christopher Harper, Author at DJ Products

Is Your Supply Chain Keeping Step? Smaller, Digital and Nimble are Key.

Connecting Your Fleet Digitally to Quickly Relay Information is a Smart Business Tip.

Supply chains have embraced tools such as our battery-powered yard trucks that make physical tasks easier. But when it comes to adapting digital technology, the industry has remained behind the curve.

This attitude has been showing signs of changing, as factors including a labor shortage and rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) are driving supply chain managers toward smaller, digital and more nimble operations. Here’s a look at some of the ways technology is changing the supply chain industry.

Move to the Cloud

Experts predict that by 2020, planning systems will remain on premises while 90 percent of spending for execution systems will be for cloud-based applications. The IoT will provide the means to create a digital network allowing for data flow from start to finish of operations.

Improved Forecasting

Another benefit of the IoT is the ability to replace short-term forecasting with demand sensing, which uses advanced math techniques and near real-time data for more accurate forecasting.

Preventing Disruptions

Shippers with a more resilient supply chain will be better equipped to identify and manage risks, making them less vulnerable to reduced capacity and inventory problems.

Shift to Micro-Logistics

Following Amazon’s lead, many manufacturers are evaluating a transition to micro-logistics, which entails a group of small, localized warehouses rather than the traditional DC model.

Less Is More

Whether due to financial struggles or strategic purposes, consolidation among transoceanic shipping companies, third-party distribution services, and over-the-road carriers will likely increase. As a result, 3PL agreements will center on value rather than price.

Move Trailers Safely and Quickly with Yard Trucks from DJ Products

Our Electric Yard Dog is less expensive than a new yard truck or shunting service and reduces risk of damage and injuries. Call 800.686.2651 for more information.

Our January Tips to Reduce Costs in Your Warehouse Operation

How Can You Make it More Efficient For Your Warehouse Employees in 2019?

Does your warehouse staff finish the year in a scramble to bring expenses in under budget? Our industrial tugs maximize labor and reduce costly injuries to provide savings all year long.

In 2019, resolve to make reducing costs a year-round priority. Implement these measures in January to make financial awareness and expense-cutting part of the workplace culture.

Optimize Storage Space

Expansion is costly and time-consuming, especially today with warehouse space at a premium. Review the warehouse layout and inventory storage system to find wasted space and make changes where necessary.

Institute Cross-Docking

The more time product spends in your warehouse, the faster costs add up. Cross-docking, by which incoming products are immediately loaded onto outbound trucks for delivery, dramatically reduces storage, shipping and labor expenses.

Buy Used Containers

Used containers in good condition are often available at significant savings from reputable vendors. Purchasing used containers is a good practice to demonstrate eco-awareness and green workplace policies.

Reduce Energy Usage

Conscientious energy usage is another way to save money as well as the environment. High-quality building insulation, motion-sensitive lighting systems and hands-free faucets are just a few of the methods to cut back on excessive energy use.

Improve Labor Productivity

Labor is often the single largest element of any company’s operating costs. Hiring and training new workers is expensive and disruptive, so start a plan to improve employee retention. In addition, cross-training makes workers feel more accomplished and ensures that absences or temporary shortages won’t impact productivity.

Industrial Tugs from DJ Products: “Like Adding Another Staff Member”

Why assign two workers to handle heavy loads when one can easily complete the job with the help of one of our battery-powered industrial tugs? Learn more by calling 800.686.2651.

Software Proactively Controls Truck Driver Breaks and Planning

Your motorized trailer dollies might not need a break, but your workers do. From drivers to dockworkers, break planning is essential to compliance with labor laws. However, keeping up with this task can be difficult. Step-in workforce management software Deputy, and its recently released Break Planning feature.

Help for Navigating the Tricky World of Compliance Requirements

Increasingly complicated and highly regulated meal and rest breaks suffer a lack of transparency with regard to how time is managed, accounted for and compensated. States like California, Washington, Oregon, and Massachusetts, which now require mandatory meal breaks and multiple rest periods, can be especially challenging when it comes to crafting employee schedules around these requirements while ensuring coverage.

