Every workplace has the potential for accidents but the risks within warehouse environments are significantly higher due to many factors including; moving machinery, heavy goods storage, unstable loads, loading and unloading, the potential for exposure to harmful substances, physical strain and much more. Keeping your workplace safe should be your top priority – not only does it reduce potential accidents it will ensure the wellbeing of your employees. Creating a safe space will reduce any chance of potential accidents where employees could sustain an injury or worse.
Raising workplace safety awareness among employees is the first step to working in a safer environment – we have some tips below on how to do this:
Training Employees – By investing time and effort into your employees you are improving knowledge and awareness, every business should look at educating staff on all aspects of health and safety within the workplace. The training will give in-depth knowledge of the types of risks staff could potentially be exposed to and provide them with the necessary know-how to act accordingly if the worst should happen.
In a warehouse environment safety training is particularly important, at STS we provide inspections and we can provide racking inspection training to help improve the overall safety of your warehouse environment as well as teach staff how to carry out weekly checks.
Signage – Your signage plays a significant role in increasing awareness and creating and maintaining a sense of order. One of the easiest and simplest ways of raising awareness is the proper implementation of signage – from slip hazard signage to signs to warn staff that forklifts are being used will all increase safety awareness in your warehouse and decrease the potential for any accidents. Correct signage makes employees aware of their surroundings.
If proper warnings are not in place to raise safety awareness risks in your workplace you are automatically putting your staff in danger, leaving yourself liable if there is an accident and legal action is taken against you. Implementing the proper signage in your workplace could save you and your staff from any consequences of a safety mishap.
Risk Assessments and Inspections – Your risk assessments and inspections, sometimes called ‘audits’ are one of the best ways to increase safety awareness and avoid potential accidents as they will highlight any issues that could potentially be dangerous. It involves a list of documented processes that must be followed to ensure employee safety, inventory security, and optimised workflows and procedures.
Assessments and Inspections should be performed by SEMA approved inspectors, who will assess your environment and your workplace health and safety ensuring it complies with all the HSE regulations. Risk assessments and Inspections should be carried out regularly, at least once a year.
A clean and tidy workplace – Keeping your workplace clean and tidy not only keeps your space safer it looks professional and reduces any potential hazards. It is easy for untidiness to build up at work, especially during peak seasons and busy periods but staff must be aware of the risks that can arise from untidy workplaces. Getting into the habit of regularly tidying the workplace and paying close attention to areas where there is more potential for accidents (walkways, shelves, areas with machinery, etc.) will get your employees into a routine and decrease the risk of injury.
If you are looking for some assistance with improving your warehouse including inspections and risk assessments we can help – get in touch today to discuss your project.