IS WAREHOUSE DUST KILLING YOUR PRODUCTIVITY?
Think warehouse dust is just a nuisance? Think again.
Warehouse dust is not only a nuisance, it could be costing you and your employees dearly. Dust is a major cause of respiratory illness, can contribute to slip and fall hazards, and can damage machinery and heavy equipment. All of these things can negatively impact productivity.
HUMAN COSTS OF DUST
The human respiratory system is a very fragile environment. Even small amounts of dust can wreak havoc on those with respiratory illness and allergic tendencies. Household dust is composed mostly of dead skin cells, bits of bugs, feces, and hair. Warehouse dust can include a variety of particles and debris that are harmful to the respiratory system. Depending on the types of products that your warehouse stores, dust can include asbestos, silica, and wood dust. All of which can be deadly (//www.haspod.com/blog/health/dust-hazards-in-the-workplace).
EQUIPMENT COSTS OF WAREHOUSE DUST
Dust is not only affecting your Human Resources, it is impacting your equipment resources as well. Dust build-up in machinery is a major contributor to equipment failure and a major part of equipment maintenance. Failure to remediate the effects of dust on warehouse equipment can result in an increased repair and replacement costs.
DUST AND HARD SURFACES
Dust does not only impact the health and longevity of your staff and equipment, it also takes a toll on your physical assets like floors, shelving, and work surfaces. Dust buildup on hard surfaces increases the likelihood of scratching; scratching decreases the useful life of hard surfaces. Most hard surfaces are equipped with a protective barrier of some type. These may be as simple as a polyurethane coating or as complex as a rust-proof coating designed to extend the life of metal surfaces. One scratch = less protection = shorter useful life.
WHY WAREHOUSE DUST IS DIFFERENT
Warehouses represent a unique environment. They are typically large, high-ceilinged facilities with enormous shelving systems and expansive floors. These types of buildings are a magnet for dust and their very size makes dust removal difficult. Simply sweeping the floor in a large warehouse can take hours without the right equipment and the floor is only half the battle.
While cleaning staff may be able to manage the dust that accumulates on your floors throughout the day, they are really only scratching the surface when it comes to warehouse dust. Because of the high ceilings typical of warehouse environments, dust can linger high above the floor. Most of this dust goes unnoticed but the reality is, it will be on the floor in the morning.
HOW TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF WAREHOUSE DUST
In order to properly manage the dust in your warehouse, you need specialized equipment, PPE, and trained cleaning staff. You need intelligent cleaning and dusting techniques and processes that remove rather than spread the dust in your warehouse.
Professional warehouse and distribution center cleaning companies can bring the equipment and expertise required to truly eliminate dust in your facility. They utilize lots and backpack vacuums, HEPA filters, and floor sweepers that are specifically designed to do battle with warehouse dust. They use processes that start from the top and work their way down to mitigate the dispersion of dust particles. Plus, they do the work while your workers are gone so that nobody is exposed to the hazards of warehouse dust and you do not experience any business interruptions.
NEED HELP WITH YOUR WAREHOUSE DUST?
Complete Care Maintenance understands the complexities of managing warehouse dust. We can provide you with a free facility evaluation, on-site walkthrough, and guaranteed written quote for services. Don’t let warehouse dust impede your productivity. Call or contact a professional warehouse cleaner today.
