Safeguard Workers with Warehouse Technology

Warehouse working conditions come with their own sets of unique dangers, including

• Trips
• Falls
• Slips
• Excessive manual labor
• Chemical spills
• Hazardous materials
• Unexpected falling objects
• Forklift accidents
• Equipment failure
• Small spaces
• Electrical and fire hazards
• Excessive noise
• Ergonomic problems

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1,095 workplace fatalities occurred among full-time workers in the transportation and warehousing sector in 2022, a 6.4% increase over the number of recorded fatalities in 2021 and a 23% increase over those recorded in 2020.

Evolving technology provides a solution to better warehouse safety. Yet, according to Business Wire, more than 80% of warehouses today do not have automation in place designed to handle the repetitive and hazardous tasks that often lead to injury.

In this article, we'll discuss how warehouse management technology can help prevent injuries, stop fatalities, and improve safety in the workplace.

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) reduce the need for human labor

Automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) are computer-aided systems that store, retrieve, and transport goods within a contained environment.

These systems include automated conveyors, lifts, carousels, cranes, and robots that significantly reduce the need for manual labor in transporting goods.

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) increase safety

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), such as driverless forklifts, are used to transport goods across warehouses. AGVs are equipped with navigation and safety sensors that work to prevent collisions with objects, workers, and other automated systems.

They can handle significant transport volumes and feature predictive maintenance, reducing the chances of malfunction-induced accidents.

Automated safety checks and alerts detect potential hazards early

Early detection and prevention are keys to improving warehouse safety. Automated safety checks detect potential hazards, such as spills or equipment malfunctions. These real-time checks detect problems early and alert warehouse workers so they can respond quickly.

Automated safety checks and alerts provide predictive maintenance, helping prevent problems before they start.

You can also integrate these safety checks and alerts with real-time tracking and monitoring tools to create a more complete safety system.

Drones to the rescue

Warehouse drones can retrieve merchandise from hard-to-reach places and transport them safely, reducing the need for human workers to risk injury trying to reach the top shelf.

Inventory management systems prevent guesswork

Inventory management systems effectively track and organize goods in a warehouse in real time, reducing the chances of sudden bumps, trips, or falls from misplaced inventory. Such organization of warehouse inventory locations helps workers determine whether to use robotics or human labor to retrieve goods.

Real-time tracking means real-time response

Using real-time tracking and monitoring tools provides transparency into the movement of workers, materials, and equipment throughout the warehouse, spotting potential problems in how workers handle goods and equipment and alerting necessary management accordingly.

Robots handle the heavy lifting

Implementing robotics in your warehouses can drastically improve overall safety, handling heavy loads and dangerous tasks so your human workers don't have to.

Training is key

Lastly, properly trained warehouse workers go a long way in improving workplace safety. Providing training modules on safety practices, the use of automated equipment, and simulations on how to handle potential hazards minimizes the risk of injury in the warehouse.