As nice as summer weather can be, it’s important to be aware of how it impacts warehouse management. Higher temperatures can pose overheating risks to your staff. In particularly harsh dry spells, less water may be available and local authorities might impose water use restrictions, which could impact some of your essential processes.

Summer warehouse management also has its own share of safety concerns. Consider how surfaces such as metal panels absorb sunlight, intensifying heat buildup within the warehouse. In some cases, they may even spark fires. Fire risk also increases outside, with dry conditions coupled with high temperatures increasing the likelihood of wildfires endangering warehouse property.

With the potential danger posed by overheating, workplaces must comply with requirements set by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). As well as maintaining worker health and safety, this also helps businesses stay on target with key deliverables. 

How can I prepare my warehouse for hot weather?

The HSE requires that workspaces are kept at a comfortable temperature, with local heating or cooling provided by the employer when necessary. This requires both preparing the working space and being ready to respond when more help is needed.

Preventative steps for warehouse heat management include:

• Regularly undertake a temperature risk assessment to review potential dangers and solutions in your workspace. This can include investing in more energy-efficient cooling methods to also reduce your summer expenditure and carbon emissions.
• Follow a schedule for  inspecting and maintaining warehouse ventilation and air conditioning systems to ensure they are functioning optimally. This also includes windows, which should be openable to circulate air.
• Install shading such as window film or blinds to reduce exposure to sunlight. This can help prevent overheating for machinery and staff.
• Encourage team members to regularly use hydration stations. You must also provide rest stations where staff can take breaks, not just shaded areas.
• Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for working in high temperatures, such as cooling vests.
• Restructure operations so staff can work away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Organise training on heat exhaustion and stress prevention, as well as fire prevention and response.
• Apply insulation to heated pipes and cover other machinery to reduce temperatures and prevent burns.
• Consider installing backup generators to prevent disruptions in case of power outages.
• Ensure emergency items like fire extinguishers are available, maintained and inspected regularly.

Managers can also take active steps to reduce warehouse temperatures:

• Open doors and windows during the cooler hours of the day to ventilate the warehouse.
• Try to keep doors closed during the hottest hours whenever they are not in use. Also, be sure to regulate the opening and closing speed of automatic doors.
• Relaxed dress codes where safe to do so, such as allowing staff to wear t-shirts or shorts.
• Take extra steps to provide cool water to staff.
• Consider allowing longer breaks and recovery periods.
• Reschedule work days so the most heat-generating activities take place during cooler parts of the day.

Managing warehouses during summer holidays

With most people taking holidays in the summer, you may have fewer employees around. Your warehouse could even be empty for extended periods if you close down operations over the summer. 

However, being able to enjoy quieter periods requires preparation. If not spotted and addressed beforehand, minor issues can escalate into major disruptions. 

Key lessons for managing warehouses during summer periods include:

• Don’t leave operations unattended: Without proper monitoring for non-essential systems, any malfunctions or utility failures could cause serious downtime.
• Have sufficient security: Vacant warehouses are more susceptible to criminal activities such as vandalism, arson, or theft, especially during periods of reduced supervision. You can secure the premises by locking gates, conducting regular patrols and investing in adequate perimeter fencing and security services to deter unauthorised access. 
• Training new staff: If you use temporary or seasonal employees, they may not have the same training on operational and safety procedures. This can increase the risk of accidents and injuries within the workplace. Making enough time for additional training is key to ensuring stable operations.
• Get proper coverage: Ensure that your contents and equipment are insured in the event of an issue. This can also require that the property itself is adequately protected.
• Take time to check on things: During periods of absence, have a qualified individual conduct regular inspections of the property. This should allow them to identify any potential issues promptly.

If you are planning for your warehouse to shut down during the summer, you must also take steps for fire prevention. Basic measures include:

• Ensure the hydrant system is working well.
• Strictly control the buildup of combustible debris.
• Do not store dumpsters, bins, or other combustible rubbish against buildings or under canopies.
• Wherever possible, limit yard storage and keep it at least 10 meters away from the main buildings and important equipment.

Maintaining your property during summer

Hot, dry weather brings its own maintenance challenges for warehouse managers. However, quieter periods with fewer people are also ideal for routine upkeep, as well as preparation for the wet season later in the year. 

Key areas for warehouse maintenance during the summer months include:

• Drains and gutters: Remove debris blocking or restricting roof drains and gutters. Also be sure to check for missing debris covers over interior roof drains.
• Roof maintenance: Dry weather is perfect for taking care of your roof. Ensure any screws are in good working condition. Check for flashing that has loose or missing fasteners, as well as missing joint covers, holes, corrosion, or cracked or weathered sealants. Finally, look for any loose, open or deteriorated stripping material sealing the roof to the flashing.
• Take care with metal: If you have a metal roof system, check for missing or loose fasteners, fasteners with missing or deteriorated flexible gaskets, panels that have holes, cracks, severe deformation or severe corrosion, panel clips with severe corrosion, and damage to seams that can leak water.
• Look after your tiles: For tile roofs, check for missing, cracked or loose tiles, missing or corroded fasteners, and any spalling, flaking, erosion or other deterioration of the tiles.
• Address deterioration: If your roof is damaged, take action while the weather is dry. In smaller cases, you may consider spraying polyurethane foam.
• Add features to deal with sunlight: Consider adding reflective shades/covers to your roof if possible. This will help reduce heat absorption during particularly sunny weather.
• Clean the warehouse: Cleaning your warehouse of any dust or debris not only creates a nicer working environment, it also helps air conditioners, industrial equipment and ventilation operate at peak efficiency.
• Interior painting: Certain paints are capable of reflecting a greater amount of heat. Light colours are also a big help, reducing heat absorption and lowering working temperatures.
• Resealing: Sealing any gaps helps prevent the loss of cool air, so keep an eye on windows, doors and elsewhere. This also gives you greater control over air flow and helps AC units operate more efficiently.

Want to find out more about how Mileway approaches summer warehouse management? Contact a member of our team today.