It might not look that way outside right now, but we’re well and truly on our way into the warmer months of the year. The UK summer has a tendency to be short and unpredictable to say the least, but you can once again rest assured of at least a brief period during which the heat is borderline unbearable.
Which is precisely why this is the time to begin thinking about how you’re going to cope with the heat while working in a warehousing environment. Rather than waiting for things to hit boiling-point before taking action, give thought to the following as soon as possible and prepare yourself (and your workforce) for what’s to come:
Check Fans and Extractors
First of all, if you haven’t had your warehouse fans and extractors checked and/or serviced for some time, you should probably think about getting it done. When allowed to fall into a state of poor repair, the kinds of systems that are supposed to freshen the air and cool temperatures within a warehouse can actually end up doing the exact opposite. This, while at the same time using way too much electricity and creating an additional fire hazard. It’s not enough to simply have these installations in place – you need to make sure they are adequately looked after.
Check Moving Machinery
If you have any moving machinery like conveyors installed in your warehouse, it’s a good idea to pay attention to their bearings, seals and friction points a little more closely than normal. Bear in mind that excessive heat and the expansion it causes can have a detrimental effect on moving machinery and other equipment around the warehouse, making now the perfect time to check for any damage or discrepancies. Also be aware of the positioning and condition of electronics and computer equipment, which may be prone to overheating during the summer months.
Employee Comfort
As an employer, it is your responsibility to look after the health and welfare of the workforce. Interestingly however, there is currently no established upper-limit in terms of acceptable working temperatures. Nevertheless, you only need to rely on common sense to tell you when and where it is too hot to work safely and comfortably. As shutting down for any given period of time isn’t an option, it’s up to you to ensure that your warehouse remains a comfortable place to work and your employees as comfortable as necessary. Provide cold water, improve/expand air conditioning, allow more regular breaks and so on. Whatever you do, just ensure you don’t ignore the situation.
Check Your Shelving
It’s also worth bearing in mind that the material and accessories used in the manufacture of your primary shelving units may expand and contract more than normal during the summer months. Condensation can also become an issue during cooler summer evenings. As such, make now the time to check out the condition of your shelving, making the necessary repairs and replacements where necessary.
Keep Tabs on Health
Last but not least, it’s important to understand and be aware of the signs and symptoms of dehydration, in order to identify when and where you may need to step in for the benefit of your employees. You can’t always rely on members of the workforce to draw such lines with their own workplace health and safety – be sure to play a proactive role for their benefit.
