Thursday, May 29, 2014

Material Handling Operations Safety in the Warehouse

Material handling in the warehouse requires proper procedures and safety measures to ensure accurate and trouble-free operations. Warehouse storage systems, together with all its accessories, must be handled properly and safely to avoid potential warehouse hazards.

Whether you're using equipment or lifting and carrying the materials by yourself, here are some material handling operations safety measures that workers in the warehouse must keep in mind at all times.



1. When driving forklift trucks inside the warehouse, be sure to do this safely and carefully. It is important that only authorized personnel should have an access to the forklift truck. It is essential to know that forklifts have a high center of gravity and can tip over if not driven slowly and carefully by trained, authorized operators.

2. When placing items in the forklift, arrange them properly. Materials placed improperly on the forks, or lifted or placed incorrectly, can easily slip. That's a hazard to the operator and to others in the area.

3. Forklift operators must understand their machines and follow the rules of the road. Pedestrians must be on the lookout for forklifts at all times and stay out of the way when they're in use.

4. Cranes, hoists, and derricks should be operated only by trained operators who know enough to keepfrom swinging a load over people or to remove their hands or feet from controls while a load issuspended. In addition, anyone who works in the vicinity must pay attention to crane movements to avoid accidents.

5. Never stand or work under a crane.

6. Stay away from tools with heavy or unbalanced loads that couldfall over and cause serious injuries—even fatal ones.

7. Never use ladders that are not rated for thetask, not in good condition, or not used properly, someone could take a bad fall.

These are just some safety measures that every worker in the warehouse should observe to ensure that material handling operations are performed perfectly. For more information about warehouse storage solutions, visit http://www.msshouston.com/warehouse-mezzanines/warehouse-storage-solutions.htm.

Image sorce - http://www.securedgenetworks.com/Portals/80068/images/warehouse%20wireless.jpg

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Racking System Installation Tips


Whether you are building a racking system for your home or office, here are some useful installation tips that you should keep in mind to help your run your project smoothly.

1. Before you start, take an inventory of your materials and equipment to be used. Don’t focus only on the equipment that you will be mounting right now. Instead, take into consideration any components that you may decide to add in the future, and make sure to provide space allowances for them.

2. Consult with a professional. If this is the first time that you will install racking systems, do not hesitate to get advice from a carpenter, a contractor, or an electrician.

3. Make sure that you have complete and appropriate tools on hand. It is better that you collect all the tools that you will need ahead of time, instead of getting them one by one as you need them. A good base of tools to start with should include a tape measure, a pencil, a hammer, a flashlight, both Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers, and a level.

4. Plan ahead and map things out in advance. Drawing a diagram of how your rack system will look like should be a good start.

5. Get a friend or family member involved in the project. Having another person around to help you with heavy lifting and other tasks is always a good idea.

6. Perform your racking system project in a cool, dry place. Networking and home theater components can generate a lot of heat, and it’s important for your equipment to continuously be kept cool by rack-mount fans, vented enclosure panels or ventilation units.

7. Do not forget to measure. Using the tape measure, measure appropriately and make sure that you allow enough room for your equipment before you bolt in all of the shelves.

8. Clean up. Once the installation is done and mounted in place, clean up and store away your tools. You may be able to use them on your next racking system project.

If all else fails, contact rack system manufacturers and seek for their assistance. For more information about racking systems, visit http://msshouston.com/pipe-racks.html.

Image Source- http://www.pdindustrial.co.uk/Images/DBImages/CaseStudies/gallery-pallet-racking-installation-001.jpg

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Your Options for a Tie Rack

Tie racks are storage racking systems for neck ties. They keep neck ties and other accessories such as belts, scarves, and handkerchiefs neatly, wrinkle-free, and tangle-free. They are space-saving systems that provide organization to many small clothing pieces that are usually left lying around the floor in a room. Tie racks are essential to every men’s room.


Types of Tie Racks

Fixed tie racks – Fixed tie rocks are designed to be mounted on walls, doors, or cabinets. They feature a vertical or horizontal linear design that allows easy access to neck ties. They come in a wide variety of sizes, holding about 10 to 50 neck ties at ones. They are easy to install and do not require so much space.

