The warehouse workstation is often considered little more than a stack of drawers on wheels.

But as a warehouse staple, it plays an important part in the modern supply chain. As warehouses represent the link between bulk production facilities and customers, optimising distribution through them is key for supply chain success.

In many cases, a workstation can hold the key to a warehouse’s efficiency.

For one, workstations are considered a key element in improving worker efficiency. If staff are on their feet for eight-hour shifts, shouldn’t their environment be optimised for some degree of comfort?

By adjusting heights of shelves, their workstations can be optimised to reduce RSI from bending, stretching, and standing for long periods. The area where they move should be fitted with anti-fatigue mats to encourage optimum operator efficiency.

While recent technological development has led to the use of automated wireless workstations, not every warehouse can afford a WMS.

Whether it’s a shop workstation, packing station, repair station, production and assembly station, or an inventory maintenance station, all workstations always seem really busy. At first glance, that is. On closer inspection, it’s largely a consequence of clutter; they are always strewn with equipment and supplies.

A tidy workstation allows the user to know which jobs are pending and which ones are in progress. It also allows one to see which tools are being used and which need to be put away.

While most models have drawers built in, what happens when there needs to be more storage? For one, the answer isn’t a bigger table surface, as that will only lead to more clutter being left out.

By utilising space at the front of table, the left and right of table, and behind the worker, a new storage section can be created around any workstation. These four zones can be further divided into eight reach zones. With the use of racking and shelving, like snap-on or bolt-on shelving or cantilever types, a typical workstation can be further optimised for space.

In creating these zones, care must be taken to make them accessible without any awkward movements i.e.:

• The upper reach zones should be optimised with more drawers or short shelves to hold the most frequently used tools or supplies.
• The lower reach zones should be used for bulk storage and larger items.

Deciding which storage method would be required, (shelving or heavy duty racking) relies on knowing:

• The size and frequency of use of the supplies in use at that station.
• What elements the surface will be exposed to? (Sparks, hot glue, bangs from heavy tools.)
• What other equipment is in use at that bench? (Scanners, computers, printers, sealers etc.)
• The purpose of the workstation; improve workers efficiency, storage organisation, increased productivity etc.

Knowing the answers to these will help a supplier choose:

• the right structural material,
• the appropriate load capacity,
• the correct amount of shelves for your business.

Whether you are supplying a maintenance station, or a receiving desk, understanding its function in the workplace will help in choosing equipment you’ll be using for a long time.

Whatever your requirements, be it a complete control room or a simple one off bespoke workbench; contact Monarch Shelving today to choose from a wide choice of racking and shelving for your custom workstation.