Stockroom Safety Tips
If you manage a retail store, you know there are many rules and regulations for maintaining a safe retail environment. While you always want customers to feel safe on the store floor, you must keep in mind that your employees require that same sense of security from your backroom.
In this post, we discuss stockroom safety and how it is crucial for preventing injuries as well as protecting your company against potential non-compliance fines.
Keep reading to find out our seven tips for organizing and maintaining a safe retail stockroom. You can also share our infographic at the bottom to help us spread the word on stockroom safety!
7 Tips for Organizing and Maintaining a Safe Retail Stockroom
1. Use the right storage units
Industrial-strength wire shelving is one of the most trusted storage solutions for safely maximizing space and securing product. It’s very versatile, extremely sturdy, allows for ventilation, and comes in various sizes to fit your space. Plus, it’s easy to maintain. You can also add locking casters to create secure mobile storage, which helps safely wheel merchandise for packing out.
2. Store stock properly
You don’t want anything heavy or hazardous falling on your employees. So, always place heavier boxes on bottom shelves and smaller objects on higher shelves. It’s important to stack all boxes, bins, and any crates evenly and straight to avoid tumbles. Refrain from stacking in areas where workers walk, and never store items on stairs. Make sure you know your shelving’s weight capacity too.
3. Eliminate fire hazards and clutter
Whether setting up your stockroom for the first time or engaging in some spring cleaning, be mindful of potential fire hazards and clutter build-up. Never block fire exits with boxes, pallets, etc., and make sure to pick up any trip hazards like paper, package stuffing, straps, or cardboard.
Enforce rules that prohibit employees from packing out sloppy. Designate an accessible trash area and implement an organization strategy to eliminate any confusion for where things belong.
4. Control the temperature of your stock room
A controlled stockroom temperature increases the longevity of your stock and equipment. It prevents moisture and mildew which is not only unsanitary for merchandise but also potentially harmful to staff health. Also, keep in mind a hot storage area can cause fatigue among employees, clouding their judgment. If an A/C system is out of budget for your store, you can always opt for a reasonably priced fan, especially if there aren’t any windows or much ventilation in your backroom.
5. Create a system for safe inventory retrieval
To reach items, use a secure foot stool or ladder and never stand on chairs, desks or shelves. Use pallet jacks, dollies or carts to move heavy objects. And keep all retrieval equipment stored in a designated location, out of walkways.
Larger stockrooms and warehouses may require the use of forklifts to retrieve and store large freight. Make sure only licensed and trained employees use forklifts and that all operators are dressed appropriately. Designate enough space to park your forklift safely when done, and never leave one in use unattended.
6. Use Detailed Labels
Proper labels reduce confusion. “I didn’t know,” is one of the leading causes of accidents. But, when your crew can carefully read where product and equipment belong, you eliminate any guesswork and decrease the likelihood of falling equipment, damaged merch, trips, slips, etc.
7. Create written rules
Safety procedures are better carried out when put into writing. Written protocols that specify which cleaners, tools, and methods to use increase the chances of such procedures being done properly. Putting guidelines down on paper also aids employee training and helps employers hold staff accountable in the event accidents do occur. Post a copy of these rules in your stockroom to help employees follow.