Cleanliness greatly impacts productivity in any area. Think of a cluttered kitchen and how much can really be done in a short amount of time. A warehouse is an even more confusing and complex environment where people, machinery and goods are constantly flowing. Investing in tidying up can help getting more done in less time, and help with locating and moving goods quickly.
Safety goes hand in hand with cleanliness, as oil spills, debris obstacles and other hazards can cause transport accidents, falls, slips and fires.
More than anything, cleanliness is a good indicator of the attitude and morale of employees. Setting a standard for cleanliness doesn’t hurt on a good impression to employees, suppliers and clients. Thankfully, cleanliness and safety can become part of the workflow by following these tips.
1. Establish a cleaning plan & roster
How often do you need to clean floors, aisles and loading areas? Look at the size of the working area and the volume of products being moved, packed and unpacked.
Sweep floors daily and mop spills as soon as they happen, dust equipment monthly to avoid malfunctions or clogging.
Store Salt and Shovels near docking areas to avoid accidents during winter.
Incorporate cleaning into the workflow, make it a requirement and don’t consider a job finished until the cleaning is done. Pick up debris as soon as the task is over, dispose of label backings since they can be extremely slippery due to their waxy layer.
2. Assign employees to zones and areas
The easiest and fastest way to involve everyone is by assigning every employee to a zone he/she will be responsible for. It could be workbenches, a certain aisle, a busy passageway or the coffee station. Their tasks could include dusting, sweeping, moping or picking up garbage.
Supervisors can inspect areas daily and remind, encourage or praise employees at the end of each day.
If dealing with hazardous chemicals, remind employees to store them in appropriate CoSHH-compliant Cabinets when not in use. Employ cleaners with experience in the disposal of chemical waste.
3. Keep cleaning equipment handy and accessible
Make brooms, mops, bins, garbage bags readily available throughout the warehouse, depending on the size of the work area. Keep the cleaning equipment out of the way when not in use. Make it so that everyone has access to them, thus cutting down on the time needed to get to the equipment and the time waiting on others to finish using the equipment.
Empty garbage bins regularly to avoid overflow. Wheelie bins are a great way to facilitate transport and rotations of garbage pickups. Allocate an area to stock the materials or trash before disposing of them. Stash a few bin liners at the base of garbage bins to make sure that your employees don’t have to look for fresh ones.
4. Recycle or reuse materials
Encourage employees to separate materials whenever possible for recycling or reusing. The Racksack is the perfect choice for eco-conscious workplaces. They provide quick access to waste segregation without compromising on space.
Having three simple ‘S’ locators, the Racksack can be attached to most racking systems that are 900 to 1100 mm deep. This saves space and keeps floors uncluttered. It comes in a size of H1000 x W900mm and warehouses, offices, schools and factories can use it to collect paper, scraps, electrical waste, and mixed recycling.
The Racksack comes in blue and thirteen different designs plus a blank design. Three strong handles sewn onto the sides and at the base enable easy carrying and emptying throughout the day.
5. Keep track of inventory and do deep cleans
Remove and relocate obsolete goods or outdated products to avoid cluttering and the collection of dust.
Organise goods that are relevant together and invest in Racking Systems that allow you to stack goods for better visual identification.
Twice a year, spring-clean the warehouse and check for outdated tools, machinery and small parts. Store small parts and tools in Wall Kits that save up on space.
*For a text and more accessible version, please scroll to the end of the post.
Create a pleasant and safe workplace by implementing these simple tips into your workflow. If you have specific storage and safety requirements, visit our specialised Direct2U websites and chat with us for a free quotation. We offer Free Delivery to UK Mainland.
*Text version of Cleaning Checklist
| Immediately | Mop liquid spills Put away tools Sweep floor Dispose of strapping Dispose of debris |
| Daily | Sweep floors Empty bins Recycle leftover materials Clear workbenches Clear paperwork Clean coffee stations |
| Weekly | Clear racks Check for empty containers Refill cleaning equipment |
| Monthly | Dust shelving Dust racking Dust equipment Review cleaning plan & roster |
| Twice yearly | Sort tools Sort small parts Clear obsolete products |