Managing a warehouse is no easy task. The inventory responsibilities are numerous, and keeping a firm hand on productivity levels seems like a full-time job in itself. Perhaps the biggest responsibility of all, though, is to keep your workers safe.
It is no secret that workplace accidents are a hazard of working in a warehouse. OSHA estimates that forklift accidents occur 100,000 times per year. While fluke accidents are bound to happen, there are many accidents that occur because of a lack of hazard communication.
It should be your first priority to make sure your employees are following proper guidelines. Below is a list of warehouse safety tips to include in your next safety protocol meeting.
4 Business Warehouse Safety Tips
Keeping people safe takes more than just tacking up safety guideline posters on the wall. You will have to stress the importance of caution in the warehousing workplace and how to avoid hazardous circumstances.
1. Hazard Communication
Communication is the number one aspect of all relationships, counting the relationship between employer and employee. It is your job to not only direct your workers but to also talk to them about the things that could shield them from injury.
According to OSHA, hazard communication is a critical portion of creating safety protocols surrounding hazardous chemicals or machinery. You are responsible for creating a safe workplace that meets industry standards.
2. Vehicle Inspections And Maintenance
If warehouse vehicles can be the top culprits of accidents, that means vehicle maintenance should be at the top of the list for safety protocols.
All vehicle inspections should be on time and thorough. That way, if something does happen, you won't be held liable for a vehicle that doesn't meet inspection. If the vehicle doesn't meet inspection, you also save an employee from operating a vehicle that shouldn't be in use.
3. Avoid Machinery Entanglement
Warehouses prove to have many opportunities for injury if proper protocols are not followed.
One such accident that could happen is machinery entanglement. When people work in warehouse environments for prolonged periods, they may forget that small things can create big problems.
Workers may not think about their clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Loose-fitting clothing, long jewelry, and even untied shoelaces have the potential to get caught in machinery. It is critical that you remind employees often of these risks and enforce safety dress codes.
4. Keep First Aid Kits Updated
If work is going smoothly, the chances of needing a first aid kit can be slim. When it isn't often in use, it can be easy to let a kit become old or forget to restock its contents.
When this happens, the next time there is a critical injury, you may be left with inadequate aid.
It is important to implement regular first aid kit inspections. Use a checklist to track which items need to be rotated out and refreshed. Pain relievers and other medications can expire, and bandages can be in short supply if the kit has been dipped into.
Schedule a Safety Meeting Now
Maintaining excellent hazard communication in the warehouse isn't only to keep your business afloat. It is about caring for the safety of those you employ and making sure every facet of the organization is doing its part to avoid disaster.
If you found this post on warehousing worker safety informative, schedule your next safety protocol meeting and communicate these points to everyone in need of a safety update!
Now that you know these warehouse safety tips, what is next? Keep browsing our site for more great information on workplace safety and security.
