Health and safety in the modern workplace have never been as important as it is today. According to the Health and Safety Executive, almost 39 million days were lost in 2020 due to work-related injuries and ill health. Employers have a duty of care to employees, contractors, and visitors to warehouse sites and to ensure the safety and protection of products manufactured or stored within the premises.
Most warehouse safety breaches are preventable with the use of simple barriers such as strip curtains. These can prevent many problems from occurring and, indeed, enhance warehouse safety in several ways. For all the information you need on how strip curtains can help keep your warehouse safe and the other benefits they can provide, read on.
Temperature Control
Temperatures can vary in many warehouses, and strip curtains can help maintain steady temperatures and prevent fluctuations. This is crucial in areas where goods that are sensitive to temperature changes, such as food or pharmaceuticals, are stored or produced. Strip curtains can prevent damage or spoilage by maintaining stable temperatures and improving the safety of the goods stored within them.
Dust and Debris Control
Dust and debris from external sources or from manufacturing or construction components can cause considerable damage to production and contribute to the potential ill-health of workers. Strip curtains provide a very effective barrier to reduce contamination from dust and debris. This helps maintain cleanliness while preventing potential hazards to products, workers, and visitors.
Noise Reduction
In some warehouses, manufacturing processes or heavy machinery can generate unacceptable noise. Strip curtains can help dampen this noise to create more pleasant working conditions. Reduced noise levels contribute to safety by decreasing the risk of damage to workers’ hearing.
Prevention of Contamination
In a warehouse handling sensitive products such as food, electronics, or pharmaceuticals, the prevention of contamination from external contaminants such as insects, pollutants, or dust is paramount. Strip curtains can significantly reduce the risk of contamination and protect the integrity of the product.
Insect and pest infestation can pose a significant problem in warehouses, especially where food or agricultural products are stored. A major infestation could lead to the complete enforced shutdown of the warehouse, significantly impacting production, profits and the integrity of the business. Strip curtains provide a vital barrier to help keep insects and pests out, minimising the need for expensive and time-consuming chemical pest control methods and reducing or even eliminating the risk of contamination or damage to stored produce.
Improved Air Quality
By controlling the flow of air between different sections of the warehouse, strip curtains can help improve overall air quality, keep out unwanted odours and contribute to a more ambient working environment. This is especially beneficial in warehouses where air circulation is essential for workers’ health, contractors, visitors and especially those dealing with hazardous materials or fumes, which could cause serious health problems, leading to enforced time off for workers. It can also help reduce the spread of allergens.
Safety Barrier Properties
Finally, strip curtains form a visible barrier between different areas of the warehouse to define pedestrian walkways, loading zones, storage areas, and workstations. By having clearly marked boundaries, the potential for accidents and clashes between workers and machinery such as forklift trucks or other moving vehicles is greatly reduced.
In conclusion, strip curtains cannot be underestimated for their role in enhancing warehouse safety, providing a secure working environment, and protecting the integrity of the business.
