Warehouse Safety Tips

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Warehouse safety in a working environment is of paramount importance. Employers, managers, supervisors, and workers of all levels are required to endorse and practice it without compromise. 

The daily operational activities that are carried out in a warehouse sometimes pose a high degree of health and safety risks to employees. If appropriate safety measures are not strictly followed, there is a greater risk of accidents leading to illnesses, injuries, and, in some cases, death.

An unsafe warehouse risks losing working hours or sanctions from law enforcement agencies. Not to mention the pockets of legal suits that could be filed by victims. 

Furthermore, an unsafe warehouse contributes to a poor working environment and may have an impact on the overall productivity of the business. As a result, implementing and enforcing good warehouse safety measures is likely to increase workers’ motivation and build trust in the company’s leadership. It also demonstrates your concern for employee well-being and promotes all-round workplace safety.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Here are our best warehouse safety tips to keep all the warehouse employees safe and sound:” alignment=”left” main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;” main_heading_font_size=”desktop:24px;” margin_design_tab_text=””][/ultimate_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Wearing of Personal Protective Equipments” alignment=”left” main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;” main_heading_font_size=”desktop:22px;” margin_design_tab_text=””][/ultimate_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Workers, supervisors, and visitors to the warehouse are all required to wear safety gear at all times while in and around the warehouse. The use of protective equipment in a warehouse is essential and should be strictly followed because it reduces the risk posed by other uncontrolled hazards. 

Employers and supervisors must ensure that robust protective equipment is provided for warehouse workers and ensure that it is worn during working hours. Some of the personal protective gears that should be worn in the warehouse include:

• Hard Hats: This is essential for protecting and reducing the risk of severe head injuries caused by slips and falls.

• Hi-Visibility Jackets: Hi-visibility clothing allows other workers to see around the warehouse even when it is dark outside.

• Safety Goggles: Safety glasses and safety goggles serve as the best form of eye protection that shields the eyes from dust, falling objects, and debris that could harm the eyes.

• Safety Boots: Safety footwear with anti-slip soles helps prevent slip and fall accidents. They prevent the foot from feeling the crushing impact of falling or hitting heavy objects in the warehouse.

• Hearing Protective Gears: The use of earplugs helps protect the ears from excessive noise that the workers might be exposed to in the warehouse. 

• Hand Gloves: Workers are required to wear firm-grip hand gloves to protect their hands when lifting sharp objects or working with sharp tools. They also protect the skin against corrosive chemicals that are sometimes used or stored in the warehouse.  

Must Read: 10 Strategies to Improve Workplace Safety 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Safety Procedures Involving the Use of Vehicles” alignment=”left” main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;” main_heading_font_size=”desktop:22px;” margin_design_tab_text=””][/ultimate_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Most warehouses make use of forklifts, lift trucks, and other industrial vehicles in performing various tasks around the warehouse — from the lifting of heavily stacked objects to moving equipment and machinery from one place to another. 

Workers around the warehouse are required to adhere to all vehicle safety measures to prevent and reduce any high-risk hazard that might occur. Here are some good warehouse vehicle safety practices include:

• All vehicles in a warehouse should only be operated by fully trained expert personnel only.
• Ensure that all industrial vehicles are equipped with rearview mirrors to improve visibility while reversing.
• Never use the vehicles for dangerous activities such as speed racing in the warehouse.
• Ensure that every vehicle in the warehouse passes a daily safety readiness check at regular intervals (preferably daily) before use.
• Display safety and traffic signs, including speed limits, and ensure that every driver adheres to the speed limits in and around the warehouse.
• Ensure that the aisles and hallways in the warehouse are free from obstructions, bumps, and floor damages to avoid accidents that could lead to vehicle damage.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Avoid Slip and Fall Hazards” alignment=”left” main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;” main_heading_font_size=”desktop:22px;” margin_design_tab_text=””][/ultimate_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Slips, trips, and falls are the most common cause of work-related fatalities in the workplace. Between 2015 and 2016, over 40 people were recorded to have died from falls from height at work, and a whopping 118,000 workers incurred injuries due to trips and falls in the warehouse and workplace. 

The following safety procedures can prevent slips and falls in the warehouse:

1. Workers must follow proper housekeeping practices and clean up spills, wet floors, and dust from floor surfaces.
2. It is advisable to use anti-slip paint because it prevents dust accumulation and reduces the risk of slips.
3. Cleaning staff must put up the appropriate warning signs when cleaning up wet floors, dust, or oil spillages.
4. Make sure that the floors of the warehouse are even and free of steeps.
5. Ensure that anyone working from a height is specially trained on ladder safety measures and wearing adequate protective equipment.
6. Get a wearable Silent Beacon personal safety device for all employees that are required to work from height; this would enable them to call for help quickly if they slip or fall.

Must Read: Fall Alert System for Instant Emeregncy Help 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Prepare for Fire Emergencies” alignment=”left” main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;” main_heading_font_size=”desktop:22px;” margin_design_tab_text=””][/ultimate_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A warehouse must be equipped with appropriate fire-fighting equipment, and the staff must be trained primarily on the best practices to undergo in the event of a fire. 

Most warehouses have a lot of open spaces that fire could easily spread through. Therefore proper fire safety practices must be implemented. To prevent a fire in  a warehouse, workers must do the following:

1. Delegate a specially trained fire warden that will direct evacuation plans, instruct workers on fire safety and prevention and also take charge in the event of a fire emergency.
2. Install fire alarms and smoke detectors in and around the warehouse.
3. Create alternative evacuation routes and emergency plans that could prevent workers from being trapped in the event of a fire emergency.
4. Fire-fighting equipment like fire extinguishers, fire blankets, fire-hose cabinets, e.t.c. should be readily available at designated areas in the warehouse, and workers should be trained on how to stop a fire.

Note: If a worker is trapped in a fire incident in the warehouse, they can use the panic button of the Silent Beacon device to alert their contacts and emergency responders and send his/her real-time location – all with the push of a button.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Carefully Load and Unload Pallets on Racking” alignment=”left” main_heading_style=”font-weight:bold;” main_heading_font_size=”desktop:22px;” margin_design_tab_text=””][/ultimate_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When storing, moving, or restocking the pallets of goods on the racking in a warehouse, workers should ensure to execute this task with proper care to avoid dropping materials on people or causing damage to the packages and other equipment. Warehouse safety measures that could prevent hazards while unloading and loading racks include:

1. Appoint and train workers on the proper methods to safely load and move packages in a warehouse.
2. Ensure that heavy pallets are lifted with the right equipment or machinery.
3. Ensure that all workers put on personal protective gear while loading packages in the warehouse. 
4. Instruct the staff never to lean on or climb on the racks to access packages at a height. This could be dangerous as rackings, workers, or packages could fall if not correctly fastened.

 

After all said and done, these precautionary steps might not be enough in some cases. So it’s best to have a good contingency plan like Silent Beacon. The safety device can be worn by employees and programmed to trigger the warehouse alarm with the push of one button.

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