Safety is one of the most regulated parts of the warehouse management and logistics industries. As a society, we have come a long way since the inception of industrialization. With the potential of injury and death ever-present in the industry, the rules and potential liability have never been stricter. So, what can you do to implement safety measures and maintain a healthy work environment? Read our latest blog post below to find out.
Preventing Workplace Accidents Is A Proactive Cause
While you can’t foresee every potential accident or cause of a mishap on the warehouse floor, it is essential to be proactive in your safety regimen. You can do this by bringing new employees in on the ground floor with basic safety instructions, providing regular refresher courses, and staying vigilant for violations. Getting ahead of the potential issues and providing training before an accident, rather than in response to it, reduces the likelihood of mishaps occurring, and if something does happen, having employees forewarned on responses can save lives.
The Potential Cost Of Poor Safety Training
A lack of safety can be more costly than the programs and training essential to maintaining a healthy and accident-free work environment. While lawsuits, fines, and medical fees are just a few of the financial costs, what is worse is the potential human cost. Warehouses of every size require the use of dangerous equipment, and even the simple act of transporting boxes of goods can result in a possible injury or death, ruining lives, splitting families, and resulting in life-altering events that could otherwise be prevented. Safety should never be an afterthought and must be an essential focus for everyone from management to the lowest-paid temporary or seasonal worker on the floor.
Top Practices For Good Safety Practices
- Training, Training, Training: Training is essential for workers and managers alike. We say it three times as there are three critical times to train: initially (either on hire or the first few days on the job), regular refreshers, and following any near miss or incident.
- Provide Safety Gear: Boots, hard hats, and gloves are the bare minimum of safety gear that should be provided, with other things like face shields, dust masks, and thermal clothing being necessary depending upon the nature of your products and working conditions.
- Drill Regularly: Fire, flood, injury, and equipment failure are all emergencies that can benefit from preparation and drills. In the unlikely event of a catastrophe, regular drilling can distinguish between a panicked response that results in more damage or a measured and efficient response that can save lives, equipment, and more.
- Keep It All Clean: While a clean and orderly warehouse is a lovely aesthetic, there is more to it than simple cleanliness. Stray debris, dusty or moldy conditions, and ill-maintained equipment can all be potential hazards that may be tedious to keep clean but represent a daily risk that can be easily rectified.
- Don’t Forget Ventilation: whether you are working with products that have a high chance of being aerosolized or not, proper ventilation can help to improve the overall health of workers in the warehouse and provide a comfortable work environment, which reduces burnout and the potential for mistakes.
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