Warehouse Best Practice Checklist

Good warehouse practices can be broken down into three broad operational areas: safety, efficiency and proactivity. Each area of this warehouse checklist is designed to promote preventative maintenance, increased productivity and a holistic view of warehouse management. These are fundamental elements of material handling management that form the foundation of warehouse best practice regardless of your industry or market.

Safety

Safety is a priority for warehouse operators of any size. Good warehouse practices promote safety, which leads to better productivity, efficiency and ROI.

• Aisles used for foot or machine traffic should be clear of clutter and debris
• Areas in which machinery operate should be separated by barriers or bollards
• All employees operating machinery have been properly trained
• Employees should be equipped with proper safety equipment as recommended by task, environment and job role
• Good ventilation throughout
• Clearly marked emergency exits
• Weight limitations clearly marked on anything used to carry or store inventory
• First-aid kits, fire extinguishers and other safety tools clearly posted
• Backup power supply in place

Efficiency

Up to 60% of a picker’s daily activity can be involved in travel time. Here are some warehouse picking best practices to maximise your efficiency

• Automate where it makes sense to do so
• Optimise your warehouse layout to reduce travel time
• Use warehouse management systems to reduce human error
• Execute cycle counting operations to enhance inventory accuracy
• Re-slot your pick positions as often as necessary
• Utilise real-time data capture to find other ways to optimise

Proactivity

Proactive supply chains and warehouse management allow for a much more flexible approach to your operation. By anticipating future issues, you can respond faster.

• Keep your lift trucks in good repair and on a regular rotation
• Have backup forklift trucks for busy periods and sudden changes in demand
• Keep your staff fully trained on a range of machines and train regularly
• Keep your site secure at all times
• Employ strategic logistics management