How to Implement a Zero-Waste Strategy in Your Warehouse

20 September 2023 by Lizzie Allen

Are you thinking about going zero-waste in your warehouse? Awesome! It's a challenge, but the rewards are worth it. The name of the game here is all about teamwork and getting creative to cut down on waste.

So, what's the deal with a zero-waste strategy? Well, it's basically about doing everything you can to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials so you're not generating a bunch of waste.

But hold up a second. What should you do to make this zero-waste thing happen in your warehouse? And are there any tips and tricks to make it work smoothly? Well, we're about to dive into that, so stay tuned!

What is a Zero-Waste Strategy?

‘The zero waste ideology involves minimising the number of wasted materials and resources. This encompasses the whole production process, from manufacturing to consumption. It also encourages reusing and recycling instead of landfills and incineration or recovery, which is often referred to as energy from waste.’ - Acquisition International

Put simply, to implement an effective zero-waste strategy, businesses must focus on the ‘3 Rs’:

Reduce: This means you're doing your best to generate less waste. Try to cut down where you can and for everything else... 👇
Reuse: Whenever you can, give things a second life. Don't toss stuff if it's still got some juice left in it. Get creative and use things again and again.
Recycle: If you can't reuse something, don't fret. Recycling comes to the rescue. It takes an item and gives it a makeover, turning it into something fresh and new. Our racksack® waste segregation bin is a great way to sort waste materials to make recycling a breeze.

So, remember these 3 Rs, and you're on your way to being a zero-waste champ! 🌍♻️

Implementing Your Zero-Waste Strategy

Check Where You're At

So, first things first, take a good look at what's happening in your warehouse. Be honest with yourself. You may already be doing some great stuff to reduce waste - kudos for that! But there's likely room for improvement, too. Take stock before moving on to the next step.

Set Clear Goals

Don't jump straight into the zero-waste superhero mode. You've got to set some smaller, bite-sized goals along the way. Think of these as your pit stops on the road to zero-waste greatness. For instance:

Start by getting cosy with the 3 Rs - reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Teach your team the ropes on why zero-waste matters.
Consider swapping out those not-so-eco-friendly materials for some greener options.

Sort That Waste Out

Waste can be a messy business, right? So, make life easier with designated waste sorting stations. You know, big, labelled bins for recyclables, regular trash, organic stuff, and anything hazardous.

And here's a handy tip: check out our racksack® waste segregation solutions. They help you keep your warehouse clean, safe, and green. Plus, they don't hog your precious floor space. In fact, here's five reasons why your warehouse should use racksack®.

Team Up With Your Suppliers

Don't go solo on this mission. Team up with your suppliers and let them in on your zero-waste game plan. Ask them to go easy on the packaging and push for eco-friendly materials.

4 Common Warehouse Hazards and How to Prevent Them

7 September 2023 by Lizzie Allen

Making sure your warehouse is running smoothly and keeping your employees safe is absolutely crucial.

It's pretty alarming when you hear that in the UK alone, 123 workers lost their lives in 2021/22 because of workplace injuries. That's a pretty stark reminder of how important it is to step up safety measures, right?

So, let's dive into it a bit. We'll chat about 4 common warehouse hazards - things like fires and forklift accidents. But don't worry, we won't leave you hanging without solutions – we'll also discuss what measures warehouse managers can implement to prevent accidents and fatalities from these hazards.

Warehouse Fires
Slips and Trips
Falling Objects
Forklift Accidents

Warehouse Fires

A fire anywhere can be devastating, and a warehouse fire is no different. They can quickly spread and cause multiple fatalities among staff and damage stock and equipment, potentially forcing a whole business to close permanently.

Regular fire risk assessments and PAT testing are critical factors in preventing warehouse fires.

In addition, warehouse managers should encourage workers to report any equipment faults or defects and ensure all fire alarms are working, fire extinguishers are easily accessible, and all fire doors are closed.

A great way to keep fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and fire alarms easily accessible is by using Modulean® Fire Safety Shadow Boards. These boards come in various highly-visible 5S colours, ensuring they stand out in the warehouse, and keep fire equipment neatly organised and stored. They also come in a Rack End Board version, which makes fantastic use of otherwise redundant end-of-aisle racking space.

Slips and Trips

Slips and trips are another common warehouse hazard, usually caused by loose wires, tools left where they shouldn't be, and spillages that haven't been cleaned up.

Although the above may sound like easy issues to fix, the Health and Safety Executive states the following:

'Statistics show slipping and tripping to be the single most common cause of major injury in UK workplaces, and they are often the initiators of accidents attributed to other causes, such as some machinery accidents, scalding and falls from height.'

A key factor in preventing these sorts of accidents is ensuring you don't assume someone else will fix the problem - if you see a hazard, report it immediately or remove it if you can safely do so. Warehouse managers can also use anti-slip tape, line marking tapes and floor signs to highlight hazards.

Falling Objects

Falling objects in a warehouse can prove fatal in some cases - especially if the accident involves heavy stock or equipment too heavy for the racking it's placed on.

In this case, weight-load notices become essential. They're crucial for maintaining a safe and efficient warehouse environment as they provide employees with clear information about weight limits and load capacities, helping to prevent accidents.

Combining weight-load notices with ensuring all items are fully secured can prevent many tragedies.

Forklift Accidents

According to The UK Material Handling Association, the industry experiences over 1,300 forklift truck accidents annually, leading to an average of five accidents every workday in the UK alone.

Often, accidents are due to a lack of training or safety-conscious behaviour by the forklift operator. Warehouse managers can help reduce the risk of such accidents by providing all employees with up-to-date forklift training, ensuring all equipment is regularly checked, inspected, and maintained, and encouraging a clean and tidy warehouse.

Additionally, graphic floor signs are a simple, effective, and highly visible way of warning pedestrians about forklift truck areas.

Plus, while accident prevention is the ultimate goal, impact protection solutions such as rack-end barriers and Rack Armour® upright racking protection can help mitigate injury or damage in the event of a collision into warehouse racking.

IWS Group: Resetting the Bar on Impact Safety 💥💯

30 May 2023 by Lizzie Allen

We're thrilled to share exciting news from our parent company, IWS Group, which recently impact-tested its range of Brandsafe® polymer safety barriers to the PAS 13 global benchmark.

(Psst... these barriers are available to Beaverswood® resellers - get in touch to expand your product offering today!)

"I came in like a w̶r̶e̶c̶k̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶b̶a̶l̶l̶ pendulum!"

There's only one way to accurately impact test safety barriers, and it's by repeatedly smashing them at various points with a mighty pendulum.

That's the gist of it in layman's terms, anyway. The details are rather more scientific and nuanced and definitely require a passion for all things physics to understand.

Fortunately, IWS Group is full of curious minds and passionate spirits, and they set to work in April 2023, where the barrier range was tested at their subsidiary, Rack Group, in Barnsley.

"We undertook this activity to prove the capability of our barrier range and, with TÜV Nord witnessing, it confirms that our internal testing procedure adheres to the industry code of practice," explains Matt Mason, Group Design Manager at IWS Group.

"Testing is conducted on a purpose-built impact pendulum rig designed and commissioned entirely by IWS Group, which simulates real-world impact energies of material handling vehicles travelling at different speeds and provides physical proof of our products' capability.

The pendulum strikes barriers at various pre-determined locations to measure the level of energy the barriers can withstand, how much deflection they display under the impact, and how much force is transferred to the ground fixings and concrete.

Testing also defines the distance behind barriers that is considered the 'safe zone' for the barrier to deflect into, which is identified during installation of the barrier by visual floor markings."

All testing was conducted with UKAS calibrated measuring equipment such as high-speed cameras, torque wrenches, load cells and industrial weigh scales to ensure confidence in every result witnessed."

When the dust settled (literally), the Brandsafe® range of polymer safety barriers was declared to meet the PAS 13 code of practice. This is the only globally recognised code of practice for industrial safety barriers, and compliance ensures barriers effectively protect people and assets from accidents.

Why Should You Care?

Let's be honest; it's great that IWS Group had fun swinging a giant pendulum around, but why should you care?

"This testing is an important step for customers looking to purchase impact protection barriers for their workplace," says Susy Keating, Managing Director of Brandsafe, "Knowing what impact forces a barrier can take, as well as ensuring data is independently certified by a reputable third party, is a vital factor in choosing the right barrier."

"For too long, impact protection has been over-engineered, over-priced and overly complicated. It's time to reset the bar on what impact protection ultimately comes down to: keeping people and products safe."

Stuart Ovington, Managing Director of Rack Group, adds:

"TÜV Nord independently verifying that our testing abided by the PAS 13 guidelines serves as a testimonial to our teams here at IWS Group, as well as the quality of our polymer barrier range. Not every barrier manufacturer undertakes product testing to this level, so we are proud to be amongst the industry leaders.

