Every year there are warehouse accidents that could easily be avoided by regular inspections and ensuring your storage systems meet the right legal requirements. Our warehouse safety tips will give you a rough overview of do’s and don’ts to keep you and your employee’s safe at all times.
The most common injuries that happen in warehousing and storage are:
- Manual handling
- Slips and trips
- Work at height
- Falling objects
- Vehicles in and around the warehouse
- Fires
- Exposure to harmful substances
Manual Handling:
Many people who work within the storage and warehouse industry suffer from work related aches and pains, main problems incurred are back and neck pain. When it comes to any manual handling within the work place a risk assessment should be carried out, to avoid injury or discomfort. You should consider assessing the following before the task is carried out:
- Load
- The working environment
- The capability of the individual
- The actual task in hand
Where possible try and redesign the tasks to avoid manual handling, could this be done using a mechanical devise? i.e lift trucks, pallet trucks, trolleys, conveyors and scissor lifts. If necessary, introduce mechanical handling devices to reduce or avoid manual handling operations. Make sure staff are informed appropriately about the manual handing task to be carried out by providing weights of loads and any other relevant information. Staff training should be provided on safe manual handling techniques and mechanical devices.
Slips:
Can be caused by a number of factors; liquids, boxes on the floor, dark areas, loose materials such as sawdust, oils, cleaning products, dry powders and ridges. To avoid slips eliminate any of the above factors so your warehouse staff can work in a safe, hazard free environment.
Trips:
Ensure operating routes are free from any potential trip hazards, move any waste which can obstruct traffic routes. Maintain floor surfaces so they are even and fill any holes. Good lighting avoids unnecessary trips, maintain good housekeeping in working areas and regularly inspect workspaces.
Working at height:
This should be avoided if possible but if it is necessary make sure the work is carried out in a safe way, planned properly and supervised at all times. Specialist training should be provided where necessary i.e mobile elevating work platforms. Make sure all equipment is inspected regularly and if any situation arises ensure the equipment is inspected after to make sure it has not been affected.
Falling objects:
If there is any threat of materials or objects falling and striking someone make sure the area is clearly indicated and that only authorised staff enter the area. Pallets should be inspected each time before use to make sure they are in the best condition to hold the materials or objects. Pallets that are damaged or in need of repair should be removed from the area safely. When loading pallets it is important to ensure the load is stable and the pallets being used are suitable for the racking you have installed.
All racking should be safely and correctly installed to avoid issues of falling objects, it should also be strong enough to deal with any potential bumps from vehicles. All pallet racking MUST be inspected regularly, repaired and maintained – there are three types of inspections that should be carried out:
- Report damage or defects to pallets immediately
- Regular visual inspections should be carried out
- Expert inspections should be carried out throughout the year by a competent/trained person.
Click here for more information about Pallet Racking Inspections/Repairs
Vehicles in and around the warehouse:
Vehicle safety within the warehouse environment must be 100% risk free, always undertake a risk assessment before proceeding with vehicle entry and exit points. Staff should be aware of traffic routes and must understand what vehicle to use for what job – using the wrong truck and capacity when handling goods could end in disastrous consequences.
Traffic routes; should always be clearly marked internally and externally. If possible vehicles and pedestrian access should be separated, always clearly plan your traffic routes and ensure that you do not create blind spots or sharp bends and ensure the surface areas are always maintained. If your traffic route is in close proximity to people, make sure the vehicle is fitted with appropriate warning lights and alarms to raise awareness. Restrict access to pedestrians who are not operating vehicles.
All employees must be made to wear high visibility clothing and be aware of the traffic routes.
Fires:
Safety precautions and firefighting equipment should be clearly visible and marked with the correct extinguisher for use on the right type of fire.
Types of fire and fire extinguishers:
- Water Fire Extinguishers – Red
- Foam Extinguishers – Cream
- Dry Powder – Blue
- CO2 – Black
- Wet Chemical – Class F
- Metal Fires – Class D
You can view the Buildings Regulations here and for further information on fire extinguishers, click here.