Most industries prioritize safety in the workplace. Among these is the logistics industry, wherein up-to-date safety and health practices in warehouses are crucial. With many moving parts, heavy machinery, and fast-paced work, adherence to updated safety standards are essential components of a productive warehouse.
Fortunately, there are regulations set in place to promote safety and the well-being of warehouse workers. To learn these latest warehouse safety requirements, be sure to review the most recent OSHA regulations set in place.
For a more general overview of warehouse safety, read these up-to-date tips.
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Health and Safety Measures
While commonplace practices like rigorous handwashing and staying home when sick are widely known and practiced, the years following COVID have prompted a reassessment of some other aspects of health and hygiene in the workplace. For instance, it’s important to ensure that maintenance and regular cleaning is applied to areas across the board — not just at personal work stations.
- Areas needing regular cleaning include but are not limited to:
- Break rooms/lunch areas
- Bathrooms
- Corridors and offices
Cleanliness and maintenance are important, but another aspect to examine would be just how regularly cleaning and maintenance efforts are being performed. It’s important for warehouses to have standard practices in place, and cleanings on a set schedule.
This could also include regular equipment testing, accessible first aid kits, and having a prompt and accurate incident reporting system.
Ensure Proper Standards are Practiced
A part of upholding workplace safety is ensuring that specific licensure and certifications are up-to-date. For instance, anyone operating a forklift will need to be forklift certified. Another important part of safety regulations is making sure that the needed personal protective equipment (PPE) is being worn at all times, and that it fits each worker well.
- Warehouse PPE can include:
- Safety goggles/glasses
- Face masks or respirators
- Work gloves
- Steel-toe shoes
- Hard hats
- High-visibility vests or jackets
- Hearing protection like earplugs or earmuffs
Another proactive approach to warehouse safety is found in taking certain fall-prevention measures. Many warehouse workers find themselves working at various heights, whether on ladders, machinery, or shelving units. Guard rails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems have become standard in the prevention of serious injury. Implement them in your warehouse if they are not already being used.
Material Handling Safety
Knowing the proper handling of equipment is also important, and should be reviewed during an employee’s training. Equipment handling can involve proper lifting techniques (such as lifting with your legs and not your back), and displaying any necessary signage throughout the warehouse.
Again, preparing employees during training is a crucial step to take when ensuring the safe handling of different materials. It can help prevent accidents, injuries, and damage to goods. Many warehouse employees will need to be able to safely lift at least 50 pounds.
By implementing specific material handling practices and standardizing them across a warehouse, worker safety and productivity can be enhanced, while also reducing accidents or even costly disruptions.
Chemical Handling and Storage
Some warehouses are more hazardous than others, and store dangerous chemicals that pose serious health and safety implications if handled improperly.
Some chemicals warehouses might store include:
- Pesticides and agricultural chemicals
- Flammable liquids
- Acidic industrial chemicals
- Cleaning agents
- Hazardous waste (including battery acid and electronic waste)
- Pharmaceuticals
It’s essential for warehouses to store these materials correctly, as well as for workers to be familiar with proper handling protocol and emergency procedures. These materials should be properly labeled, and the appropriate PPE should be worn to minimize the risk of exposures or accidents.
Safety and Productivity Go Hand-in-Hand
Whether you’re a forklift driver, an associate, or even a facility manager, implementing some or all of these can promote the overall safety of a warehouse and your colleagues. These updated practices can reduce liabilities and uphold your company’s reputation.
While safeguarding the integrity of the shipments and stored equipment is important, the safety and well-being of warehouse staff is the most critical benefit of adhering to warehouse safety protocol.
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