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Businesses of all sizes face many challenges, but none may be more daunting than keeping employees safe in a warehouse environment. One crucial aspect of supply chain management is safety. With the potential for accidents around every corner, it’s essential for business owners to explore all possible solutions to improve safety in the workplace.
Fortunately, one technology that has shown promise in this area is a real-time location system (RTLS). Let’s look at how real-time location systems can benefit warehouse safety and how your business can implement this valuable tool.
The Importance of Warehouse Safety
Warehouses can be dangerous places to work. Injuries sustained in warehouses account for a significant portion of all workplace injuries in the United States. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), more than 50,000 workers are injured in warehouses each year.
While some warehouse injuries are minor, others can be life-threatening. In fact, warehouse worker deaths have been on the rise in recent years. In 2016, there were 724 workplace fatalities in the United States, and warehousing and storage facilities accounted for 16 of those deaths.
These statistics make it clear that business owners need to do everything in their power to improve safety in their warehouses.
What is an RTLS System and How Does it Help Improve Warehouse Safety?
RTLS system is a technology that uses sensors and tracking devices to identify the location of people or objects in real-time. This information is then transmitted to a central database, where it can be monitored and analyzed.
One of the critical benefits of RTLS is that it provides business owners with visibility into what’s happening in their facility at all times. This is especially important in a warehouse setting where there is a lot of activity and many moving parts.
There are several different ways to implement an RTLS system, but the most common method is to use active radio frequency identification (active RFID) tags. These tags can be attached to objects or people, and they emit a signal that a network of receivers can detect. The information from these tags can then be used to track the location of the objects or people in real-time.
RTLS systems can be used for various applications, but they have shown particular promise in a warehouse management system.
Benefits of Having an RTLS in Place for Warehouse Safety
There are many benefits that an RTLS system can offer for warehouse safety. Here are just a few of the ways that an RTLS can improve safety in your facility:
It can help you keep track of employees
One of the most important aspects of keeping your warehouse safe is knowing where your employees are. With an RTLS in place, you can easily track the location of your employees and make sure they stay safe while they are working. You can block specific areas with geofencing or even integrate RTLS into time and attendance systems to keep an accurate roster of your employees, visitors, and contractors.
It can help you identify hazards
Another benefit of RTLS for warehouse safety is that it can help you identify potential hazards in your warehouse. By tracking the movements of people and objects, you can quickly identify areas of the warehouse that may be more dangerous than others.
Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common accidents in warehouses. An RTLS system can help you identify areas where these accidents are more likely to occur and take steps to reduce the risk.
It can help you respond to emergencies
In an emergency, an RTLS can help you quickly locate employees and get them to safety. Tracking people in real-time can be invaluable in a crisis. With an RTLS, organizing muster points and performing headcounts to ensure everyone is accounted for is simplified and accurate.
It can help you improve safety training
An RTLS can also be used to improve safety training for your employees. By tracking the exact location and the movements of people and objects, you can identify areas where accidents are more likely to occur. This information can then be used to create more effective safety training programs that focus on those areas.
It can help protect against moving equipment
One of the leading causes of warehouse accidents is contact with moving equipment. With an RTLS in place, you can track the location of all employees and make sure they are clear of any moving equipment.
RTLS can be integrated into a forklift fleet management system to track their movements and ensure efficiency. In safety, a forklift collision warning system with autonomous speed control and proximity warnings can highly reduce the risk of accidents.
How to Get Started with an RTLS for Your Warehouse
If you are interested in implementing an RTLS for warehouse safety, there are a few things you need to do to get started. First, you need to decide what type of system you want to use. There are many different types of RTLS systems on the market, so choosing one that will work best for your needs is crucial.
Once you have selected a system, you need to install it in your warehouse. This process can be complicated, so it is vital to work with a professional who has experience installing RTLS systems. Once the system is installed, you need to configure it to work with your specific needs.
Finally, you need to train your employees to use the system. This is important to ensure that they can adequately use the system and understand its capabilities.
Once you have completed these steps, you will be ready to start using an RTLS in your warehouse. If you follow these steps, you can be sure that you will be able to improve safety in your facility.
Conclusion
Acquiring actual RTLS data can offer several benefits for warehouse safety. By keeping track of employees, identifying hazards, forklift trucks, and responding to emergencies, an RTLS can help you create a safer working environment. If you are interested in improving safety in your warehouse, an RTLS data system may be the right solution for you.
Litum RTLS For Warehouse Safety
While warehouse safety is vital in any industry, it is especially crucial in the warehousing and distribution industries. To keep your workers safe and avoid potential accidents or injuries, it is vital to have a robust safety system. RTLS technology can be an essential part of that system. At Litum, we are experts in providing a real-time location system to improve warehouse safety and operational efficiency.
