The word ‘audit’ can sometimes be viewed with negative connotations, especially in the business or commercial realm. But the purpose of auditing is to help you assess, understand and improve areas of your business that may not be working as effectively or safely as possible, and should be seen as an opportunity for improvement. They help prevent accidents and ensure operations are running smoothly and productively. While traditional audits cover areas of occupational health and safety (OH&S), equipment and processes, you may not have considered undertaking a storage-audit to make the most of your available space and improve internal and external efficiencies.
Below we look at three audit types that could significantly improve efficiency and reduce costs within your business:
1. Safety Audits
It’s a legal requirement to ensure all employees are working in a safe and healthy environment. Regular checks should be scheduled to review existing safety measures and identify any potential dangers. Assessing and identifying risks and hazards will make the workplace safer and may also prevent workplace injuries and costly payouts.
While some workplaces, like warehouses or construction sites, are naturally more dangerous, safety audits can also be valuable in the office and retail industries too. You can look at the desks and chairs, height of counters and registers or computers and consider your employees’ overall health, wellbeing and happiness.
Want to know more about improving health and safety in your workplace? Read our blogs on 6 Health Benefits of Ergonomic Chairs and Improving Warehouse Safety with Storage Audits.
2. Equipment Audits
It’s important to conduct regular audits on machinery and equipment to ensure it’s maintained properly and working effectively.
As part of your workplace OH&S routine, consider whether your employees are operating equipment correctly and facilitate training days if there are any grey areas about how they should be using them.
Taking into account the age of equipment is also an essential consideration. When equipment is looked after well it can last for years, but if it is neglected then it can slow down productivity or become a safety hazard to employees. While wear and tear is inevitable after years of use, sometimes it’s better to upgrade and replace equipment and machinery entirely rather than spending more time and money on ongoing maintenance.
3. Storage Audits
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to setting up an efficient storage system as it depends on the needs of each individual business. However, conducting a general storage audit will allow you to look at your current storage system in terms of efficiency, security, quality and cost effectiveness, and look for ways to improve.
The most commonly overlooked storage areas are back-of-house stockrooms and picking areas – which are at the very heart of your business operations and efficiencies! These areas need to be in tip-top shape so staff can find stock, and handle and prepare orders quickly and with ease. Optimising these areas will not only save time and money, but can help you plan for future growth and enhance employee satisfaction and productivity.
At All Storage Systems, we strive to help your business improve workplace efficiencies. We offer complete warehouse design services from layout to product selection, warehouse auditing and complete installation. No matter your industry, our team of specialists can design the perfect shelving and storage systems to suit your warehouse.
Contact our sales team on 1800 772 726 or sales@allstoragesystems.com.au for advice, book an audit or organise a free fitout consultation.
