Warehouse safety is one of the most pressing concerns for warehouse managers and workers. This concern derives from the fact that warehouse workers frequently suffer injuries and deaths because of workplace dangers. Here are the top ways to increase safety in the warehouse!
Take Fatigue Seriously
Many significant car manufacturers utilize warehouse workers who perform 12-hour shifts. Injury is more likely to occur near the end of these shifts due to exhaustion, which is unsurprising. Because of their work schedules, shift and night workers frequently become exhausted on the job, making it difficult to concentrate and raising the risk of errors or accidents. Allow warehouse workers to take frequent breaks to reduce the effects of weariness. Adding some stretching time to a shift can also assist them. Designing the facilities to allow for more natural light is another option.
Stack Smart
Manufacturers must keep warehouses stocked with raw materials because supply and demand don’t remain fixed or predictable. These materials and the packaged goods that sit in piles present risks. For example, boxes that sit stacked excessively high are more likely to tumble. So it’s crucial to understand stacking weight standards. Unless the materials are too massive or heavy to handle readily, manually stacking is preferable to forklift stacking. It’s easy to rush a stack job, piling things on top of one other until everything is out of the way. However, taking the time to place goods so that they don’t fall over or cause problems when unloaded is critical to preventing injury.
Address Ergonomic Issues
Musculoskeletal problems can affect muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons. Ergonomic risk factors influence workers in a variety of sectors and occupations. Given the nature of the loads they handle, warehouse workers should be especially cautious about the risks associated with:
- Lifting large objects
- Bending
- Reaching overhead
- Pushing and lifting hefty loads
- Staying in uncomfortable working positions
- Performing repetitive motions
Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are avoidable. You can reduce muscle tiredness and injury with good ergonomic methods. Implement an ergonomics program for warehouse employees and ensure they receive proper training on the subject.
We hope this article on the top ways to increase safety in the warehouse has benefitted your business. From here, it may be a good idea to investigate some racking safety accessories, such as flue space dividers and decking, to ensure that you have the safest equipment possible in your warehouse!