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Warehousing Mistakes to Avoid

8 Areas to Focus On to Promote Safety

Warehousing is a complex and oftentimes dangerous operation. There are many common warehousing mistakes that can keep things from running efficiently, which is why managers and facility engineers should consider the following common mistakes. Avoiding them in the warehouse can spare employers and their employees costly and dangerous errors.

1. Inventory Inaccuracies

It goes without saying that keeping an accurate inventory in the warehouse is crucial, but inaccurate counts are still a common warehousing mistake. To improve the accuracy of your counts, utilize a warehouse management system (WMS) or warehouse execution system (WES), and have a proper plan in place.

When different parts are stored in different places in the warehouse, maintaining an accurate inventory is difficult. With proper planning and software tools, you can ensure that inventory inaccuracies are a thing of the past.

2. Failing to Optimize Picking Paths

You want your warehouse employees to be able to work as efficiently as possible. This helps ensure safety and profitability. So don’t make the mistake of having an ineffective picking path. Use analytics and a software package to simplify the process of designing your picking path.

3. Using Paper Processes

Relying on manual paper processes is still a common mistake in today’s technology-driven world. These processes are slow and prone to mistakes.

Automated processes can eliminate mistakes and increase efficiency. To improve operator efficiencies, consider newer warehouse picking technologies, such as pick-to-voice (PTV), pick-to-light (PTL), and augmented reality (AR).

4. Failing to be Ready for the Future

Your company must grow and evolve with the world around you. New technologies should be considered and accounted for, and managers should ask themselves how they see their company expanding and changing to keep up.

A consultant can help you analyze your data and processes, outline your goals and objectives, and make a plan to get to those goals.

5. Lack of Proper Staff Development and Training

Turnover is a challenge for many companies. When an employee leaves a company, there is a significant cost to that company, both in finances and efficiency.

Employees leave for many different reasons, but if you know the most common ones, you can account for them and cut down on turnover. Provide your employees with proper training and development opportunities to keep them fulfilled and happy at your company.

6. Ineffective Facility Layout

A poor layout can affect your company’s productivity immensely. Adequate space should be given to all operations, and flows within the warehouse should be properly assessed. Seek assistance in designing your facility if necessary, as this will prevent many future mistakes in the warehouse.

7. Poor Safety Policies

The importance of safety in the warehouse cannot be understated. Failure to maintain a safe working environment is a costly mistake. Make sure your employees receive proper safety training and that they are prepared against any hazards they may encounter on the job.

8. A Lack of Housekeeping

A clean warehouse is a warehouse that runs well. A dirty warehouse creates unnecessary safety hazards for your employees and can also result in lack of pride in your company. It is worth the extra time to maintain a clean space.

Avoiding Warehouse Mistakes Takes Proper Planning

Planning ahead to avoid these common warehousing mistakes will make you and your staff much happier and more efficient.

For more information on how you can prevent employee injuries with the proper equipment, check out 4 Workplace Injuries That Heavy Lifting Equipment Can Prevent. Or to learn about how a customized hydraulic lift from PFlow can make your warehouse more efficient, contact us today.

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