You Might Have A Bad Warehouse If…There Are Footprints Atop The Stacks

Here’s another short but shocking example of a bad warehouse, this one related by Geoff Sisko, senior consultant at Jack Kuchta LLC:

 

 

 

Notice that Geoff prefaced his brief remarks by saying the bottom beams were “shaped like a U.” That must have been a dead giveaway that maybe the stacks were bearing too much weight, requiring further investigation. I would love to have seen the expression on the investigator’s face when he or she discovered the footprints!

You’ll find no provision in the WERC Best Practices Guide’s section on cycle count that recommends standing on stacks to perform the task. In fact it undermines the process. The guide says the “real power of cycle count is in identifying problems and resolving the root cause so that the errors do not occur in the first place.” Standing on stacks for the cycle count is most definitely an error and a problem, both from a safety and training perspective and for the structural integrity of the stacks and racks.

Cycle count is necessary for inventory accuracy; standing on the stacks to do it is not!

I really love your feedback - and love your contributions to share those bad warehouse stories to help educate the profession on what NOT to do, and maybe what to do if you’re not doing it.

If you've got an example of a bad warehouse practice, send me your story and photo(s) to [email protected]. If I feature your example in one of my blogs, WERC will send you a free copy of the WERC Warehousing & Fulfillment Process Benchmark & Best Practices Guide (a $160 value).

Your submission can be anonymous if you like so you don't get your boss or company in trouble! I'll be collecting examples all year and the winner will receive a free WERC Warehouse Certification Assessment by Supply Chain Visions, a $10,000 value. The runner up will win a free conference registration to the WERC conference (a $1,375 value).”

You Might Have A Bad Warehouse If…It’s A Bit Too Flammable

Here’s a short but really frightening bad warehouse item courtesy of Liz Lasater, CEO Red Arrow Logistics.

 

 

 

As I said, that is a really scary warehouse situation, basically a disaster waiting to happen. A little common sense and foresight is in order when it comes to equipment choices and overall facility safety. Warehouse owners and managers don’t necessarily have to pore over the WERC Best Practices Guide to discover that propane-powered forklifts inside of a flammable warehouse are a volatile and dangerous mix.

The bottom line is to know your equipment, the predominant mix of inventory types in the warehouse that the equipment will handle and to mix and match the operation for the safest possible result. Constant training and education on the proper use of equipment and the best way to move and store hazardous cargoes is vital.

The Guide says, “Establishing basic workplace conditions is an essential first step in creating a safe and productive warehouse environment.” Good housekeeping is a critical requirement for any best-in-class warehouse, the Guide adds.

Using propane forklifts in a flammable environment is not good or safe housekeeping!

I really love your feedback - and love your contributions to share those bad warehouse stories to help educate the profession on what NOT to do, and maybe what to do if you’re not doing it.

If you've got an example of a bad warehouse practice, send me your story and photo(s) to [email protected]. If I feature your example in one of my blogs, WERC will send you a free copy of the WERC Warehousing & Fulfillment Process Benchmark & Best Practices Guide (a $160 value).

Your submission can be anonymous if you like so you don't get your boss or company in trouble! I'll be collecting examples all year and the winner will receive a free WERC Warehouse Certification Assessment by Supply Chain Visions, a $10,000 value. The runner up will win a free conference registration to the WERC conference (a $1,375 value).”