If your facility or warehouse constantly has safety incidents, are on OSHA’s radar, or if you are always stuck putting out fires, maybe it’s time to take a different approach.
Did you know warehouse injuries reached 5.5 per 100 workers in 2021, compared to 4.0 injuries just the year prior? Also, did you know that cargo losses across all carriers are in excess of $30 billion each year worldwide? The reality is that warehouse safety these days isn’t just about keeping your workers safe.
It’s about keeping everything safe.
And there is a solution that addresses both issues simultaneously.
Wire mesh security cages and partitions from suppliers like KABTech are transforming the way warehouses solve their safety and security challenges.
And they’re simple to deploy.
What you’ll learn:
- Why wire mesh security is more important than ever
- The biggest dangers hiding in plain sight
- How wire security cages prevent accidents before they happen
- Setting up your wire mesh system
- Tracking the hard safety numbers
Wire Mesh Security Is More Important Than Ever
Think things are getting safer in warehouses thanks to technology and more aware employees? Think again.
Warehouse injuries and accident rates are out of control. There are 95 million lost work days every year from slip and fall accidents alone. Warehouses have never been more dangerous than they are right now.
Here’s the problem:
Warehouses are busier than ever. Processing more product. Employees moving faster. Forklifts everywhere.
It’s a hectic environment.
Accidents happen in chaos.
Wire mesh security cages force order on that chaos. Order that doesn’t slow operations down. They create boundaries that control traffic flow and direct people. They separate hazardous areas from the rest of the facility.
Pretty brilliant.
The Biggest Dangers Hiding in Plain Sight
The most dangerous areas of your warehouse aren’t where you think they are.
Everyone focuses on the loading docks because that’s where shipping and receiving traffic is. Forklifts are crossing paths there. Boxes are being moved all over. Makes sense to worry about that area.
But here’s something you may not know:
There are 20,000 forklift accidents every year that injure workers operating forklifts. And of those injuries, 25% are when the forklift overturns.
Terrifying.
The most accident prone areas in your warehouse are:
- High-value inventory locations where people hustle
- Equipment storage areas with limited visibility
- Chemical storage areas lacking physical separation
- Tool cribs with no access control
Separation of these areas with wire mesh security cages will literally prevent accidents.
The cages provide a visual barrier that force people to slow down and pay attention. They allow clear visibility for hazards and issues so they can be spotted before they occur. They do it all without interrupting traffic flow or disrupting your processes.
How Wire Security Cages Stop Accidents Before They Happen
One thing safety managers fail to recognize:
Wire mesh partitions do more than just safely store your inventory. They change the way people flow through your facility.
Once you place wire mesh cages around forklift equipment or other areas of danger, you aren’t just protecting that area.
You are creating a visual indicator that says “danger ahead – be careful.”
They stop accidents by:
- Creating defined pathways to force foot traffic away from forklift lanes. Slips and falls. Collisions. They all reduce dramatically.
- Securing hazardous materials behind locked gates while still allowing visibility for inspections.
- Controlling access to high-risk areas so only qualified personnel are allowed entry.
- Preventing unauthorized workers from reaching dangerous tools or machinery.
Wire mesh safety cages are designed for visibility. No blind spots. Air and light pass through completely. They won’t interfere with your sprinkler systems, etc.
Unauthorized entry, though?
Impossible.
What You Risk By Skipping Safety Measures
Ever wonder what one warehouse accident costs your facility?
According to the National Safety Council, each incident you have averages $38,000 in direct costs. Throw in indirect costs? You could be at $150,000 per incident.
For one incident.
Multiply that by your total incident rate each year.
Scary, right?
Wait until you see what that doesn’t even include:
- Productivity losses during investigations
- Insurance rate increases
- OSHA fines if applicable
- Employee morale impact
- Customer delivery delays
Wire mesh safety systems may seem like an added cost. Compared to what you’re at risk of losing? It’s basically free.
Setting Up Your Wire Mesh Safety System
Thinking about using wire mesh security cages around your facility?
Wondering where to start? It’s easy.
Wire mesh systems are modular by design. This means you can start with the highest risk areas. And then add additional protections over time. All with no large construction projects or downtime.
Start with these key areas:
- Install driver cages at your loading docks. Control access to your facility. Keep untrained visitors from going into dangerous areas.
- Tool cribs with wire mesh enclosures to prevent workers from grabbing equipment they’re not trained on or qualified to use.
- Secure zones for high-value inventory. Less temptation. Fewer risks.
- Build wire mesh partitions around machinery and robotic equipment. Keep people at a safe distance while still maintaining visibility.
Installation is simple. Most systems use common hand tools. You anchor directly into your concrete floor. Change your mind later?
No problem. The modular design lets you reconfigure easily as needed.
Advanced Safety Features You Didn’t Know Were Available
Wait until you see the features available in today’s wire mesh systems…
Wire mesh security cages are so much more than just metal barriers.
They are customizable safety systems with features that will blow your mind.
Offering multiple locking options provides complete control. Basic keyed locks for low-risk areas. Electronic keypads for more sensitive zones. Biometric systems for high security.
Adjustable layouts to work around your current infrastructure. Columns in the way? Not a problem. Need variable heights? Easy. Sliding doors instead of hinged? Done.
And they can integrate with existing security systems.
Access control. Surveillance cameras. Alarm systems.
The options are endless.
And when you select a galvanized steel or similar material, these systems last forever. No rust. No deterioration. Reliable protection year after year.
How to Track Your Safety Success
Wondering how you know if your wire mesh security investment is paying off?
Track these metrics:
- Accident rates before vs. after installation. Typically see immediate improvement.
- Near-miss incidents. These should go down as obstacles prevent hazardous conditions.
- Time lost to injury. Less accidents means less downtime.
- Insurance claims. You will notice a dramatic reduction.
The data is clear. Facilities with wire mesh partitions show lower accident rates and reduced costs.
Mistakes People Make With Wire Mesh Safety Systems
Even with the best wire mesh systems, some facilities still struggle with safety incidents.
Why?
They make these common mistakes:
- Install cages without considering workflow. Don’t make security the new bottleneck.
- Select wrong mesh size. Too large, and hands can fit through. Too small, and visibility is reduced.
- Fail to anchor properly. Unanchored cages are dangerous.
- Forget about emergency access. Safety systems need to allow for evacuation.
Avoid these pitfalls and you will see maximum protection from wire mesh safety systems.
Wrapping It Up
Wire mesh security cages are not just an option for your storage and containment challenges. They are holistic safety systems that provide maximum protection for your people, your inventory, and your bottom line.
Warehouse injuries are increasing. Costs are exploding.
Do you really want to wait and find out how high they can get?
Wire mesh partitions pay for themselves through:
- Reduced accident rates
- Lower insurance costs
- Increased productivity
- Better inventory control
- Enhanced regulatory compliance
Do you remember those warehouse injury stats from earlier? The 5.5 injuries per 100 workers? The $38,000 per accident average?
Wire mesh security systems help facilities make those numbers a thing of the past.
Start with your highest risk areas. Then add additional protections as you can. Measure the results.
Before you know it, your warehouse will transform from a safety risk to a paragon of efficiency and safety.
Your workers will thank you. Your insurance provider will love you. Your bottom line?
It will tell you the difference.