How Does Deputy Software Solve Such Issues?

Compatible with a wide range of devices, Deputy’s Break Planning feature centers on compliance, helping businesses more easily manage, schedule, and track both paid and unpaid food and rest breaks, such as necessary driver breaks, providing tools to help employers more easily manage and account for breaks upstream. With an AI-driven (artificial intelligence) platform, devising schedules makes compliance easy, while the software provides employees the transparency often lacking surrounding entitled breaks and rest periods.

Break Planning Software Features:

Break scheduling
Schedule multiple paid/unpaid breaks within a shift, relying on pre-created shift templates in states with strict laws, or manage on-site with custom enforcement/attestation.

Break tracking
Logs all break details, providing easily-accessible records.

Employee visibility
Showcase eligible breaks via templates.

Enforcement
Software prevents early clock-in/return.

Risk management
Software proactively flags workers who short/miss breaks and pose compliance risks.

Hostler on break? Don’t get left hanging. With no need for a specialized operator, ensuring coverage is easy with motorized trailer dollies. Contact DJ Products to learn more today.

Tips for Creating a Snow and Bad Weather Attendance Policy for Your Warehouse Staff

It’s Proactive to Have a Winter-Season Plan for Accidents and Attendance in Place.

Our rugged warehouse equipment is designed to perform under a wide range of conditions, but it’s not always so easy for people to operate in bad weather. Snow, ice and other treacherous winter conditions can make it dangerous to be on the road.

Use these tips to create a clear and comprehensive snow and bad weather attendance policy that protects employees while minimizing work interruptions.

Know the Law

At a minimum, your policy must meet the parameters set forth in the Fair Labor Standards Act. Rules differ for exempt and non-exempt employees, so set yours accordingly.

Be Consistent with Company Culture

Policies should always reflect company values. Is your culture more traditional or does it embrace flexibility? Whatever your identity is, keep it in mind as you compose the bad weather policy.

Consider All Employees

First of all, many companies have several locations that may require individual policies. Second, even within a common workplace, employees have different considerations such as travel time and mode of transportation. Aim for a policy that encompasses all situations.

Define “Bad Weather”

Everyone has their own perception of what constitutes bad weather. Choose a specific but fair method of triggering the bad weather policy, such as a minimum amount of snowfall or when schools are closed.

Have an Action Plan

A complete bad weather policy should set out precise steps for actions including notifying employees, alerting customers and implementing a virtual office set-up.

Safety Comes First

Regardless of the formal policy, let workers know that you value their safety. Be flexible with issues like start times and dress codes.

Reliable Warehouse Equipment from DJ Products

No matter what the weather is outside, our warehouse equipment is always ready for duty. Contact us for more information.

You Can Damage Your Plane with Improper Manual Handling – What to Know

Being Precautious Could Save Your Passengers and Your Life.

When you have a smaller aircraft, pulling or pushing it by the propeller might seem like an easy and convenient way to move it around. However, this manual handling can end up causing significant damage to your airplane. Find out why you should use an aircraft caddy for moving your plane around instead of moving it manually.

Damage Risks

Grabbing your airplane by the propeller and pulling or pushing it to where you need it to go can result in damage to the blades. For example, pulling or pushing the propeller’s tips can cause them to become bent, which affects their ability to work properly. Even when you have others to help you, it’s important to avoid manually handling your airplane by the propeller blades.

Using an aircraft caddy allows you to move your airplane smoothly without risking damage to any part of it. Keep in mind that damage to your propeller can make your aircraft unsafe to operate.

Injury Risks

Pushing or pulling an airplane manually can put you and others at risk of having injuries. From pulled muscles to more serious injuries, it’s important to avoid taking this risk when you need to move or reposition your airplane. Moving your airplane with a tug that’s designed to support its weight helps eliminate the risk of personal injuries.

Our tugs and caddies offer safer and more convenient ways to pull aircraft around or move them to a different location, whether you need one for a 4,000-pound airplane or one that can move up to 35,000 pounds.

If you’re looking for an aircraft caddy, please contact DJ Products. We carry a wide range of high-quality aircraft tugs to make it easier and safer for you to move your airplane.

