Putting staff safety first
Smarter storage by design
At Polypal UK, we know that retail storage systems are about much more than simply keeping products organised. They form a vital part of the working environment, and that means they must be designed with the safety and well-being of staff at the forefront. A poorly thought-out storage solution can create unnecessary risks, from awkward layouts that restrict movement to fittings that become hazards in busy spaces.
For us, staff safety is not an afterthought – it’s central to the way we design. Retail teams spend long hours working in and around storage areas, and if those areas are not safe, day-to-day tasks become stressful, tiring and sometimes even dangerous. By considering how people use these systems, as well as the conditions they work in, we can create solutions that make workplaces not only safer but also more efficient and enjoyable to operate in.
This approach was at the heart of a recent project, where one of our DIY superstore customers asked us to rethink their behind-the-counter storage for high-value goods. The space was tight, the existing system was proving troublesome, and most importantly, it wasn’t providing the level of safety or security they needed.
The old design relied on roller-based sliding doors. These doors protruded by around 160mm into the walkway, which was a significant hazard for staff moving quickly in a narrow space. Over time, dust and debris from the busy store environment also clogged the rollers, causing the doors to stick and sometimes jam completely. This not only made daily use frustrating, but it also meant the doors could not always be closed and padlocked securely, leaving valuable stock vulnerable.
The dedicated account manager and the Polypal design team developed a new solution that directly addressed these issues. By shifting the mechanism from rollers to an overhead rail, the problem of debris was eliminated, and the doors could slide smoothly every time. The new design also reduced the protrusion to just 68mm, making the racking far safer to navigate around. To further improve usability, an automatic latch was added so the doors temporarily click into place when shut, making it much easier for staff to secure them with a padlock.
The result is a system that balances security with everyday practicality. It protects valuable stock while reducing risks to staff, and it can even be retrofitted to existing racking bays, making it a flexible option for other retailers facing the same challenges.
This project is a great reminder of why staff safety sits at the heart of our work. When storage is designed with people in mind, it doesn’t just safeguard products; it safeguards the people who handle them every day. At Polypal UK, that’s what smarter storage is all about.
