The issue of safety in warehouses remains a critical concern, posing risks of fatal and nonfatal injuries to millions of workers. In fact, there were 46 reported fatalities per 100 full-time warehouse and storage workers in 2021. This heightened focus on safety, combined with the array of benefits AVs provide, has specifically fueled the growing demand for industrial automation.

As a result, autonomous industrial vehicles have emerged as a staple in modern warehouses worldwide, transforming traditional manual operations into streamlined and automated processes. These innovative vehicles can operate safely and reliably in high-performance warehouse environments and provide numerous additional benefits, including operational efficiency, cost savings, and improved productivity.

However, implementing strict safety measures is crucial when deploying industrial AVs in warehouses to mitigate risks to both workers and assets. In this article, we outline effective measures that your organization can implement to ensure the safety of these vehicles in your warehouses. By following these guidelines, you can create a secure working environment while harnessing the many advantages of these innovative vehicles.

Understanding the Importance of Warehouse Safety

Warehouse safety is crucial to avoid injuries, fatalities, and damage to equipment and products. Safety should be a top priority for all warehouse employees, from entry-level workers to top executives. In fact, forklift-related incidents alone have resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of nonfatal injuries, triggering safety inspections and expensive workers’ compensation claims. 

However, warehouse safety goes beyond just accident prevention; it further ensures that employees feel safe and valued. A safe working environment fosters productivity and motivation among employees, empowering them to give their best effort in their work. Consequently, a safe warehouse environment can help attract and retain top talent, effectively addressing the persistent labor challenges that many face. Therefore, by emphasizing safety, your organization can, in turn, significantly increase productivity and overall efficiency.

The Role of Autonomous Industrial Vehicles in Warehouses

Autonomous vehicles play a pivotal role in modern warehouses, including robotic forklifts, autonomous tuggers, and pallet jacks. These vehicles, equipped with advanced technology and artificial intelligence, have the ability to perform tasks traditionally carried out by human workers, such as transporting goods, palletizing, and navigating complex warehouse environments. 

As a result, they are indispensable in streamlining warehouse processes and enhancing productivity. With the ability to work precisely and around the clock, industrial AVs can drastically increase operational efficiency, cost savings, and give organizations the ability to better adapt to changing demands in the market.

However, it’s important to note that autonomous vehicles, like most innovative machines, are not infallible. Despite their advanced technology and ability to enhance overall warehouse safety, they still have the potential to experience malfunctions, and accidents can occur. As we'll discuss, it is therefore critical for warehouse managers to ensure the implementation of proper safety measures to prevent accidents from happening.

Common Safety Hazards in Warehouses

To begin, it’s key to have a clear understanding of the typical safety hazards that exist within warehouses. Prioritizing safety requires identifying these potential dangers and implementing measures to reduce them. Let’s go through some common hazards —

One common hazard in warehouses is slips, trips, and falls, which can occur due to factors like wet floors, cluttered walkways, or uneven surfaces. To prevent such accidents, warehouse managers should maintain clean and dry floors, keep walkways clear, and ensure surfaces are even and well-maintained. 

Collisions pose another significant hazard in warehouses, which can occur between workers, vehicles, and equipment. To prevent collisions, organization's can implement traffic management systems, including designated walkways and vehicle lanes that ensure clear separation between pedestrian and vehicle areas.

Entanglements with machinery are yet another common hazard in warehouses. Specifically, these accidents can result in workers getting trapped or caught in moving parts, leading to severe injuries or even fatalities. To avoid these incidents, warehouse managers must ensure that all machinery is properly maintained and has undergone regular maintenance

Implementing a Comprehensive Safety Plan

Having explored common safety hazards, it is imperative to develop a comprehensive safety plan that takes into account these potential risks, vehicle operations, and incorporates thorough training.

Identifying Potential Risks

First, warehouse operators should conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify potential hazards associated with autonomous vehicle operations. This assessment will help develop an effective safety plan and necessary steps to mitigate risks. Potential risks may include collisions between vehicles, collisions between vehicles and personnel, and equipment malfunctions.

Additionally, the risk assessment should consider external factors that may impact safety, such as weather conditions, power outages, and emergency situations. By identifying potential risks, warehouse operators can develop a tailored safety plan that aligns with their specific needs and operations.

Establishing Safety Protocols and Procedures

Once potential risks are identified, it is crucial to establish clear safety protocols and procedures to minimize them. These protocols should cover vehicle operations, including speed limits and traffic patterns, as well as worker practices, such as training, the use of personal protective equipment, and emergency response procedures. Regular training sessions and safety drills should be conducted to ensure staff are prepared for emergencies. It is important to communicate these protocols to all warehouse staff and regularly review and update them to maximize effectiveness.

Choosing the Right Autonomous Industrial Vehicles

With a wide range of industrial autonomous vehicles available in the market, how do you determine the best choice? Selecting the right industrial AV solution to optimize safety in your warehouse is crucial. Therefore, operators need to carefully consider the capabilities and limitations of each vehicle before making the switch.

