5 Warehouse Security Issues You Need to Take More Seriously

Warehouses are critical assets for many companies and industries; they are a hub of activity and smart landscape design can improve both functionality and safety. Due to the nature of these commercial buildings, landscaping is not often considered a priority as outsiders such as customers and community members rarely visit them. There is no question however that utilizing landscaping techniques, both living elements such as plants as well as lighting and general groundskeeping, can go a long way in protecting your investment and increasing the effectiveness of warehouse property.

With continual traffic coming and going and the movement and storage of high-value goods, visibility is key. Below are five warehouse landscaping security issues that shouldn’t be overlooked:

Vegetation

Live vegetation such as trees, shrubs and bushes not only add an element of aesthetics that are often missing from commercial spaces such as warehouses, but can also provide natural barriers. Improper placement or maintenance of these elements though can lead to safety issues:

• tall, bushy trees or vine plants can grow over security cameras or obstruct lighting

• trees with sturdy branches may attract those looking for unauthorized access to climb them

• vegetation on security fences can conceal unwanted behavior or damage – if a fence is cut, it should not go unnoticed

• climbing vines such as ivy can do structural damage to some building materials such as older brick

Visibility

Commercial transportation has inherent risks for both drivers and cargo. Semi-trucks face many hazards while traveling the country’s freeways at high speeds yet many accidents and damage ultimately take place at distribution facilities while loading and unloading.

• sight lines should be kept clear at property entrances and exits

• loading docks and bays should also be clear of any visual obstructions

• large mirrors fixed to the building can assist drivers while backing up

Lighting

Proper illumination has many benefits including improving the ability of drivers and warehouse workers to avoid accidents and deter criminals who prefer not to be seen.

• Parking Lot Illumination Rule of Thumb: height of the light pole multiplied by 4 will give the distance the light poles should be apart

• Building Illumination Rule of Thumb: height of the wall packs (lights on side of building) multiplied by 6 will give the distance the wall packs should be apart

• The maximum height of trucks, trailers and equipment such as forklifts should also be factored into the design of lighting elements

Ground Surface

The surface on which commercial vehicles drive is critical and routine maintenance is required to keep it in good condition due to the high volume of traffic by very heavy equipment.

• small potholes can quickly deteriorate into hazards causing loads to jostle and potentially damaging goods

• areas of standing water can reduce visibility of painted lanes and conceal potholes or other hazards which may lay below

• cleanly and clearly painted lines can guide drivers and warn others of potentially dangerous zones that should not be walked through or obstructed by vehicles

Hazards

Routine groundskeeping practices such as power sweeping can lessen the likelihood of potential safety issues:

• removal of sharp objects such as metal or glass which can damage vehicle tires

• proper storage and disposal of chemical containers or liquids such as oil or coolant on the ground surface which can runoff into storm drains

• overgrown lagoons, gutters, and trash receptacles can provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes carrying infectious diseases  

Warehouse managers often spare no expense to the design inside of their facilities, taking every measure to maximize the efficiency and safety in which good are stored. Exterior landscaping, lighting and groundskeeping should be given the same amount of attention. Investing initially in these areas can help ensure a smooth operation and routine maintenance need not be an arduous task. Contact your local landscape management professionals to see what improvements can be made at your property and design a maintenance plan which will keep your warehouse looking and functioning at its highest potential.