Our barriers are shown to be high performing, long-lasting and can withstand greater impacts than similar, industry-leading products. In addition, we can create bespoke designs quickly to suit individual needs and, with short lead times, provide a cost-effective solution at the highest standard."

What This Means For Beaverswood® Resellers

In a nutshell - the opportunity to add a PAS 13 accredited polymer barrier range to your product offering! This includes:

By taking this fantastic proposition to market, you can drive revenue for your business and delight your customers with a safety barrier range which outperforms similar products while remaining cost-effective.

It's a win-win, so don't hesitate to contact us today for more information.

T: 0118 979 6096
E: sales@beaverswood.co.uk

How To Protect Electric Vehicle Charging Bays

28 May 2021 by Lizzie Allen

As the UK green revolution gathers pace, many companies are considering the steps involved in planning, specifying and then protecting EV charging stations. How can you protect electric vehicle charging bays?

The Government’s ten-point plan for a ‘green industrial revolution’ in Britain is backed by £12 billion of investment. It includes a wholesale switch to electric vehicles and the current aim is to stop the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030.

To accelerate and support this ‘drive’, £1.3 billion of funding has been earmarked to create a nationwide electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Siting and supporting charging bays in workplaces

Naturally, companies which operate fleets – or which have large staff or visitor car parks – will be keen to be at the front of the queue for EV charge point funding! However, even small organisations will need to provide access to at least one electric vehicle charging bay.

The Office of Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) is a source of excellent information on EV charging station grants, and there is application assistance online.

Fortunately, companies which supply the tech needed are plentiful. They can help employers and public bodies to choose the best locations for this complex equipment. As well as providing assistance in tackling issues such as DNO and safety requirements, and planning regulations.

What else do you need, to optimise electric vehicle charging bays on commercial premises, public highways or within company car parks? Beaverswood has two ingenious products to help you protect electric vehicle charging bays.

Make your EV charging stations easy to see

Once your equipment is in situ, you will have three main priorities.

Firstly, to protect it from damage and avoid interruptions in this essential service. Secondly, you will want to help drivers locate and use EV charging points swiftly and with no hassle.

However, making sure that electric car drivers locate your charging points quickly is not just about keeping things running smoothly. It also avoids them blocking access to other vehicles and creating traffic safety risks. Especially on sites where LGV and HGV are constantly on the move, or you have pedestrians to consider too.

Floor level graphics for EV charging bays

One of the best ways to safeguard an expensive EV charging station is to make your locational signage 100% clear and impossible to miss! This is not always easy as the bay will be on public roads, within sites where commercial vehicle operate or tucked away at busy car parks!

Putting your signage at ground level can be the ideal solution, for any location, to protect electric vehicle charging bays.

Beaverswood has put together everything you need to mark out EV charging bays in one handy product. Including a stencil to create a universally recognised graphic, high-performance outdoor paint that works well on multiple surfaces and a no-mess paint applicator.

The paints in our electric vehicle charging stencil kit are red, yellow or white, so you can colour code the graphic.

You can also buy the 600mm x 600mm EV charging point graphic stencil on its own.

If you want a made to order stencil (to vary the dimensions) or an EV charging bay graphic as part of a consignment of other traffic management stencils, we would be happy to quote for a bespoke order.

Flexible Delineators

Having found the best method to mark out EV charging stations, the next consideration is a system to guide vehicles to them smoothly, minimising any potential for impact with pedestrians, other drivers or on-site structures.

Our flexible delineator range is perfect for this, not least as it can be installed quickly and securely on tarmac or concrete surfaces.

Just like many other traffic management products we sell, this range features high vis polyurethane. Making the posts remarkably durable and weather resistant, and able to flex and bend when a driver misjudges distances. They even spring back into shape when a vehicle drives over them!

The aim though is to make your EV charge bay easy to manoeuvre into, using the delineator posts and chains as a logical guide.

Sign of the times

Like many of the high-quality workplace signage and safety aids we sell, both of the above are low-cost solutions.

However, they are an important way to mark out EV charging bays to protect your investment and make accessing your charging stations a streamlined process.

To discuss more bright ideas to make your premises a better protected and productive work environment, please get in touch.

Top 10 Warehouse Safety Tips

9 November 2020 by Lizzie Allen

Author: Beaverswood® | Last Updated:January 2024

Warehouses can be potentially dangerous environments and can generate a wide range of risks for employees, which is why we have compiled our Top 10 Warehouse Safety Tips.

