Safety Equipment & Policies No Warehouse Should be Without

Safety Equipment & Policies No Warehouse Should be Without

A warehouse is a place that has a lot of hazards, and therefore can be a dangerous place for the people working in it. It’s necessary to maintain the best safety practices in a warehouse to keep your workers safe. A safe working environment is good both in the way of keeping employees unharmed and maintaining productivity levels. Thus, we provide a list of safety equipment and policies every warehouse should have.

 

  • Personal safety equipment

 

Personal safety gear should be provided to every worker in the warehouse. Such equipment protects the workers from impact, machinery and chemical burns. Depending on the task performed by a worker, personal safety equipment should consist of helmets, gloves, safety glasses, ear protection, harnesses, face shields, respiratory protection, boots, vests and kneepads.

 

  • Labels and signage

 

Another important safety element in warehouses is labels and signage for marking and identifying things such as machinery and crates. The labels must mention the contents of a box and other warnings useful for handling it. Stickers should be used to mark hazardous equipment or areas.

Moreover, various areas of the warehouse should be properly marked with the use of signage. Signs must indicate access to the zones and other things such as whether or not smoking is permitted. For vehicle traffic, areas should be designated along with warnings regarding flammable and hazardous materials. Directional signage must indicate fire exits and help locate fire extinguishers.

 

  • Proper training

 

Providing your staff with up-to-date training about warehouse safety processes ensures that they follow all necessary safety procedures. Workers might find it easy to cut corners in order to speed up work. But with regular training programs, your staff will avoid unsafe working practices, and will know what to do in case of an accident.

 

  • Organized warehouse

 

Keeping your warehouse clean and organized will ensure safety in the workplace. You should ensure that the facility is clean and tidy in order to avoid the risk of slip or trip hazards. Things should be in their designated place and the workers should be aware of that. