Warehouses are busy and chaotic places. They are usually a hive of activity and it can seem like an accident waiting to happen to the casual observer. In fact, there are many accidents that do happen in warehouses and many of them can be prevented.
Worker’s compensation lawyers are usually busy with cases from workers that are injured at work because there are companies that aren’t taking their responsibility to protect their employees seriously.
If you are a warehouse manager then you should learn more about the process and take some steps to prevent these injuries that lead to complaints. In this article, we will go over some of the ways that you can keep your employees safe while working in your warehouse.
1 – Keep things tidy
The floor and general area in a warehouse need to be kept clear and clean at all times. All too often, things are left somewhere in a rush so that they can be sorted out later. This is a recipe for an accident as there is far too much movement in a warehouse to leave things in areas where they shouldn’t be.
For instance, a forklift driver expects his route to be clear when moving pallets. He isn’t expecting a box of unloaded goods to be in the middle of the aisle. Not only is he not expecting it but he likely won’t see the boxes there and will end up causing an accident.
This also goes for spills or any dirt that may have accumulated on the floor. This dirt and debris can cause the most common injury in most workplaces, the slip, and falls. Make sure that you have somebody periodically walking the warehouse and looking for spills or other areas that need cleaning.
2 – Supply PPE and enforce its use
Personal protective equipment can come in many forms and each warehouse will have its own specific needs to address what is required for wear. Usually, helmets are used in warehouses where there is heavy machinery being used or the risk of falling items from the scaffold.
Whatever it is that is necessary to keep your staff safe should be provided to them. Not only that but its use should be enforced. Some staff will not want to wear it even though it is for their own good.
3 – Keep Employees trained
Training shouldn’t just happen for new hires. There needs to be a periodic review of safety training and make it mandatory for all to attend. This is a good opportunity to remind everybody what their responsibilities are for keeping themselves safe and how to report unsafe machinery or behavior to the management.
If there is ever any new equipment introduced to the warehouse then the staff also needs to be trained on how to use it and maintain it so it stays in good working order. Even people who might not have to use the equipment should be trained on what it does and how to stay safe if they need to work near it.
Keep your warehouse safe by developing the knowledge and capabilities of your warehouse team, yourself and your wider business. IoSCM qualifications can be tailored to suit the needs of each individual. Choose units of study that match your learning goals, study at your own pace, and select assessment methods that meet your preferences. Speak with one of our team today, or CLICK HERE.