Some companies exceed Health & Safety standards which not only shows their dedication to safety but also boosts employee loyalty and aids recruitment. Additionally, it helps prevent productivity problems caused by safety mishaps and oversights, which can lead to delays and disruptions.

To help you improve warehouse safety, here are our Top 10 Warehouse Safety Tips.

1. Create a Strong Signage System

Ensure that the warehouse is equipped with easily understandable and highly visible warehouse signage to effectively convey safety guidelines, emergency exit locations, and areas with potential hazards. By prominently displaying these signs, any confusion can be minimised, and overall awareness can be improved.

2. Regularly assess weight restrictions

Despite the advancements in automated technology, warehouses still rely on manual lifting and carrying to some extent. Back injuries pose a significant challenge for workers in these industries. It is essential to regularly review weight restrictions for your storage racks and lifting mechanisms and ensure that warning labels and staff information are always kept current.

3. Consider shelving units’ maximum weight capacity

Not only is it important to think about weight restrictions when employees are manually lifting items, but you must also consider the weight capacity of the storage rack or shelving unit. If the weight of items on a warehouse shelf exceeds its maximum capacity, it can lead to structural damage, potential collapse, and compromise safety.

The use of Max UDL labels ensure warehouses comply with safety regulations and avoid excessive weight that can cause structural problems. This protects inventory, equipment, and personnel from potential harm.

4. Implement anti-slip measures

Slip and fall accidents are a common danger in industrial settings, causing various injuries such as fractures, sprains, and concussions.

By adopting efficient and cost-effective anti-slip measures such as anti-slip footprints, anti-slip stair treads and adhesive anti-slip tapes, you can establish a safe work environment and minimise the chances of accidents.

Implementing anti-slip measures not only ensures compliance with safety regulations but also protects employees and enhances the company’s reputation.

5. Minimise waste and eliminate unnecessary clutter

Minimising waste and eliminating unnecessary clutter in a warehouse is essential for meeting productivity, recycling and space-saving targets.

Racksack® offer a practical solution to efficiently manage waste and maximise storage space. By securely hanging them on different fixtures, they create a clutter-free environment with their spacious open mouth, allowing easy disposal of waste. This not only optimises storage capacity but also minimises the need for additional storage facilities.

Additionally, ensuring the continuous removal of waste and organising it into separate Racksacks contributes to creating a safer workplace for warehouse employees.

6. Implement Warehouse Impact Protectors

It is essential to carefully assess your workspace and identify areas that may require impact protectors such as corners, pillars, doorways, and posts, as they may need to be re-evaluated to safeguard both your vehicles and staff.

By using versatile high visibility materials that are designed to absorb impact, you can effectively shield every edge and corner. Consider incorporating polyWRAP column protectors and safety ends to further enhance the protection measures throughout your warehouse.

7. Keep your Employees Informed

Having logical access to important safety and operational information is extremely important. To ensure that your commercial display boards, health & safety documents, and inspection documentation are well-maintained, it is essential to use the latest products that provide excellent visibility and clarity.

Modulean® shadow boards are the ideal solution for keeping your employees informed of important information as they boost organisation and visual management in the workplace.

8. Arrange Regular Training Sessions

When you’re under pressure to reach performance targets, don’t overestimate the level of your workforce’s understanding and awareness.

It is important to acknowledge that not all individuals retain information or acquire new skills at the same rate. Therefore, implementing continuous staff training modules and refreshers is a sensible approach and can help contribute to the overall efficiency, safety, and effectiveness of warehouse operations.

9. Review Exterior Warehouse Safety

Exterior spaces in warehouses frequently include the movement of vehicles like trucks, forklifts, and delivery vehicles. Reviewing these areas are crucial for maintaining a secure and efficient work environment.

Speed-reducing ramps are effective in reducing the risk of accidents and collisions by slowing down vehicle traffic and creating a safer environment for pedestrians. Alternatively, you could use flexible traffic bollards combined with plastic chains which can help separate traffic and pedestrian routes.

10. Perform Regular Safety Checks

It is necessary to perform both regular and comprehensive safety assessments in your warehouse to fulfil your health and safety responsibilities.

To keep track of this effectively, attach an asset tag marker to each piece of equipment, provide a handy checklist, and establish a system to record inspection dates. By taking this proactive approach, you can ensure the safety of your warehouse environment.

Making the workplace work smarter

All our Top 10 Warehouse Safety Tips share a common theme and that is to have a reliable supplier of high-quality products that ensure effective communication, control, and risk management in your workspace.

Therefore, we recommend browsing our extensive range or contacting us to discuss your safety shopping list.