Ensuring Your Warehouse A Safe Place

According to a publication by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, more than 145,000 people are working in over 7,000 warehouses across the United States. Since warehouse operations present a unique combination of potential hazards for the workers, the US warehousing industry’s fatality rate is higher than the national average for all industries! However, even though OSHA works to improve the working conditions for employees, they will really not be able to prevent injuries in your warehouse unless you take it upon yourself to enforce and implement safety regulations. So, how exactly can you provide your employees a safer workplace? Here’s a checklist you can use:

Warehouse Safety & Ergonomics

Constant fatigue can turn into serious injuries with some even having a permanent effect on an individual’s life. The most reported injuries caused by fatigue are related to the back and feet. As repetitive motion alters the way your muscles contract and move, it can lead to various difficulties, like bad posture and back pain. While ensuring proper lifting techniques are followed by each employee will help prevent many of these injuries, you should also consider emphasizing the following safety factors:

• Hydration
• Footwear
• Protective Eyewear
• Anti Fatigue Mats
• Gloves

Proper Employee Safety Training

Do your employees know and implement proper safety procedures? This is an important part of warehouse safety! As a business owner, it’s your duty to ensure your employees receive proper safety training. By educating your employees about the numerous types of hazards and providing them the knowledge to work safely and efficiently, many accidents can be prevented. Hence, make sure your employees are properly training in the following areas:

• Warehouse Safety Signs
• Forklift Safety
• Clearly Market Pathways
• Proper Exit Strategies for Emergencies (like Power Outages, Fire, etc)
• Machine and Equipment Maintenance

Warehouse Hazards

Although injuries in warehouses are inevitable, most of the accidents that cause them can be avoided. The best way to reduce injuries in your warehouse is to remedy potential hazards as soon as they are identified. While you should be aware of the common signs of disaster, teaching your employees to identify and report hazards can also help considerably! So, examine your warehouse for hazards and replace them with the following:

• Guardrails and Safety Gates
• Proper Lighting
• Securely Stacked Materials
• Extension Cords and Outlets
• Clean Working Environment
• Ventilation

Lastly, this safety checklist for your warehouse should serve as a reminder to encourage safety awareness. Keep reviewing the list and inspect each category with utmost thoroughness to prevent accidents and increase warehouse efficiency.