Rotatable tie racks – Rotatable tie racks often feature a circular design. They are intended to be rotated, allowing the user to easily browse through his neck ties and providing him with easy access. Most models come with a stable base and thick, long pole that secures the rack, while others are designed to be hung from a cabinet ceiling. They come in a wide variety of sizes, holding about 10 to 30 neck ties at ones.

Revolving tie racks – Revolving tie racks are motorized racks that revolve automatically, providing easy browsing and accessing of ties. They offer better organization of neck ties than fixed and rotatable models, keeping ties neat and untangled. They can hold up to 70 neck ties and other accessories such as belts and scarves. However, they require large space and require batteries or electricity to operate.

Things to Consider when Purchasing Tie Racks

Choose a tie rack that enables you to keep a large number of neck ties neatly and tangle-free. Getting one large tie that accommodates all your neck ties rack is better than installing several small racks that hold few neck ties only. For more information about racking systems, especially for corporate and warehouse use, visit http://msshouston.com/pipe-racks.html.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Maintenance Tips for Equipment Platforms

Equipment platforms are storage systems designed to elevate equipment and machineries to maximize space and avoid easy access from employees. Also used for maintenance purposes, these platforms are used in many types of industries and for many different applications.


Typical equipment pieces that are placed on top of platforms include boilers, water treatment equipment, pumping equipment, conveyor support, pipeline crossovers, and generators among many others. To ensure that these platforms will remain functional over a period of time and avoid immediate damage, here are some maintenance tips to keep in mind.

1. Install the equipment platform away from busy areas in the warehouse or facility. Ensure that it cannot be accessed readily by anyone, but authorized personnel only. This will avoid any accident that may happen when the equipment or the platform suddenly breaks or falls down.

2. Identify the maximum weight capacity of the equipment platform and follow it religiously. Make sure that the total weight of the equipment placed on the platform will not exceed the given weight limit.

3. Equipment platforms come in all sizes and shapes and have multiple uses. Install one that perfectly fits or is customized according to the size, shape, and weight of the equipment you are placing on it.

4. Choose an equipment platform that is made using high-grade and sturdy materials. Never sacrifice quality over a few savings on cost.

5. Regularly check and monitor usage of the platform. If you notice a damage, no matter how small, have a professional fix it right away. If you have to stop the operation of the equipment and bring it down for a while, do so. This will protect not just the equipment and the platform, but the employees in the warehouse, as well.

These are some of the ways on how you can maintain and take care of your equipment platform. For more information about warehouse storage systems, including equipment platforms, consult with the experts at MSS Houston or visit their website at http://msshouston.com/cantilever-racking-9/uncategorised/equipment-platforms.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Organizing and Stocking Products in the Warehouse

For retail businesses that require stocking of products in a warehouse, there are certain guidelines that need to be considered in order to organize and store the items in a properly and orderly manner. The use of warehouse storage solutions can be your best bet.


Here are some effective ways on how to organize and stock products in the warehouse.

1. Create labels on each boxes or containers, and stock similar products together. This will make it easy for employees to locate products when there is a need to get them.

2. Stock fast moving items in prime locations or areas that can easily be accessed. Meanwhile, slow-moving products can be stored at the back or in non-prime locations. This will reduce inconvenience and make storing and stocking more efficient.

3. Document and account every product that goes in and out of the storage. Prepare a log book or printed file where the officer in charge will do the recording. This will be useful, especially if you need to double check items in the future.

4. Consider replenishment. When a particular set of products are taken away, will you be replenishing its stocks? If so, store them in the same location where the previous set was located. Otherwise, you may want to use that space in storing another product of similar value.

5. If the space in your warehouse is not sufficient anymore to the number and volume of stocks you are storing, it is best to have another storage solution installed so operation will not be stalled.

These are just some of the ways on how you can efficiently organize and stock products in your warehouse. For more information about warehouse storage solutions, consult with the experts at MSS Houston or visit their website at http://www.msshouston.com/warehouse-mezzanines/warehouse-storage-solutions.htm.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Material Storage Solutions, Inc. -

Customer service is not a department, but a culture that resonates throughout the entire company. Contact us today for more information @ 281-446-7144 or check out our website http://msshouston.com/.

Material Storage Systems, Inc. - Our Philosophy


Established in 1993, Material Storage Systems, Inc. is located in Humble, Texas just outside of Houston. We specialize in the design & engineering of warehouse storage systems, manufacturing structural steel mezzanines and platforms, fabrication of custom steel products and consulting.