The Most Important Warehouse Safety Tips to Consider
Most warehouse accidents start with either:
“I didn’t think…”
“I didn’t see…”
Or “I didn’t know…”
Well, when it comes to warehouse safety, those three slip-ups can lead to fatal results. Warehouses are busy workspaces typically consisting of industrial equipment, heavy loads, and high powered machinery.
So, to help keep workers out of harm’s way, we compiled a list of the ten most important warehouse safety tips along with suggestions and guidance for implementing. Keep reading to learn what they are and feel free to share the infographic down at the bottom of this post.
The 10 Most Important Warehouse Safety Tips
1. Keep a Clean workspace
The majority of accidents are related to clutter, mess, and disorganization. Therefore, make sure you maintain a daily cleaning routine. Tools, sharp objects, wires, cords, or left over materials lying on the floor present significant hazards, and should be cleaned up immediately. Messy floors can also impact your casters and mobile shelving.
Plus, unkempt workspaces can also lead to unwanted fires and may block emergency exists. Make sure you don’t leave electrical cords lying around carelessly. Clean up any leaks as they happen, especially from containers holding flammable gasses and liquids.
2. Always Wear Protective Gear
It’s important to wear protective clothing including hard hats, vests, gloves, masks, eyewear and proper footwear. These decrease chances for injury and can protect against falling objects, slips and falls, bumping into equipment, dangerous spills, and breathing in harmful debris or chemicals. Hard hats and vests also increase an employee’s visibility in a dark workspace.
Never wear baggy or loose-fitting clothing which can get caught on equipment and in machinery. Tie back long hair and avoid wearing jewelry.
3. Mark All Dangerous Work Zones
Sections, where employees need to proceed with caution, should be indicated. Areas such as dangerous walkways, paths for forklifts, loading zones, conveyor belts, etc. should be marked off either with proper signage, different floor colors, or floor markings.
Understand that it’s critical for both employees and guests to know where they can and cannot go in the warehouse.
4. Stay Organized
Not only do you want to avoid mess and clutter, but develop a proper method of organization as well. The better organized you are, the easier it is for your employees to find and put away items without wandering and running into one another.
Proper labeling will ensure a successful inventory management system and decrease confusion, aggravation, and potential injuries.
5. Train and Re-Train Your Employees
Safety training is essential for new recruits and existing staff. Follow-up training throughout the year is crucial for maintaining a safe work environment. If you switch over to new equipment, make sure you have a safety meeting to address the new machinery and discuss any changes to protocol.
Also, employees should NEVER attempt to operate any machinery without the proper training.
6. Regularly Inspect Equipment & Make Necessary Replacements
Implement periodic inspections for ladders, forklifts, pallet racks, conveyors, etc., and replace all damaged equipment ASAP. Don’t ever take risks with heavy machinery. If something isn’t functioning properly, even in the slightest, fix it or replace it immediately. Do not try to repair broken equipment yourself.
It is also worth noting that damaged pallet racks and broken shelving can lead to fatal injuries. An overlooked dent in a pallet rack may seem like a small cosmetic flaw. However, it can result in a collapsing unit.
7. Always Practice Safe Lifting Techniques
Before lifting heavy objects, first check to see if a tool such as a utility cart, dolly, or hand truck can be used instead. If not, lift with your back straight and your knees bent. When carrying heavy objects, always take the shortest route and slowly lower the load to its destination.
If using handling equipment, carefully follow the proper operating procedures including push rather than pull when possible. Make sure to lean in the direction you are traveling in.
8. Enforce Proper Stacking of Products
Stack loads evenly and straight on storage shelves. Always place heavier loads on the bottom and store smaller objects on higher shelves. Do not exceed weight capacities.
When removing objects from shelves, select one object at a time and make sure you are following the safe lifting techniques mentioned in #7.
9. Be Mindful of Your Surroundings
Remeber never to sit on or lean against any stacked material and never remove guards from conveyors.
Employees should report any potential safety hazards and stay constantly aware of what’s going on around them. Encourage staff to communicate where they are to ensure the avoidance of collision accidents. When carrying items or driving machinery, let coworkers know you are coming through so they may steer clear of dangerous pathways.
10. Have a Plan in Place in case of Emergency
Make all emergency exits known. Employees need to know the quickest route to safety from all locations within the facility.
Additionally, make sure workers know where to find first-aid kits and supplies and that they are easily accessible. It’s also a good idea for supervisors to instruct fire drills routinely.