Safety is one of the top priorities in logistics, and technology is transforming the safety landscape. For 3PL companies handling warehousing, fulfillment, and transportation services, safety risks are not limited to the warehouse floor but extend to truck fleets and dock areas. Leveraging the latest safety tech can protect employees, optimize workflows, and reduce costly incidents.
Here’s a look at the top five safety technologies along with some of the tech Evans deploys in its day-to-day operations to keep employees safe and productive.
Truck Dashcams
Truck dashcams are becoming increasingly popular for 3PLs to improve both driver safety and accountability. These cameras, mounted on trucks, capture real-time video footage of a driver’s journey, and some systems even include inward-facing cameras to monitor driver behavior. With dashcams, 3PLs can gain insight into road conditions, identify risky driving behaviors, and provide evidence in case of incidents.
Evans has equipped our drivers with in-cab cameras to protect our fleet drivers. The Lytx cameras are dual-sided, capturing a 360-degree view from the front and inside the cab. The cloud-based technology features motion-censored recorders that hold up to 50 hours of real-time footage. The footage is only viewed when a hazard is detected. Cameras are outfitted with machine vision and artificial intelligence technology that is trained to identify dangers on the road and provide real-time alerts.
Benefits:
- Enhanced Driver Accountability: Dashcams discourage unsafe practices by giving drivers an added layer of responsibility.
- Accident Documentation: Dashcam footage can be essential for insurance claims or legal cases. Clear visual evidence can often expedite claim processes or resolve disputes.
- Behavioral Insights: With AI-powered dashcams, 3PLs can analyze drivers’ habits, such as speed patterns, distracted driving, or fatigue levels, and provide coaching or further training as needed.
Forklift Dashcams
Dashcams are not just for trucks but can also be used in warehousing. Forklifts are a central component of warehouse operations, and they can pose significant safety risks if not operated carefully. Installing dashcams on forklifts is a proactive way to improve operator safety and accountability. Forklift dashcams capture video of the operator’s environment, which helps in preventing collisions with equipment or employees and offers critical documentation if an accident occurs.
Evans has equipped our forklifts with dual-sides cameras like the camera systems used in our truck cabs. The cloud-based technology features motion-censored recorders that hold up to 50 hours of real-time footage. The footage is only viewed when a hazard is detected. This technology has helped with training our forklift drivers to be responsible and safe when working in our facilities.
Benefits:
- Accident Prevention: By observing real-time footage, supervisors can identify potential risks or unsafe behaviors and take corrective action before incidents happen.
- Training Aid: Video footage from forklift dashcams can be used as a training tool to demonstrate safe driving practices, or to show employees how to navigate complex areas of the warehouse.
- Insurance Savings: The ability to prove adherence to safety procedures with visual records can reduce insurance premiums for warehouses, lowering operational costs.
- Reduction in Damage Claims: In the event of a dispute regarding damaged goods, cameras can document the condition of the goods at various points of them in the care of a 3PL or transportation provider.
Environmental monitoring systems
Environmental monitoring systems track key factors like temperature, humidity, and air quality within the warehouse. Maintaining a safe working environment is crucial, and these systems help ensure optimal conditions to protect both the products and the workforce. Additionally, they can notify management of fluctuations that might pose a hazard to employees, such as extreme temperatures or chemical leaks.
At Evans, we utilize advanced environmental monitoring systems to ensure our facilities maintain optimal conditions for both employees and the products we store. These systems track key factors such as temperature, humidity, and air quality in real time, helping us create a safe working environment while safeguarding goods from potential damage.
For sensitive or perishable goods, these systems ensure they remain in pristine condition, arriving to customers without spoilage or damage. Our commitment to safety and quality reflects our dedication to excellence in warehousing and logistics.
Benefits:
- Real-time Alerts: When air quality or temperature deviates from the set range, environmental monitoring systems can send alerts, enabling a quick response to rectify the issue.
- Employee Health & Safety: By consistently maintaining ideal conditions, these systems help prevent health issues that could be caused by temperature extremes or poor air quality.
- Protecting Goods: Perishable or sensitive items can also be protected with these systems, ensuring that the goods reach customers in prime condition without spoilage or damage.
Drones
Drones are rapidly finding their place in warehouse and yard management, particularly when it comes to safety. These flying devices provide real-time aerial views of the warehouse and yard, making it easier to monitor inventory, inspect safety compliance, and identify potential hazards from a higher vantage point. Drones can be programmed to perform regular inspections or controlled remotely to get a closer look at specific areas.
Evans uses drone technology to improve our inventory control through vision-enabled drones that scan barcodes and house the data within its systems. They not only confirm levels of inventory but also product locations within the warehouse. These specialized drones have built-in software to develop warehouse navigation patterns including how many isles, racking measurements, label locations, etc. The drone software integrates with the WMS to create a report. Ideally, the report matches the data found in the WMS, otherwise it flags the data as inaccurate.
Benefits:
- Increased Visibility: Drones allow supervisors to monitor all warehouse areas, including those that are otherwise hard to reach, ensuring that no safety issue goes unnoticed.
- Hazard Detection: Drones can quickly identify potential risks, such as spills or blockages in aisles, which can be addressed immediately to avoid accidents.
- Improved Inventory Control: By using drones to inspect inventory levels and stock placement, 3PLs can reduce manual counting and enhance both safety and efficiency.
Truck Docking Systems
Truck docking systems, equipped with automated docking technology, are designed to assist drivers in aligning and securing trucks safely during loading and unloading. These systems minimize the risk of human error, prevent damage to products or vehicles, and keep employees safe while handling heavy loads. Advanced systems can even provide precise alignment guidance and automatically secure the truck’s position during the process.
At Evans, we utilize truck docking systems, including Lock Docks and ICC bumper locks, to ensure safe and efficient loading and unloading processes. These systems use automated docking technology to help drivers precisely align and secure trucks, reducing the risk of human error and protecting employees, vehicles, and goods. By securing the truck’s position during the process, our docking systems create a safer environment for dock workers handling heavy loads.
Benefits:
- Reduction in Manual Labor: Automated docking reduces the need for manual adjustments, which lowers the risk of injury and speeds up the loading/unloading process.
- Damage Prevention: The precision of these systems minimizes the chances of collisions or improper docking, helping to protect both the trucks and the products being transported.
- Enhanced Safety for Dock Workers: Automated dock locks and position sensors protect employees by securing the truck in place, making loading and unloading safer for those on the dock.
Embracing Safety with Technology
For 3PLs, investing in safety technology isn’t just about reducing the likelihood of accidents; it’s also about fostering a culture of safety within the organization. Using technologies like truck and forklift dashcams, environmental monitoring systems, drones, and truck docking systems creates a comprehensive approach to safety that addresses risks across every aspect of the operation.
These technologies serve as both preventive and reactive measures, helping 3PLs respond more effectively to incidents, train their workforce with real-life examples, and provide a safer workplace. By integrating these technologies, a 3PL not only enhances safety but also builds trust with employees and clients, reinforcing its commitment to high operational standards.
Conclusion
In the fast-paced world of logistics, safety should always be a priority. The latest safety technologies, from dashcams and drones to environmental monitoring, are making it easier than ever to mitigate risks and streamline safety practices. For 3PLs, adopting these innovations isn’t just a smart operational choice; it’s an investment in the well-being of employees and the security of assets.