Making your warehouse a safer place to work
There are many key elements to the successful operation of a warehouse, from the effective use of the space it offers to the precision with which you can find and track your inventory. However, one element that should never be underestimated is the safety of your workers within it. With how costly and disruptive accidents and injuries can be, you need to take a look at the safety provisions mentioned below.
Ensure your team is trained
First of all, you should implement comprehensive and routine employee safety training for every aspect of work in the warehouse. This includes training to help them lift and move objects properly, to identify hazards in their workplace, and, perhaps most importantly, for the safe operation of any machinery in the space. No one should be behind the wheel of a piece of heavy machinery without that much.
Equip them with the right PPE
Accidents and safety incidents can happen in warehouses all of the time. You need to make sure that you prepare for it with the personal protective equipment that can keep your team safe. This includes things like hard hats and goggles, as well as high visibility gear to reduce the chances of accidental collisions. You should also keep noise levels in mind for any places that use heavy machinery and provide protective ear muffs.
Make ergonomics a priority
Being able to ergonomically move and transport goods can reduce a lot of the musculoskeletal injuries that are common in warehouses. For instance, by using a bulk bag filler, you can move goods much more comfortably than you would by pushing a pallet. For any packaging areas, try to create spaces where twisting, turning, and bending are kept to a minimum to avoid strain and injuries, as well.
Don’t put too much strain on your team
Aside from helping them move goods ergonomically, you should ensure that you have access to the heavy lifting equipment necessary for the job. This doesn’t just mean machinery such as cranes, but equipment such as trolleys and lifting harnesses that can help them manage heavier loads without taking as much of the strain onto themselves. Good lifting form and training is always vital, but the right equipment can greatly reduce the physical strain you put on your team.
Keep your space clean
Effective maintenance of your workspace is vital, as well. This includes routine cleaning of any walkways and pathways, with careful use of wet floor signs when necessary. Clutter is another significant risk in manufacturing spaces, as it drastically increases the chances of slips, trips, and falls. The same goes for visibility, which is why it’s important to make sure that your warehouse is well-lit across the board, and that you use markers and stickers to highlight anything like inclines or steps that could otherwise trip workers up.
A safer warehouse is one that’s more productive, more cost-effective, and staffed by a team that is more engaged because their needs are being cared for. Start a risk assessment of your warehouse to ensure that you don’t miss any potential causes of accidents and injuries.