The first thing to mention is flexibility. For example it makes perfect sense to have steps (with safety castors) that can operate up and down an order picking face. These are usually stored at the end of each shelving or racking aisle so that the user can move ‘to and fro’ in front of the order picking face without the need for excessive sets of steps per aisle. Extra sets of steps are just obstacles that make order picking more dangerous and awkward. So then, it is better to have one good set of Safety Steps for each aisle.<\/p>\n
Mobility<\/strong><\/p>\n Safety Handles and a Handrail on the Platform<\/strong><\/p>\n Mesh or Anti-slip rubber treads?<\/strong><\/p>\n This largely comes down to the environment you work in, the footwear you use each day and what products you have to ‘pick’. A mesh tread is still anti-slip because the rubber on the soles of your boots dig in a little into the mesh creating the grip. However the rubber tread steps are the most reliable as the the anti-slip surface is uninterrupted across the whole of the step. Rubber tread versions should not be used for\u00a0chemical storage applications (more on that later).<\/p>\n The footwear required for use in a warehouse is steel toe and midsole boots. These have deep\u00a0nitrile rubber soles (these are also anti-slip), therefore both tread options are suitable to use with this type of footwear. An example of the correct footwear for warehouse use can be found on our product page.<\/a><\/p>\n Manual Lifting guidelines<\/strong><\/p>\n The size and weight of the boxes in your warehouse determines whether warehouse steps are suitable for ‘picking’ using people power or whether a forklift or other lifting aid is required. For the benefit of this blog I will assume you are moving boxes around using manpower and that the weight and dimensions of each item stored is a reasonably safe lifting weight and shape. For clarity a man can generally lift up to 20kg at elbow height (and close to the torso) and a woman can carry up to 13kg in the same way. As your employees’ safety is paramount I would recommend you read these helpful Manual Lifting Guidelines<\/a> before making a decision on the mobile safety steps required for the job.<\/p>\n Our\u00a0Warehouse Steps – all the features you’ll ever need from quality mobile safety steps<\/strong><\/p>\n A lot of planning went into creating our new mobile safety steps<\/a>. We asked our customers what they needed then we did our own research…<\/p>\n EN131 compliant<\/strong><\/p>\n In the UK there are not many warehouse steps that are EN131 and EN14183 compliant. This is usually because employers typically use a product to failure. However times have changed and new regulations have been formed. EN131 is the updated European (inc UK) classification. It replaced the old British Class II Ladder Standard. It is a ladder classification that applies to commercial and trade work up to a max operating weight of 150kg (that includes the weight of the person and the package they are picking).<\/p>\n Just to say: If the total weight exceeds reasonable (and legal) manual lifting loads\u00a0at your premises then you should change it and change it fast. A system that calls for excessive weights to be hauled around manually shouldn’t be implemented anyway. This isn’t pre-industrial revolution Britain after all. Carrying excessive weight is dangerous and will cause injury. Consider forklift trucks, reach trucks and other picking vehicles that are built for the job. A machine breaks down but can be fixed. The human body\u00a0on the other hand may not be so easily repairable.<\/em><\/p>\n REACH compliant<\/strong><\/p>\n Another industry recognised European Union regulation is\u00a0REACH.\u00a0This stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals. ‘Where does this fit in with mobile safety steps?’ you may ask, well the scope of REACH applies to chemical substances manufactured or imported into the EU in quantities of 1 tonne or more per year. Therefore these mobile safety steps can be used safely and integrated into\u00a0chemical storage environments. Our\u00a0Warehouse Steps are ideal for (but not limited to) such applications as laboratory storage systems (eg. the safe handling of acids and alkalis), workshops, housekeeping &\u00a0cleaning supplies and pesticide storage. This is why there are mesh treads and anti-slip rubber tread versions. The rubber tread versions do afford varying degrees of\u00a0resistance dependant on the solution spilt, however this uncertainty is a good enough reason to use Mesh Tread versions ONLY in chemical storage environments.<\/p>\n Basically to compromise the integrity of the rubber treads will render the mobile safety steps as unsafe. They are intended to prevent slips not cause them. A simple re-evaluation of your premises and it’s operations will\u00a0reveal any defects and flaws. By doing this at least you have the opportunity to address these flaws. As a business we offer many chemical storage solutions and products that aid storage and we will guide you as much as possible to ensure you meet current and new regulations as they come in.<\/em><\/p>\n If you have a requirement for versatile warehouse or safe steps then hopefully this blog has gone some way into steering you in the right direction.<\/p>\n The perfect solution for your warehouse is only a Live Chat<\/a> away.<\/p>\n PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: INDUSTRIAL WORKBENCH\u00a0BLOG POST: Last month\u00a0we published our Industrial Workbench Blog Post to show you how the versatility of our product that we manufacture can really benefit your warehouse. Seamlessly integrate a run of bespoke workbenches easily into your warehousing processes. It contains useful information and is worth a read<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What are the characteristics of good Warehouse Steps? Well, before you buy please read the ‘Manual Lifting guidelines’ section below. Flexibility The first thing to mention is flexibility. For example it makes perfect sense to have steps (with safety castors) that can operate up and down an order picking face. These are usually stored at the end of each shelving or racking aisle so that the user can move ‘to and fro’ in front of the order picking face without the need for excessive sets of steps per aisle. Extra sets of<\/p>\n![\"Mobile-Safety-Steps-Retractable-Spring-Loaded-Castors\"](\"https:\/\/www.workplace-products.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Mobile-Safety-Steps-Retractable-Spring-Loaded-Castors.jpg\")
<\/a>If it is steps for a warehouse that you require then we must consider the quality and safety of the castors attached. Our previous and current customers always highlight that their old steps were prone to sliding on some gradients and shiny floors (when using traditional fixed castors). The solution to this is to have heavy duty spring loaded castors that are designed to safely lower when a weight is applied and raise again to make the steps mobile when not in use. However the introduction of a spring means that a wheel guard is required to ‘house’ the whole assembly. This means that nothing can get caught or ‘snag’ in the spring when in use. Each pressed steel guard turns into a stabilising foot when in use and cannot scratch your warehouse floor. An industrial plastic foot is securely attached around the rim of each guard.<\/p>\n![\"Mobile-Safety-Steps-Safety-Handles\"](\"https:\/\/www.workplace-products.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Mobile-Safety-Steps-Safety-Handles.jpg\")
<\/a>It goes without saying that when working at height safety is the main concern. The simple handrail and handles form an effective barrier. The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) have a whole section published on their website to do with working at height. However I would like you to read their\u00a0HSE – “Common work at height myths<\/a>“. It is a great webpage dispelling many working at height myths particularly to do with stepladder usage. Please note that 5 tread versions have 2 extra handles to steady you as you climb the steps.<\/p>\n