California has had its fair share of fires over the years, especially the wild variety. This year’s wildfires have already burned more than 1 million acres, and nearly a dozen are still ablaze.  Now, the Golden State is facing an uptick in warehouse fires in some of its biggest and most populated cities, including Oakland, Carson and El Sereno.

An efficient and functioning warehouse should run like a well-oiled machine. Everything should be in its place, and everyone should know where to go at all times. Of course, that only works on paper. Once we introduce humans and the problem of human error into the equation, things start to go awry.

Warehouses today move faster than ever before. Thanks primarily to Amazon’s massive popularity, e-commerce customers now expect fast shipping, and the industry has shifted to meet these needs.

When managing a cold storage warehouse, the top priority is keeping the goods within the required temperature range to avoid spoilage that could sicken consumers and upset clients. That’s a crucial aim, but it’s also vital to protect the workers and the building itself. Here are some practical ways to do that.

The combination of large vehicles, heavy machinery, uneven terrain and large loads make the loading dock dangerous for warehouse workers of all kinds. Dockworkers, truck drivers and employees that work elsewhere in the facility must exercise caution when in this area.

As the pandemic continues, warehouse workers are still adapting. In particular, social distancing is essential to prevent the spread of the virus, keep employees safe, and maintain operations.

Companies often invest a considerable amount of time in modular, yet stable, warehouse furniture, fittings and shelving, and for a good reason. A proper layout can significantly impact productivity, safety and operations. Unfortunately, it often means warehouse floor maintenance falls by the wayside.

Industrial worksites — like factories, power plants and warehouses — are often dangerous environments for workers. Large equipment and heavy objects, among other threats, pose severe safety risks.

As technology improves and changes, it is crucial to make sure procedures and practices are up-to-date, modern and match up with required safety standards.

Every day, workers of the world head to their jobs fully expecting to return home in the same condition that they left. This is made possible when companies put the security of their workforce as the first priority.