Logistics Best Practices – Protecting Employees, Managers and Clients

A key part of successful warehouse logistics strategy is something a lot of us might not think about on a regular basis: risk management and adherence to proper safety precautions. Warehouse managers have a responsibility to their employees to provide a safe working environment, where the likelihood of on-the-job accidents are low. Likewise, managers understand that time lost due to illness or injury means loss of profits, which directly affects their bottom line.  

But physical safety isn’t the only warehouse logistics risk that needs to be considered. In this day and age, where many 3PL companies are turning to Internet technology to manage and track their shipments, the hazards of cyber crime are very real, and need to be monitored closely. Clients cannot risk having their personal information compromised by security leaks.

So what can members of the warehouse logistics industry do to safeguard against the possibility of accidents, both physical and technological?

1. Create awareness. In this case, as in many others, knowledge is power. If employees have a thorough understanding of the possible risks associated with certain equipment or areas of the warehouse, they can be more prepared and less likely to fall prey to slips, trips and other accidents.
2. Reward success. Managers should consider incentivizing consistent adherence to proper safety measures on the part of their staff. While staying safe and healthy is incentive in and of itself, all of us enjoy a challenge, especially if successfully meeting the challenge results some sort of compensation.
3. Listen to employees.  Warehouse staff needs to feel as though their concerns are being heard, particularly when it comes to their health and safety. Everyone deserves a positive working environment free of unnecessary danger.
4. Practice cyber safety. As with any company, 3PL providers need to ensure that their IT hardware and software is up to date and secure. Routine maintenance and upgrades are essential. Otherwise, they risk catastrophe at the hands of unscrupulous hackers.