The growth of logistics operations is also increasing risks within warehouses and distribution centers , especially in a context where companies prioritize productivity, automation and volume, but do not always update their industrial safety schemes.
Warehouses ceased to be static spaces after the COVID-19 pandemic and now function as “living places,” with constant movement of materials, goods entering and leaving, overcrowding, and permanent changes in operation , which increases vulnerability to risks, mainly fires, according to Eurídice Ibarlucea, International Business Development Manager for Mexico at NFPA and member of the Expo Seguridad Industrial educational council .
Even in facilities that have automatic fire protection systems, the problem arises when the volume or type of materials changes from the original calculation.
“If I start adding volumes that are not what they were designed for, it is very likely that even if I have a fire suppression system, it will not be able to extinguish it,” he commented.
In addition to fire, he warned that there are other critical factors within the logistics and storage operation , such as unmaintained electrical installations , incorrect mixing of materials, blocked evacuation routes, and structural overloading in racks or storage areas.
Ibarlucea explained that many times companies concentrate their investments on expanding production, acquiring machinery or increasing operational capacity, but leave out of the budget the safety adjustments that these same changes require .
The specialist explained that one of the main challenges is that Mexican regulations are not keeping pace with new industrial technologies , particularly in matters related to lithium batteries, electric forklifts, and new automated systems.
As an example, he mentioned: “Nowhere, in any regulation today, is the issue of risks from lithium batteries mentioned.”
Beyond the loss of merchandise, he indicated that an incident can directly affect operational continuity, generate breaches of contract and even compromise the financial viability of a company.
“It could lead to contract losses, it could practically bankrupt the company if I don’t deliver the contracts that sustain me,” he explained.
According to data shared by the specialist, in the United States 37% of fire incidents in industry originate in warehouses and 70% of material losses resulting from fires are related to these spaces.
For logistics and transport companies , he considered that the first step should be to correctly classify the stored materials and separate risks to prevent an incident from spreading.
He also recommended strengthening early detection systems, alarms, monitoring, and evacuation protocols, especially in distribution centers with high merchandise turnover.
“Innovation seeks to make us more productive, more efficient and more economical, but not necessarily safer,” he warned.
Comment and follow us on LinkedIn: @Karina Quintero / @GrupoT21