Tips for Preventing Expensive Forklift Accidents in Your Warehouse

Always Stop and Let a Forklift Pass, to Avoid an Accident.

Forklift accidents can cause costly damage to warehouse equipment, but that’s not even the worst possible result. Data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) indicates that 85 deaths and almost 35,000 serious injuries due to forklift accidents occur each year.

Reduce the risk of damage and injury with these five proactive tips for preventing forklift accidents:

Ensure Adequate Ventilation

People generally associate forklift accidents with mechanical operation, but forklifts also emit carbon monoxide at levels that can lead to poisoning. Make sure there is sufficient ventilation, especially if forklifts are used in enclosed areas.

Provide Secure Parking

No matter how busy the day is, forklifts should always be returned to their parking spaces with keys removed. This keeps the forklift from being an obstacle and prevents unauthorized use.

Conduct Regular Training and Inspections

– Train all new hires in proper forklift operation and continue to promote awareness and safety precautions.

– Schedule regular inspections and perform maintenance as needed.

Failure to observe these two practices can result in OSHA citations and fines.

Load Forklifts Correctly

Forklift loads should be balanced, with larger and heavier items on the bottom, and they shouldn’t be stacked too high. In addition, forklifts should never be used to raise employees to upper shelves.

Remove Obstructions

Poor sight, operator error and driving off a loading dock are all common causes of forklift accidents. Make sure forklift operators have a clear path and nothing is obstructing their sight lines.

Turn to DJ Products for High Quality Warehouse Equipment

Show your commitment to safety with eco-friendly tugs, pushers and movers from DJ Products. Our warehouse equipment is easy to use and ergonomically designed to prevent repetitive motion injuries.

Visit our website to learn more.

Cold Weather Impacts Staff Performance – What to Know

Winter Can be Dangerous for Your Employees. Make Sure They are Maintaining Safety Precautions!

Climate control in warehouses presents a greater challenge than climate control in office buildings. While the physical aspect of operating material handling equipment adds body warmth to some extent, cold weather reduces productivity and increases health risk for warehouse workers.

Train Employees to Prevent Cold Stress

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has no official regulations in place regarding cold weather conditions in the workplace. OSHA does recommend that employers take proactive steps to train about cold stress symptoms and appropriate first aid procedures.

In addition, you can institute policies to make the warehouse a more hospitable workplace during cold weather months:

– Make sure that employees are dressed for the weather and using personal protective equipment as needed.

– Have employees monitor each other for possible signs of cold stress and report problems to their supervisor.

– Provide warm break rooms and have plenty of warm, sweetened beverages on hand to ward off dehydration.

Cold-Proofing the Warehouse

No matter what temperature is maintained inside the warehouse, frequent opening of doors allows warm air to escape and be replaced by cold air. Here are steps you can take to minimize this effect:

– Strip doors allow easy in-and-out access while acting as a barrier against cold as well as dust, spray and noise.

– Temporary curtain walls insulate specific warehouse areas as needed and they’re easy to install and remove.

– High-speed doors, powered or manual, reduce the amount of exposure to the cold.

– Fans may sound counterintuitive, but they can actually circulate heated air for better distribution.

Put Safety First with Material Handling Equipment from DJ Products

Our battery-powered tugs, movers and pushers are designed for safe operation in any climate. Contact us to learn more about our quality material handling equipment.

Tips for Keeping Your Warehouse and Work Staff Safe in Cold Weather

Tips for Keeping Your Warehouse and Work Staff Safe in Cold Weather.

No matter how advanced and efficient your warehouse equipment is, it means nothing with no workers around to use it. Bad winter weather adds another layer to the everyday risk of workplace injuries.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes “cold stress” as a significant work-related danger during winter months. Here are some valuable tips to keep your workers warm and healthy as temperatures drop.

What Is “Cold Stress?”

According to OSHA, cold stress is a general term that encompasses a range of weather-related health concerns such as hypothermia, frostbite and trench foot. While OSHA maintains no specific regulations governing cold weather work, they do recognize an employer’s requirement to operate a workplace “free of recognized hazards.”

