Improving warehouse health and safety
Manufacturing Facility Workers: HSE statistics and history reports show that warehouses and manufacturing facilities can and do carry a serious number of workplace hazards.
There are so many vehicles, machines, racks, and people that it can be hard to keep track of all the different risks.
Here are a few of Fastline`s basic tips to help improve warehouse health and safety.
Eliminate potential hazards
Removing the hazard before it causes issues is the first thing any business should look at doing. Slips, trips, and falls are one of the most common injuries among warehouse and manufacturing facility workers. These are often unnecessary accidents which occur for a variety of reasons. A business should be striving to eliminate these ricks as much as possible.
With one of the largest networks of warehouses in the world, Amazon representatives have said that musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are top of mind when it comes to worker safety. A quote from Heather MacDougall, VP – Amazon worldwide, workplace health and safety, at Amazon said that MSDs are currently the organization’s most common injury, which is why they are keen to put into place programs to help with that. “We always look at how we can design safety into our front end. That’s across all teams and embedding safety into all processes,” said MacDougall.
Training
Companies should provide proper training to the workers. Training is key to ensuring optimal workplace health and safety. There are a number of different roles and tasks in warehouse settings, such as driving, stacking shelves or packing. A company needs to ensure that every worker has received adequate training to prevent any unnecessary workplace accidents.
Line Marking
Marking out hazardous zones is a guaranteed way of improving safety. Pedestrian walkways are necessary addition to areas of high traffic. These should be line marked out and have colour coded systems in place so that workers know where they can walk and where they cannot.
Line Marking is not just limited to areas of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Line marking works just as effective when used to demark our machinery and no access areas.
Clean and Tidy
It is a simple statement but keep the workplace tidy. Things like piles of boxes or loose cables or rope shouldn’t be left lying around. For those areas that are truly hazardous, mark them with clear signage on walls and floors.
Correct Clothing and PPE
Wear proper clothing while working. With the number of different hazards present in warehouses, wearing the right PPE is a must.
Every employer has a legal duty to ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to employees who are exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work.
Heat, Cold and Ventilation
Ensure there is ventilation in the work area. Especially in the warmer summer months, ventilation is key to making sure that workers do not overheat. Depending on what environment they are working in, employees could also be brought in contact with chemicals or particulate matter that may cause harmful exposure if not ventilated properly. Heat-related problems such as heat stress or heat stroke are very real issues.
Provide safety equipment and training
Always provide safety equipment. Safety equipment is available for a reason. With the range of different hazards present in warehouse settings, there are loads of different tools or bits of equipment that workers can use.
Risk Assessments
Employers should be conducting regular risk assessments and inspections of equipment, working areas and racking systems. Inspections and risk assessments are not just there to tick boxes! These working practices help to identify risks and issues before they cause accidents and injuries.
Impact Protection
Any areas where there is risk of impact should be assessed for sufficient impact protection. Simple installations such as rack end protectors and low-level impact barriers can save lives. Impact protection is one of the easiest and most effective ways of increasing workplace safety.
Need more information? Please get in Touch!
Fastline Services Ltd are specialist suppliers and installers of safety products and services. Our knowledgeable staff are always available to chat about the benefits that we can bring to your business.
Our experience and knowledge mean we can point our customers in the right direction.
Get in touch on 0333 733 8024 or contact us through our contact form, and one of our team will be happy to help.