Warehouses are strenuous jobs that are often fast-moving and stressful. As such, they leave employees susceptible to injuries caused by safety hazards. Let’s go over three of the most common warehouse safety hazards and how your company can avoid them.
Warehouse Safety Management Best Practices
Warehousing establishments are faced with the constant challenge of keeping employees safe in a hazardous work environment. Fortunately, safety procedures are available to decrease the frequency and severity of work-related injuries in warehousing operations. Boost productivity levels and keep warehouse workers unharmed by following these safety tips:
- Provide proper safety training and courses.
- Discuss safety and warehouse accidents.
- Investigate workplace incidents.
- Eliminate potential safety hazards.
- Use signage to identify hazardous areas.
- Perform worksite safety audits.
- Keep the warehouse floor clean.
- Establish a safety committee.
- Double-check all safety equipment.
- Create an injury and illness prevention program.
Following these safety management best practices will help you run your warehouse operations as smoothly as possible.
3 Important Warehouse Safety Hazards
Did you know that the warehouse industry has one of the highest injury rates? OSHA warehouse safety guidelines are in place for a reason. Some of the most frequently cited OSHA violations include incidents resulting from falls, harmful substances, and heavy equipment. Keep reading to understand further the severity of these three safety hazards and how they can be prevented.
1. Falls, Trips, and Slips
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls, trips, and slips account for nearly 700 fatalities annually. This costs businesses an estimated $15-18 billion every year.
It’s inevitable for accidents to happen in a warehouse, but it’s essential to take every precaution necessary to prevent as many of them as possible. Common causes of falls in warehouses include slippery flooring, poorly lit areas, substances littering the floor, hidden steps, obstacles, and more.
However, with the proper risk management techniques, falls are 100% avoidable. Follow these precautions to lower the risk of workplace injuries.
- Stay on top of repairs.
- Invest in non-slip matting and handrails.
- Keep walkways dry and free of clutter.
- Provide consistent employee training.
- Provide ladders and step stools.
- Ensure employees have proper footwear.
- Clean up spills immediately.
- Keep areas well-lit during work hours.
2. Harmful Substances
Flammable liquids, radioactive chemicals, solvents, and carcinogens are amongst the numerous harmful substances found in warehouses that can cause injury or death to workers. In this case, hazard communication is vital.
Prevent catastrophes by properly labeling harmful substances and using signage to clearly communicate safety procedures. In addition, employees should be provided with safety equipment like eye and face protection, gloves, and respirators. Ensure the substances in your work environment do not cause short-term or long-term effects. But more important than anything, make sure that your team is familiar with the substances they’re handling and have been adequately trained to do so.
3. Heavy Equipment
Warehouse workers are often required to work with heavy equipment. Unfortunately, this poses many opportunities for injury. Therefore, always ensure that your team is well-trained and familiar with any heavy equipment in the workplace. In addition, everyone should be well versed in safety standards and expectations.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Know how to safely enter and exit equipment and use appropriate hand signals to communicate with other workers.
Training your team on safety management best practices is one of the most effective ways to reduce workplace hazards. Not to mention, insufficient safety training can be a huge hazard on its own. So, if they aren’t already, make sure your employees are correctly educated on warehouse safety.
How To Improve Warehouse Safety
Hazards exist in every workplace, and warehouses are not exempt. Make sure your employees are safeguarded as much as possible by providing them with safety equipment and fall protection training.
Safety By Design provides companies with proper safety training and education, safety consulting, and OSHA-compliant worksite safety audits that ensure your warehouse employees are happy and healthy. Contact the Safety by Design team today to schedule a consultation!
Tags: OSHA violations, safety training, warehouse safety, workplace injuries, workplace safety
