6 Ways to Maintain Social Distancing, New Normal in Warehouses

Nearly half of the United States may have eased its stay-at-home mandates in recent weeks, but steep challenges still remain for manufacturing and distribution centers, noted commercial real estate services provider Cushman & Wakefield.

The contagious coronavirus places a new emphasis on social distancing in warehouse environments originally designed for employees to work in close proximity. However, processes can be adjusted and suggestions were compiled from various logistics, industrial and production experts and specialists, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

From encouraging remote working to readjusting work breaks and shift changes, Cushman & Wakefield outlined six recommendations for creating social distancing measures and adjusting to the “new normal” in warehouses.

New measures shouldn’t begin as the employees return, Cushman & Wakefield noted. First, the company should implement disinfecting procedures in accordance with governing authorities and/or best practices before employees return. Along with cleaning, mechanical, HVAC, fire and other “life safety” systems should be available, and municipal occupational health and safety guidelines should be reviewed for updated procedures.

The company should also consider workers’ shift patterns and remind workers of protocols for starting and ending their shift to avoid productivity bottlenecks. Vendors and drivers should also be informed of any new protocols, Cushman & Wakefield added. The checklist also noted companies could consider if office-based workers can work remotely to reduce on-site employees.

For employees that must work on-site, experts suggested developing clear plans for entering and existing the facility. The checklist included banning visitors to the building and possibly creating restrooms/washrooms for temporary external drivers. Experts also recommended considering temperature checks and/or requiring workers to self-monitor for symptoms and adjusting stay-at-home sick policies when employees have symptoms.

With no vaccine in sight, social distancing has become the go-to answer for combating the virus and warehouses should adjust their work environments to continue that measure, Cushman & Wakefield argued. Industry specialists recommendations included leveraging a mobile app for clocking in/out, staggering break times, increasing space between production stations and leveraging electronics instead of in-person meetings .

Companies should also be prepared to disinfect shared equipment between shifts, experts said. Likewise, organizations should provide additional sanitizers/disinfectant and removable touch screen film at shared touch points, including work equipment and vending machines, experts recommended.

Lastly, companies need to confidently communicate to their employees, Cushman & Wakefield wrote. Companies can project confidence by being unified as employees return to the warehouse. The company should also establish two-way communication, clearly set employee expectations with an emphasis on making them feel secure and ensure a trusting and transparent culture.