Although there are lots of different factors to consider when it comes to maintaining a well-run warehouse, safety should top anyone’s list. Dangerous equipment, heavy shipments, and fast-paced working conditions mean a lot can go wrong, up to and including serious injury and fatality.
In fact, an average of 19 warehouse fatalities occur every year, but there’s plenty you can do to ensure that never happens on your watch or at any of your facilities. Here are some key suggestions to keep in mind.
1. Keep hazard zones clearly marked
Signage is more than just one of the most common safety measures you’ll see in place when you visit a warehouse. It’s also one of the most effective, as safety signs and stickers feature universally recognizable colors and symbology that get the message across instantly.
Ensure all equipment and materials that carry potential safety hazards are clearly and adequately marked. Do the same with emergency exits, safe routes, and so forth. Every second counts in an emergency.
2. Implement thorough training measures
Not every warehouse worker is as aware as they should be of best safety practices, especially any that are specific to your particular facility. The best way to guarantee all workers are up to speed is to implement thorough mandatory training.
You may also want to consider requiring occasional refresher courses on safety measures. And, of course, the addition of new equipment should trigger another round of specialized training for all who will be using it.
3. Install safety netting
According to OSHA, around 50,000 people sustain injury from falling objects every single year. Falling objects are also among the most common hazards to be aware of in warehouse facilities, even if the facilities in question are otherwise very safety-conscious.
Strategically installing warehouse netting designed to catch these objects can go a long way toward making things safer. Such netting can also help prevent your workers from falling.
4. Ensure proper ventilation
There are lots of different reasons why ventilation might be a concern in a warehouse or similar facility. Some settings may see workers handling or working with fume-producing chemicals or products. And nearly any large warehouse needs to accommodate vehicles that may produce harmful exhaust.
Don’t overlook this commonly forgotten safety concern. Install ample numbers of exhaust fans to ensure adequate ventilation and keep your staff comfortable.
5. Practice meticulous housekeeping
Many common safety hazards are easy to eliminate with routine housekeeping. Examples include slip risks, trip hazards, and so forth. Implement a cleaning routine that ensures dangers like these are kept to an absolute minimum.
Warehouse managers and team leaders should also perform regular checks for additional hazards like stray objects left out of place, cracked floors, equipment that needs to be serviced, and random spills. Eliminating examples like these helps to protect your valuable product and equipment, too.
Of course, the above isn’t an exhaustive list of the safety measures modern warehouses should implement. However, they’re definitely a solid place to start. When safety comes first in the workplace, everyone wins.
