Different uses for storage cabinets
No matter what type of job you work in, you’re bound to have relied on storage at some point ...
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From bedroom wardrobes to high-security vaults, there are many different types of storage used around the world on a day to day basis. Some may be more specialised than others, however, their purpose remains the same: to keep items organised and out of sight, for whatever reason. Storage cabinets are also used in all different environments, from domestic to commercial properties, and are an integral part of workplaces across the globe. For this reason, they’re one of the most important parts of any office, healthcare building or industrial warehouse.
As storage experts, we at Racking + Shelving are well aware of the importance of storage boxes and cabinets in professional environments. With this in mind, we discuss some of the main reasons why they deserve so much attention and some of the ways they’re used in particular industries.
The benefits of storage cabinets
No matter what type of job you work in, you’re bound to have relied on storage at some point or another - even if you don’t realise you’re doing it! Whether you work as a receptionist and frequently file important documents away, or you’re a pharmacist who needs to store medicine in a controlled environment, putting things in and taking things out of storage is sure to be a big part of your day. But, why is the right storage so important at work?
Without storage, your employees are likely to spend much more time than they really need to finding stock or important documents. As a result, your business won’t be working as efficiently as it should be - something that will see you lose money over time. For this reason, making sure you’ve got an organised storage system that your employees can navigate quickly and easily should be a priority for every business.
When you’re considering ways to make your work environment a safer place to be, you might not consider storage a vital aspect. However, it really does pay to be organised, especially when it comes to safety. After all, making sure your work floor is tidy and uncluttered is a simple yet effective way to prevent accidents from occurring. This is true whether you work in an industrial warehouse and need to prevent staff from tripping over stock, or if you work in a kitchen and need to keep foods from cross contaminating. Making sure everything in your workplace has a designated space is a crucial part of promoting employee safety.
When it comes to remaining professional and helping your business maintain a positive professional reputation, it’s important to consider the layout of your workplace. After all, if you welcome potential business partners or customers into your office and they’re faced with piles of stock, they’re unlikely to get the best impression of your business. Alternatively, if you can demonstrate that you’re extremely organised, it’ll certainly work in your favour by making you appear much more competent as a business.
The benefits of using storage cabinets in the workplace far extend these three, however, these are perhaps the most significant. Of course, how storage boxes are used and why they’re so important varies from job to job, as we discuss here.
Different uses for metal storage cabinets
No matter what job environment you work in, it’s likely you’ll need metal storage cabinets to keep stock, chemicals or important documents safe on a daily basis. Here are just some of the ways storage cabinets are used:
When you work in supply and demand, you’ll know just how important it is to make sure you and your employees are organised. Without efficient systems in place, it’s inevitable that you’ll waste valuable time and money. From stock going missing to employees taking double the amount of time to find certain items, there are a variety of problems that can occur if you don’t invest in effective storage systems.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get organised when you work in a warehouse, including shelving and racking solutions, metal storage cabinets and specialist cupboards . When choosing storage cabinets for your warehouse, it’s always advisable to discuss your requirements with the experts. That way, you’ll be able to find the right storage for your specific needs.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential in every workplace that poses a risk to personal safety, including construction sites, factories and warehouses. Not only does it look extremely professional, but steel-capped boots, high visibility jackets and hard hats also keep workers safe and prevent injury from occurring.
For this reason, all PPE should be stored correctly in every workplace, allowing employees to access it if and when they need to. Messy piles of work clothes and shoes don’t promote a safe environment, so it’s important to find suitable storage solutions for your workplace to keep all PPE neat, tidy and out of the way. With an easy-to-read “Personal Protective Equipment” label, PPE storage cabinets can also be identified quickly to save employees time.
Even if you don’t work in a medical environment, it’s highly likely that you’ll need to keep medical supplies on site in case of accident or injury. From plasters to bandages, it’s important to keep these in a safe and organised place to make sure you can access them without delay. After all, if you aren’t sure where your first aid kit is, you simply aren’t doing enough to create a safe space for your employees.
This aside, it isn’t enough to store your medical hygiene supplies and equipment in any old storage container. Dedicated medical cabinets have been designed to be especially hygienic, in a way that just isn’t necessary for documentation and PPE, making them suitable for storing medical clothing and equipment. With a highly recognisable design complete with a green medical cross, these cabinets are also easy to identify in times of need.
Making sure all hazardous waste is stored properly is essential in any workplace, as the consequences of chemical spills or burns could be huge. Without the appropriate storage, chemicals could cause damage to important machinery, injure employees or even cause electrical shortages. For this reason, it’s imperative that all workplace managers invest in dedicated hazardous waste storage cabinets.
As with medical equipment, hazardous waste must not be stored in just any metal cabinet. Storage for toxic waste must adhere to all relevant guidelines and must be flame resistant, not to mention having reinforced doors to prevent hazardous material from falling into the wrong hands. Whether you need to store disinfectants, pesticides or petroleum, it’s essential to make sure you have the right kind of storage cabinets in the workplace.
COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) storage cabinets are another essential for every workplace, especially in environments where children may be around. COSHH metal storage cabinets can be used to store substances that are corrosive, volatile or reactive, and must be used according to strict safety standards to prevent leaks or spillages from occurring. As it’s highly important that the chemicals in the cabinet are only accessed by those with permission to do so, COSHH cabinets are designed with reinforced doors and a variety of locks.
If you work in a laboratory or a school with a dedicated science department, you will almost certainly need somewhere safe to store acids and alkali. Unless you keep these substances in a controlled environment, you may experience a wide range of potentially dangerous issues. From chemical fires to burns, the list of dangers that could occur as a result of leaks and spills goes on.
To keep these substances in a safe place and out of reach from vulnerable people, your chosen storage facility needs to have reinforced doors that can be locked securely. The cabinet must also be labelled clearly to make sure everyone is aware of the dangers of the substances inside and therefore the need to act carefully.
Racking + Shelving: Efficient storage solutions including pallet racking, industrial shelving, metal cabinets and more
As storage experts, we at Racking + Shelving understand the importance of reliable storage cabinets in the workplace. Whether you work in the healthcare sector or retail, making sure you’ve got the appropriate storage systems in place is essential to keeping your employees safe and your workspace organised. That’s why we supply only the highest quality metal storage cabinets for use across a wide range of applications, including the ones we’ve discussed above. So, if you’re in need of industrial cupboards, hazardous cabinets, PPE storage or COSHH containers, look no further than Northern Ireland’s leading storage experts, Racking + Shelving.
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