The level of the workforce involved, extensive use of racking system, operation of heavy machinery, material handling in abundance all add up to an inherently hazardous warehouse!
Every year, millions of workers in the U.S. are injured due to exposure to health hazards at work. In fact, there were 2.9 million non-fatal injuries, and illnesses occurred in 2015, which as a result, employers spent $91.8 billion on workers’ compensation.
Needless to say, a safe warehouse environment is paramount when it comes to protecting workers from potential risks and hazards. Moreover, workplace safety is as important as your business productivity.
Imagine the ill-managed warehouse system and improper equipment and material handling can not only disable skilled workers, but also negatively impact your company’s bottom line.
Thus, encouraging warehouse safety at your facility is vital. This will give employers and workers peace of mind, as well as benefit your business. Here are four ways to promote safety at your warehouse:
Create a Clear Path of Movement
Warehouses are well known for large crates, heavy pieces of machinery and rows and rows of shelving. Navigating such an environment can be complicated, especially without any clear vision. Obstacles and clutter on aisles can significantly encourage the risk of collision among workers.
This issue can be neglected by creating a movement plan, which involves a structure of mobility means that you can easily move in certain directions through various areas of the warehouse. Having a clear vision of movement will reduce the chances of a collision by ensuring the layout is easy to follow with visible information available about the traffic flow for those who are not familiar with.
Trained Employees Are Paramount!
You take every preventative measure to promote a safer workplace, but not addressing workers whether or not they are trained. This, as a result, causes accidents, especially when corners are cut in an improper way to save time.
Make sure all staff is up to date and educated with knowledge about safe practices within the facility. And, when it comes to operating heavy equipment, operators must ensure to have forklift certification and training. This offers a greater adherence to measures as staff members will be fully aware of the outcomes that can emerge from an unsafe workplace.
Regular Racking Inspections
Pallet racking fills warehouses! It keeps all the goods is an essential object that workers regularly come in contact with. Pallets are heavy and carry objects in bulk, some of which could be found at a great height.
Damaged or unstable racking can cause severe injuries and hazards. Plus, damaged and poor initial construction can result in weak racking, which in turn can cause instability, falls, collapse, and putting workers at risk. Ensuring your racking system is secure can avoid a number of preventable problems.
Communicate With Your Supervisors and Other Staff Members
Having an active communication between employers and other staff members is vital to stay updated with every change in your physical space and processes. By employees being vocal about their location or a simple “coming through” while driving machinery, collision risks can be remarkably reduced.
Conclusion
Warehouse safety has always been crucial, but its importance is amped up with the increased storage of hazardous items, shipment, and the handling of heavy machinery.
Establish a proper safety protocol, and conduct regular training of the employees will drastically reduce potential risks and accidents and encourage a safer workplace!
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