There are more than 1.4 million people currently employed in the warehousing sector. This sector is known for having a high rate of injury and death among workers due to hazardous working conditions. In 2019 alone, more than 5,000 workers were killed while on the job.
These daunting statistics show why increasing warehouse safety should be a primary concern. Thankfully, there are a few best practices you can put in place to help decrease the risk of injury in your warehouse environment.
What are these safety best practices? Continue reading to learn a few of the essential safety tips to implement if you haven’t already.
Table of Contents
Use PPE Properly
PPE, or personal protective equipment, needs to be worn correctly and at all times when inside the warehouse. All employees working on the floor should be required to wear high visibility jackets or vests and safety boots, or non-slip sneakers. Depending on where on the floor someone works and what job they’re doing, they may also need:
- hard hats
- safety glasses
- safety gloves
Increase Safety Training for All Employees
Increased safety training for all employees, no matter their position, is one of the greatest things a company can do to improve warehouse safety. Fully encompassing training should be done at hire, and employees should be given a safety booklet to reference at that time. Refresher courses should occur at least annually or whenever new information becomes available.
Block Off Dock Access
Docks are dangerous for several reasons. You can prevent falls by roping off or otherwise blocking access to any dock with a fall of four or more feet. Doors to docks should also be kept closed when not in use.
Use signs and ground markings around loading or unloading areas. This lets workers know they’re entering a site where hazards are likely.
Created Designated Forklift Paths
Use floor markings along with other indicators to create designated forklift paths throughout your warehouse. Markings allow other employees to be extra cautious when crossing these sections. Forklift operators should also be licensed, provided additional training information, and wear a seatbelt at all times.
Keep Everything Clean
One of the easiest ways to increase warehouse safety is to increase cleaning procedures. Dirty warehouses increase the risk of fires, explosions, slips, falls, and other serious problems. Hiring a reliable cleaning company, like Prestige Janitorial Services, can help increase cleaning without adding full-time workers to the payroll.
More Questions About Warehouse Safety?
The warehouse sector is known to be especially dangerous due to hazardous working conditions. The collection of safety best practices above can help reduce the frequency of injuries or deaths in workhouses. This listing isn’t all-inclusive, and other safety procedures may need to be implemented based on individual warehouse situations.
Do you have more questions about warehouse safety?
Check out our other blogs. You’ll find articles on warehouse safety, forklifts, and similar topics to help you become more knowledgeable on the matter.
