Warehouse environments are extremely fast-based where every second counts. Tilts, bumps, and drops are common issues in these environments. Millions of dollars’ worth of inventory is handled daily by warehouses across Australia. Physical damage to goods and equipment is one of the foremost causes of financial loss that can be avoided by them. The primary cause of these financial losses is the lack of visibility into what happens during handling and transit. This is where impact and tilt indicators can make a huge difference by transforming warehouse safety from reactive to proactive.
Warehouse Damage: Understanding the Hidden Costs
A misaligned pallet or a dented box may appear minor at first glance. However, rejected shipments, customer dissatisfaction, and warranty claims may result due to hidden damage. Recent industry estimates suggest that up to 11% of total supply chain costs can be attributed to product damage in logistics. This is particularly true for sensitive or high-value shipments containing pharmaceuticals, electronics, or industrial components.
Even a small mishandling incident like a sudden forklift impact, improper stacking, or a dropped crate can cause substantial financial repercussions in warehouses. In addition to repair costs, it may also lead to long term implications such as reshipments, downtime, and loss of trust. It is important for safety managers to identify when and where such incidents are likely to occur and initiate prompt corrective measures.
Improving Safety and Accountability
At ShockWatch, we offer a comprehensive range of temperature, tilt, and impact indicators capable of providing an uncomplicated yet robust layer of accountability within your warehouse operations. These devices can be attached directly to machineries, pallets, or packages and there is a visual display when the product is tilted, dropped or exposed to unsafe conditions.
Here is how these indicators can help warehouse operations.
Instant Visual Feedback: When an item experiences excessive shock, the ShockWatch® impact label turns red immediately. This simple change of colour serves as a deterrent as handlers realize that all their actions are being monitored.
Traceability of Incidents: warehouse managers can utilise tilt and impact data to identify the time and place of handling error. This allows them to implement data-driven decisions related to process improvements and training needs.
Building a Culture: Indicators are critical to reinforcing a culture of responsibility throughout the warehouse. This culture makes workers well aware of handling standards and makes them realize that safety is a shared responsibility.
Reducing Losses through Prevention and Insight
Studies show that shipping and handling damage reduces by over 50% in the presence of visible impact indicators. Companies can use these tools in warehouse environments for
- Indentifying high-risk areas such as stacking zones or loading docks.
- Improving the handling behaviour of employees through continuous feedback.
- Reducing disputes and insurance claims by sharing objective evidence of handling conditions.
- Ensuring compliance with quality and safety standards.
When it comes to warehouses, safety is not just about protecting people. It is also about protecting processes, products, and profitability. If your warehouse is striving to foster a safety-first culture, please get in touch with our experts at ShockWatch.
