Risks exist in all workplaces; however, warehouses can be very risky. All warehouses are full of undisputable problems and hazards, some more common than others. From the dangerous substances to the heavy loads, below are some common safety problems in a warehouse and how to solve them.
Falling Objects
Warehouses are usually continuous action hubs; this means that the chances of things falling every minute are high. Goods can easily fall and injure your team. Things like lift boxes being loaded up high and goods not being pushed too deep in the shelf are predictable. However, you can never predict if AC equipment can fall from the ceiling.
To avoid this issue, make sure that your team is adequately trained to pile goods as carefully and safely as possible so that they don’t fall or shift. Your team should know that heavier items should be placed towards the bottom and the lighter ones at the top.
Fire
Fire is one of the most ignored and forgotten warehouse risks; however, this is usually the most devastating thing that can happen inside a warehouse. Once the sprinklers are installed, workers focus more on other warehouse hazards like falls, trips, machine impact, and slips.
To prevent fires in the warehouse, you should understand all the laws that apply to fire protection in warehouses, beware of the products you are handling, carry out a risk assessment, train your workers on all fire safety procedures, avoid using electrical heaters, and frequently check the sprinklers and the hydrants. More important, you should consider hiring an attendant safety watcher.
Trips, Slips, and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls usually account for a greater number of accidents in a warehouse. Preventing a slip or fall might seem practical, but many warehouse hazards can worsen the problem. Warehouse workers might come across some tripping hazards and are usually surrounded by equipment and tools that they could easily trip on or hit and fall on.
To avoid this problem, workers need to know and understand where they are. They need to beware of their surroundings. Make sure that there are guard rails whenever necessary. Your team should be trained on how to use fall resistants such as warning lines, body harnesses, and guard rails. In severe situations, a safety nest should be set up to catch anyone who has fallen.
Forklift Accidents
Forklifts are one of the most hazardous pieces of equipment that are used in a warehouse. Just a single mistake while operating a forklift can cause extensive damage to the warehouse building and can also injure your team. Forklift accidents usually happen due to poor lighting, lack of training, obstacles, narrow passage, speeding, the forklift’s age, mechanical malfunctions, and too much traffic in the warehouse.
To avoid this problem, ensure that all the workers operating forklifts are adequately trained and certified to operate them. You should also place warning labels in specific areas where the forklift operators can quickly notice them.
Hazards are there in any workplace, but you need to look after your staff by providing them with frequent training and, most importantly, follow the warehouse safety rules to guarantee a safe experience throughout.
