How to Overcome the Worst Warehouse Problems 

Running a profitable warehouse is all about maximising efficiency. There are some common issues that all warehouse operators face but some of the warehouse problems are worse. Left unchecked, they can lead to underperformance and a loss of profits. However, with investment in the right equipment and the right systems in place, these issues can be overcome.

Here’s how to overcome the biggest warehouse issues.

Worst Warehouse Problems #1: Workers are struggling to reach goods at height

One of the worst warehouse problems is worker injury. Not only does this slow down production, but it can also leave you facing legal issues and compensation claims.

If workers have to overreach to reach goods at height, this can cause back and shoulder problems and other muscle strains.

You can avoid this issue by investing in some equipment that will make reaching goods at height easier. Consider equipment like lift tables or high lift pallet trucks. These lift goods to a comfortable height and reduce the risk of worker injury.

Worst Warehouse Problems #2: Workers are suffering from repetitive strain injuries

When heavy and awkward goods have to are moved on a daily basis, there’s an increased risk of worker injury. But injuries don’t have to be inevitable. If workers end up off sick because of repetitive strain injuries, it affects your productivity and profitability, so it pays to get ahead of it. Solve one of the worst warehouse problems by buying some key manual handling equipment. Depending on the jobs that need doing, equipment like sack trucks, pallet trucks, platform trucks, and stackers will reduce the need for bending and heavy lifting.

Worst Warehouse Problems #3: It takes too much time to move goods around your warehouse

Time is money and if you have a huge warehouse, you might find that it’s taking too much time to move goods around.  You can increase productivity and transport goods with ease with a powered pallet truck. Because it’s powered, there’s no need for pushing and pulling, and it will glide easily over smooth floor surfaces.

Worst Warehouse Problems #4: The layout is inefficient

Optimising your warehouse space is about making the best of the space you have. Poor warehouse layouts can cost you money. It slows down productivity, leads to stock damage, and contributes to worker injury.

An inefficient warehouse layout can be one of the worst warehouse problems, but you can improve things with a few tweaks:

• Minimise the distance workers need to travel by putting your most popular inventory at the front of your warehouse,
• Make use of the vertical space rather than using precious floor space,
• Invest in a stacker to help workers lift and move goods in restricted spaces and narrow aisles. Stackers are smaller than a forklift truck but have more functionality than a basic pallet truck.

Worst Warehouse Problems #5: Stock often gets damaged

Stock damage is without a doubt one of the worst warehouse problems. It’s common when you move a lot of goods every day, but damage equals lost profits. You can reduce the chances of damage by: 

• Investing in some heavy-duty manual handling equipment that will protect goods as you lift and transport them, 
• Making sure that you keep pathways around the warehouse clear and well lit,
• Checking equipment, pallets, and shelves often for signs of damage.

That is how to keep a safe warehouse!

We hope we’ve given you some helpful advice on how to overcome the worst warehouse problems. For more tips and interesting articles on all things trucks and trolleys, check out our blog.