Evaluating Vehicle Capabilities and Limitations

First, assess the vehicle's capabilities, including weight capacity, speed, and adaptability, to ensure they align with your specific application. For instance, if the AV will be used for transporting heavy materials, it is important to choose a vehicle with a high weight capacity. Specifically at Cyngn, our autonomous stock chaser offers a high maximum towing capacity of 6,000 lbs making it ideal for moving heavy items. Similarly, if the vehicle needs to navigate tight spaces, it is essential to choose a vehicle with excellent maneuverability.

Operators should also consider potential limitations, such as battery life and sensor capabilities, as these factors can affect the vehicle's performance. Your organization should choose a vehicle with a battery that lasts long enough for the required tasks without frequent recharging. Additionally, evaluating the sensors ensures that the vehicle can detect obstacles, navigate the warehouse safely, and maintain a proper distance from people and objects.

Selecting Vehicles with Advanced Safety Features

Autonomous vehicles equipped with advanced safety features such as collision avoidance systems should be prioritized. Specifically, these types of features can help prevent accidents and reduce the risk of harm to personnel and equipment. Other safety features to consider include emergency stop buttons and obstacle detection sensors.

Organization’s should further consider the vehicle’s ability to operate safely in different environments. For example, if the vehicle is driving in an area with low visibility, it is important to choose a vehicle with advanced sensors that can accurately detect obstacles and adjust its speed accordingly.

At Cyngn, for instance, every aspect of our AV technology was built with safety in mind. The system is equipped with multiple sensors, communication lights, and hardware and software redundancies to keep workers safe.

Specifically, we have implemented the third tier of our perception stack known as the "virtual bumper”. This redundant sensor and compute package on our autonomous vehicles provides an additional layer of safety. In the event that something occurs in the environment that either is unexpected or unsafe, we can be sure that we have redundancy built into the vehicle. This redundancy means that we can guarantee that every time, the vehicle will stop in a safe way.

In addition to virtual bumper, Cyngn’s LED lighting system enhances safety by providing clear indications of the vehicle's behavior to workers. The LED lights help workers understand when it is safe to interact with the vehicle. For example, if the lights on the vehicle are green, it signifies a "Safe Vehicle Workspace," allowing employees to safely engage with the vehicle, such as stepping over the cart or loading it. Furthermore, blue indicates autonomous vehicle operation, while red indicates an error state. Lastly, yellow indicates that the vehicle has detected an object or a person in its field of view and is taking appropriate action.

Properly Training Warehouse Staff

As mentioned earlier, in addition to selecting an AV with optimal safety features, it is vital to provide thorough training to employees on how to safely operate and interact with autonomous vehicles. Warehouse staff must be knowledgeable about how to effectively operate and navigate around these vehicles to prevent any potential accidents.

Furthermore, employees should be taught how to properly inspect and maintain the vehicles, ensuring they are always in good working condition. This preventive maintenance helps minimize the risk of malfunctions or breakdowns that could lead to accidents. Additionally, staff must receive training on handling emergency situations involving autonomous vehicles, including the proper procedures for safely stopping the AV in case of an emergency.

However, it’s important to remember that training employees on autonomous vehicles goes beyond just knowing how to operate them. It is equally crucial to educate employees about the technology behind these vehicles and how they function. This knowledge will enable employees to better understand the capabilities and limitations of the vehicles, leading to more effective and safe usage. Specifically, at Cyngn, we provide robust training and support services to ensure your team maximizes safety and the value of your investment.

Promoting a Safety-First Mindset

It is key that warehouse workers prioritize safety above all else when using autonomous vehicles. This entails adopting a safety-first mindset to prevent accidents, injuries, and property damage.

Organizations should encourage employees to promptly report any safety concerns or hazards they observe. This practice helps identify and address potential safety issues before they escalate into problems. Additionally, employees should always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes items such as safety glasses, hard hats, and steel-toed boots, when working with autonomous vehicles.

Regularly Inspecting and Maintaining Vehicles

Regular inspections and maintenance of autonomous industrial vehicles are essential to ensure their proper functioning and to promptly detect any potential issues.

Scheduling Routine Inspections

Vehicle inspections should be carried out at regular intervals to detect any developing faults or issues. These inspections help in identifying issues and taking corrective action promptly.

Addressing Maintenance Issues Promptly

Maintenance issues should also be addressed as soon as possible to prevent further damage or accidents. A prompt response reduces the cost of repairs and minimizes downtime.

Implementing autonomous industrial vehicles in warehouses offers multiple benefits, including improved efficiency, cost savings, and increased productivity. However, as explored, it is virtal for organizations to prioritize safety when introducing these vehicles to the workplace. By implementing proper safety measures, operators can ensure a safe working environment for both workers and vehicles.

To learn more about Cyngn’s AV solutions visit www.cyngn.com.