Successful warehouses are a busy hub of activity where you can expect to see employees moving throughout the facility as they perform their duties. While every warehouse is different, one thing remains the same. Warehouses must make safety a priority to prevent dangerous accidents that hurt workers and leave companies on the hook for major liabilities. Implementing these five policies will ensure safety at your warehouse and keep everything humming along smoothly.
1- Eliminate Potential Safety Hazards
In a warehouse, there are multiple types of recognizable hazards that everyone can help to eliminate. For instance, you’ll want to train your employees to avoid leaving open cords out where they can cause fall hazards or get cut. During various forms of work, your crew may also need to take a moment to address open wiring or block off an area with a chemical spill.
2- Enforce the Use of Safety Protection
Most people would prefer not to wear a helmet that makes their head feel hot and sweaty, but that layer of protection can make the difference between someone experiencing a permanent brain injury or walking away unscathed. Giving your crew the most comfortable PPE you can find ensures that they’ll be more likely to wear it. You can also provide information on what each person needs to be wearing at different stations. For instance, placing signs warning that someone is entering an area where hard hats are required means there’s no excuse for not wearing one.
3- Label Hazardous Zones and Chemicals
Speaking of warning signs, labeling is critical for keeping warehouses safer. If possible, consider using pavement markings and line striping to mark off areas that are permanently used for specific purposes. Color coding pedestrian-only zones such as crosswalks along with loading areas helps foot and vehicle traffic avoid collisions. If there are areas of the warehouse that are restricted to only certain trained employees, these should be marked. During the marking process, don’t forget to label hazardous chemicals. Knowing what spilled and how to handle it can make a huge difference in the outcome of a chemical exposure incident.
4- Perform Regular Inspections
The combination of heavy equipment and frequent traffic can lead to wear and tear on common warehouse components. Faulty wiring can cause a fire hazard, and leaky plumbing can lead to many safety issues within a warehouse facility. You’ll also want to stay on top of ground maintenance, which includes repairing asphalt pavement and other types of flooring. Appointing a crew to inspect the warehouse regularly ensures that no minor repair issue leads to a major mishap. Additionally, make sure to inspect the warehouse vehicles every time they are put to use. Training the drivers to inspect forklifts for common problems before they start working can catch issues before they cause harm.
5- Plan For and Practice Emergency Procedures
Ideally, no one will ever need to handle a chemical exposure or flee a burning warehouse, but it is best to plan for the unexpected. Training your team on how to handle common emergencies gives them confidence if the worst-case scenario should happen, and applying first aid as soon as possible can prevent many injuries from becoming life-threatening. Take time to include training in your warehouse operations that sets clear expectations for how to evacuate the building or handle an accident that involves bodily fluids. Practicing emergency procedures regularly has the additional benefit of highlighting the importance of following the safety rules at work. After all, focusing on safety at all times prevents everyone from having to use emergency procedures.
The majority of warehouse safety incidents are preventable, and you can protect everyone who works on or visits your property. When in doubt, it’s better to be on the safe side than to leave things to chance. Being proactive about safety at your warehouse facility allows your business to maintain a positive reputation in the community.
About the author
Katherine Robinson, a writer for BST Elexis
