Everybody knows that warehouses are filled with many hazards – from using forklifts to move stock and heavy items that are stored at high levels. It is important that you keep a check on the proceedings of your staffs so that they carry out their daily jobs in a safe and secure way.
Considering some potential areas such as signage, shifting stock, and vehicles, here are some warehouse safety tips coined by experts for you to consider when operating a warehouse:
- Flooring – This is a vital part which falls under your safety management. You should take measures to prevent trips and slips from happening by keeping the floors dry and clear from obstruction. Before executing the risk assessment, you should prevent what causes the risk. Like, you should avoid spillage of flammable substances or something like grease or motor oil that can make someone lose their traction and slip! You should take anti-slip measures on flooring if there is a risk of slipping. For example, implementing anti-slip tape where the stock is carried out usually, can cut the risk of accidents by many folds!
- Vehicles – Several kinds of vehicles go in and out of your warehouse every moment, such as forklift trucks, distribution trucks and pallet trucks. You should make sure that the driver has the necessary skill to carry out his duties. Vehicles itself can be the cause of accidents in many cases. So you should carry out a regular check and maintain the equipment. Make sure that the drivers/operators are suitable for the stipulated job. If the vehicles have to make a reverse, check for the possible blind spots. It is best to subject your equipment handlers to refresher training sessions so that they can brush up on their skills!
- Equipment and Signage – Setting up signage is essential to draw the attention of the workers in the hazardous areas of a workplace. Setting up signs such as wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is crucial especially if your warehouse stocks chemicals that are corrosive and hazardous. Other warnings include protective signs such as where dangerous chemicals are being used or vehicles being loaded with stock. One should consider implementing illuminated signs above fire exit doors (if it becomes hard to read when the place catches fire!). One should also make sure that the staffs are carrying protective measures too such as wearing helmets, high visibility jackets, eye goggles, hard footwear, etc. with them.
- Handling and levelling stock – Safety measures must be carried out during raking too. Ensure that raking is carried out by a competent person in-line with the manufacturer’s guidelines, as well as taking preventive measure against falling of high levelled stock. Be sure that your warehouse is equipped with anti-collapse mesh or netting for best results. You should have rules which prevent staffs to climb on the racks as well.
Training and refresher training sessions is also an essential step which you must carry out in your warehouse. You must make it mandatory for the new starters so that they follow by the rules and regulations of the warehouse. This training ranges from how to put up a stock perfectly to the proper use of the machinery. You should also carry out additional training for the existing staffs during the period of their working. This can be scheduled every six months or at the beginning of every year to make sure that the working environment is safe.
