer our newest service, Smart Slotting. This inventory slotting tool takes all of the data provided, such as picking and replenishment rates for different SKUs, and will give you the blueprint to optimize your space and help cut down on unnecessary movement around your facility.

Another way to support ergonomics is through automation. We offer a variety of dynamic solutions that can help with cutting down strenuous movement and wasted time. This includes powered conveyor to move items with ease throughout the facility, and Vertical Lift Machines (VLMs) to allow for fast and ergonomic picking with almost no walking being required.

Another dynamic solution we offer is Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). AMRs give your employees the ability to stay in one area to work as opposed to moving around the facility. This keeps employees out of the way off forklifts and other machinery moving throughout the warehouse.

Want to learn more about how we can help you keep your facility safe and productive? Click here for more information on our Dynamic Solutions.

SSI Turnkey Solutions

You’ve heard us talk about our turnkey solutions, but some people may wonder what exactly we mean by that. To us, it means we want to be your one stop shop for anything and everything your project needs. When you contact Storage Solutions to begin the process of completing your warehouse project, our goal is to be the only vendor you need to contact. We have a great team in place to assist with everything from products and install, to your final inspection.

At the forefront of our turnkey solutions is our project management offering. When you work with our team you will be assigned a project manager who will be with you from start to finish. They will provide you with a project schedule and will hold regular calls to update you each step of the way. Their main goal is that everything stays on time and on budget, while keeping our customer happy.

Along with a project manager, we also offer several other turnkey solutions. These include installation, safety audits, permitting and logistics. Learn more details about each of these turnkey solutions here. Let us help with your next project by offering you a solution for every square foot and a helping hand each step of the way.

Ergonomically Friendly Workplace

For National Safety Month, our goal is to touch upon all aspects of workplace safety. One that goes unnoticed is having an ergonomically friendly work environment.

An ergonomic work environment keeps employees comfortable and less prone to injury in the long run. Here are some of the small changes you can implement in your workplace to make it more ergonomically friendly for your employees.

Encourage Employees to Move Around

Being in one spot for a prolonged amount of time is detrimental to anyone’s health. By encouraging employees to take a short break every couple hours, this will actually make them more productive. By keeping the body active, employees are able to keep their minds active as well.

Finding Natural Posture

Being aware of posture is a small, yet effective way to maintain long-term health for your employees. Sitting up straight primes you for a relaxing walk on breaks, whereas walking after sitting in a slumped position does the exact opposite, and drains you even more. Keeping your back straight and upright will be more comfortable in the long run and make you feel more rested throughout the day.

Screen, Keyboard & Mouse Placement

Keeping your screen at an appropriate level reduces the strain on your neck. If you can anchor your screen in the middle of your field of vision, you do not need to tilt your head as much and strain your neck. Having your keyboard on a level surface, such as a desk, and at a position that keeps your wrists level, will not only improve comfortability but will also reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.

How do you keep your workplace ergonomically friendly? Let us know your tips as well!

Used Equipment Safety

When buying used equipment, sometimes you’re not 100 percent sure what you are going to get. At Storage Solutions, our purchasing team has a system to make sure all the equipment we buy and re-sell is up to par with industry standards. The goal of used equipment sales is to be able to get you quality material at a fraction of the price while saving you the headaches of subpar equipment.

First and foremost, we want to ensure that the equipment we sell to you will be functional. We grade each piece of used material, and if it does not get a passing grade from our team, we will send it to be scrapped. If it is not good enough to use in our warehouse, we don’t expect it to be good enough for yours!

Certified Used Program

We also want to make sure the equipment is built to last. While equipment may be functional in the short term, we want to make sure that whatever we sell you is in it for the long haul. Our hope is to get you equipment that lasts for the entirety of your project, not just work as a bridge until you get better material.

Quality equipment is safe equipment. For that reason, we will only sell you used equipment that is up to par with our standards.

Do you have equipment that you want to sell? Contact our purchasing team today! If you want to buy used equipment, you can click here to learn more!

General Warehouse Safety Tips

Safety is a critical part of any facility and some consider it one of the most important aspects that a company should focus on. June is National Safety Month, and to recognize it, we created a summary of warehouse safety tips that no facility should be without.

Want to learn more about our safety tips? Click here to download our full warehouse safety checklist!

EMPLOYEE SAFETY

Employees are the greatest asset to any facility, in order to protect that asset, it is imperative to abide by safety protocol. Employees should fully understand dress code and, if not, ask their manager to be clear.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be readily available to the worker, depending on the type of work being done. Safety glasses will protect workers from anything in the air that could potentially harm their eyes. Hardhats are another PPE that are typically worn when there is a risk of debris falling from above, or when working at elevated levels. Closed-toed shoes are almost always a must to be worn so that feet are fully protected. Hardhats, safety vests and safety glasses are just a few PPE’s in the workplace that helps to protect an employee from danger.

EQUIPMENT & MATERIAL

Safe material handling keeps a warehouse running smoothly. You can protect your material with the right safety equipment, (end of aisle guards, guardrail, column protectors, etc.) and by establishing material handling best practices.

It is important to ensure that all employees are properly trained on stacking material on high shelves, platforms or in high stacks. Have them keep heavy objects at the bottom and stacked neatly so items do not shift. Not stacking material correctly may heighten the risk of an accident to occur.

FORKLIFTS

Before every shift, make sure that your forklifts are not only operational, but shielded to keep the driver out of harm’s way from falling material. Operators should also be conscious of their own safety as well as others by making sure to always wear a seat belt, testing the warning systems, keeping a safe distance from other operators and honking when making a turn or approaching an opening.

2018 Kickoff

As we roll into 2018, we at Storage Solutions are excited to begin another successful year. With our experience and all of our great partners, we have no doubts that we are in a great place to help you achieve your annual goals. We are ecstatic to serve you this year, so let’s look at the ways that we can assist you!

Storage Solutions is a leading equipment and material handling partner, so we are always here to provide you with new and used equipment. We are also more than happy to buy your old equipment. Our dedicated purchasing team is a great resource to help you make money off your unused material.

With their decades of experience, our in-house Design & Solutions Development team will make the best solution for you to make sure that your facility is running at optimal efficiency. Click here for some examples of our solutions development work.

As your material handling partner, we want to work with you every step of the way through your project. We’re here for all your needs, from the permitting and safety side to logistics and installation. Take a look at our warehouse services page and see for yourself what we can provide you with.

Above all, we would like to thank you for being our partner in the past, present, and future. As we approach our 40th anniversary this July, we would like to say thank you; without you none of what we do is possible. We are excited about 2018 and all the opportunities it brings to serve you. Contact us today to get started!