Warehouses are dangerous places to work. Unfortunately, most managers and employers take the “normal approach” toward safety and skip the advanced safety protocols due to which accidents happen. As a facility manager, consider implementing these nine safety tips to reduce accident chances in your warehouse.
Review Safety Hazards
Identify potential risks. Review your warehouse and make a list of all the possible hazards, for example:
- Falling items
- Slips, trips and falls
- Moving machinery
Once you have identified the potential risks, you can take steps to mitigate them.
Develop a Warehouse Safety Plan
A comprehensive safety plan will help you eliminate or reduce potential accidents in the workplace. Outline all the safety procedures and post them where they are visible to employees.
Make sure everyone understands the procedures and follows them. Some aspects of the safety plan include:
- Emergency exits
- Fire safety procedures
- First aid protocols
- Hazardous materials handling procedures- PPE requirements.
Train Employees on Warehouse Safety
Employees should know how to operate machinery, use equipment, and handle hazardous materials. They should be aware of the safety risks in the warehouse and how to avoid them. Organise comprehensive training sessions for your employees and make sure they understand everything before allowing them to work unsupervised.
Use Appropriate Safety Gear
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential in any workplace, but it is imperative in warehouses with many potential hazards.
Employees should wear the proper PPE for their job, for example:
- Safety glasses
- Hearing protection
- Respiratory protection
- Gloves
- Steel-toed boots.
Inspect Equipment Regularly
All machinery and equipment in the warehouse should be regularly inspected to ensure they are in good working condition. Any damaged equipment should be repaired or replaced immediately.
Keep the Warehouse Clean and Organised
A cluttered and messy warehouse is an accident waiting to happen. Make sure employees clean up after themselves and put away materials properly. Spills should be cleaned up immediately, and tripping hazards should be removed. Consider investing in carpet cleaners machines with carpet cleaning solution that effectively cleans any stubborn spills on floors that may cause a major accident.
Implement a Lifting Protocol
Most warehouse accidents happen when employees are lifting heavy objects. To avoid these accidents, implement a lifting protocol that everyone must follow. Employees should use proper form when lifting and avoid twisting or jerking motions. If an object is too heavy to lift safely, get help from a coworker.
Identify and Mark Hazardous Areas
Some areas of the warehouse are more dangerous than others, for example:
- Storage areas for hazardous materials
- Areas with moving machinery
These areas should be off-limits to employees unless they have the proper training and PPE. Put up signs and barriers to ensure everyone knows which areas are off-limits.
Encourage Open Word
Employees should feel comfortable reporting hazards in the workplace. Encourage them to speak up if they see something that could cause an accident. Thank them for their input and take action to fix the problem.
Final Word
Warehouse accidents can hamper a business’ growth and may result in legal action. By following these safety tips, you can create a safer working environment for your employees and reduce the chances of accidents in the warehouse.