Winter-Related Illnesses

Winter months also bring the onset of colds and flu. Data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that companies lose $10.5 billion in medical costs and decreased productivity during flu season each year.

Tips to Prevent Cold-Related Injuries and Illnesses

– Educate employees about cold stress risk factors such as dressing improperly, working in wet clothes and consuming excessive caffeine.

– Implement radiant heaters and other engineering controls to keep the workplace warm.

– Schedule the bulk of work activities during warmer times of the day.

– Have supervisors monitor employees for signs of cold stress. If possible, assign workers in pairs.

– OSHA doesn’t require employers to provide coats, gloves and other winter wear, but many companies find it cost-effective to do so.

– Promote flu shots. Consider holding an on-site vaccination clinic or partnering with local pharmacies.

Count on Warehouse Equipment from DJ Products

A safe workplace includes high-quality, effective warehouse equipment. Contact us to learn why our electric tugs, movers and pushers are the optimum solution for your warehouse.

Pending Federal Drive-Safe Act Allows Under 21 Year Age CDL Licensing

Young CDL Drivers May Soon Be On The Road

Your motorized trailer dollies may soon be toting goods for haul by underage drivers. With an industry shortage on labor, officials are looking to up the ante with a bill aimed at expanding the labor pool to include drivers under 21 years old.

License to Drive

Currently, federal law prohibits drivers age 21 and younger from interstate operations. However, following the U.S. House, a recently introduced bill has now been filed in the U.S. Senate that could allow drivers under the age of 21 to hold a CDL license to cross state lines.

Summer School

The Drive-Safe Act, filed by the House in March, would require extra training tasks for 18 to 20 year old drivers before permitting them to operate on the interstate, including at least 400 hours of on-duty time and 240 hours of driving time, logging hundreds of hours behind the wheel riding along with more experienced CDL drivers before they can drive on the interstate.

Move Over

While backed by the American Trucking Associations, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and safety other groups have opposed expanding interstate hauling to under-21 drivers. Proponents of the bill, however, argue that in large states, underage operators are already taking trips hundreds of miles long, yet aren’t allowed to make shorter trips across state lines. They also point to the fact bringing in younger drivers could help address the industry’s driver shortage, expanding their ability to attract career drivers.

Tired of dealing with special licensing requirements? Skip the CDL. Safe and easy to operate, motorized trailer dollies from DJ Products require no CDL, certification, or health card. Reduce your training tasks and increase safety and productivity. Get things moving with the help of DJ Products today.

Our Top Tips for Truckers for Winter Driving

As we roll out our newly-built semi trailer movers for delivery to help you manage the influx of holiday shipping, Mother Nature is likewise delivering her cargo in the form of winter snow and icy rain. To help you ensure a safe and cheerful holiday season at home with your family, your friends at DJ Products thought we’d share a few of our top winter driving tips.

Watch the Weather

Snow and ice make for challenging driving conditions. Ensure a safer trip by staying vigilant of the weather to prevent ending up in unexpected situations. Leave earlier/later as needed. Drive with more caution during snowy and icy weather: Slow down, leave more space, brake sooner, and remain hyperaware. This is especially important on busy city streets, which are more congested with fellow motorists and pedestrians during the busy holiday season.

Don’t Get Distracted

Keep your eyes on the road and off your cell phone. Distracted driving is a leading cause of traffic fatalities. Pull over and stop if you must make a call or text. Just a two-second distraction doubles the chance of an accident.

Dress (Your Vehicle) for Success

Remove ice/snow to ensure maximum visibility and avoiding hazards. Ensure safety when stranded by stocking your rig with basic supplies such as warm blankets, water, and food to increase your chances of survival in life-threatening scenarios.

Avoid Impairment

Avoid driving impaired whether due to sleepiness or eggnog overindulgence, respectfully sharing the road with other motorists and ensuring everyone enjoys safe holidays at home with family. Report suspected drunk drivers (weaving, straddling the lane, erratic braking). A simple call can save lives.

Keep semi trailer movers, cargo, and drivers moving safely this holiday season with the help of DJ Products today.

Author: christopher Harper