Company employees and facility managers should take steps to ensure there are no unnecessary safety risks in product handling and delivery. However, some merchandise is dangerous by design and businesses need to put extra effort into distribution practices.
Government regulators also pay extra attention to dangerous goods and how companies transport them. In 2015, the International Air Transport Association amended their Dangerous Goods Regulations for both private airline passengers and industry cargo, according to Supply Chain 24/7. The new revisions affect the handling, labeling and storage of potentially hazardous items.
Companies must consider all government rules and basic safety requirements when working with materials that are corrosive, explosive or poisonous. Many businesses keep the necessary details visible in a centralized enterprise software system. An inventory control solution that collects, compare and shares data is crucial for informed and safe supply chain procedures.
Information reduces risk Real-time data practices create a full account for dangerous products. A centralized software system utilized by workers, warehouse managers and distribution teams provides visibility for every step in the supply chain. It also gives supervisors the tools they need to design smarter movement procedures.
Supply Chain Brain explained how Dow Chemical restructured its distribution practices with efficiency and safety in mind. Dow moves a variety of hazardous materials to locations around the world. The company used information from a variety of sources to create shorter shipment paths, increase the visibility of merchandise and acquire new shipment containers.
Any company that distributes dangerous goods must make sure there are no redundancies or superfluous steps in their processes. The risk of problem increase every time someone has to move an item. By displaying activities in a unified system, managers can compare every action to safety requirements. Any troublesome trends or outliers are visible in a complete data history.
Provide data for every employee Every person who handles a dangerous item should have access to crucial details. Warehouse workers and delivery drivers should know what the material is, handling requirements and the risks of exposure. A company can provide their employees with mobile data tools when they need to check and update information from any location.
Industry Week stated batteries, perfumes and other products may contain chemicals that could prove hazardous. A company has to be aware of every potential threat. Products that are explosive, flammable, toxic, radioactive or corrosive need proper labeling. Warehouse workers can use mobile devices to check full histories of products and best practices for handling to prevent risks.
Inventory control employees should update each movement into the central warehouse management system. Workers who use scanners or other mobile tools to update supervisors contribute to the supply chain history of dangerous goods. Real-time information practices prevent managers from missing possible threats. A complete and accurate record is also important for staying in legal compliance. Companies need internal audits and complete accounts to ensure their supply chains are safe and can continue without government interference.
Managers who have to keep a close eye on company products should check out the Data Sheet: DMS Physical Inventory Count Module.
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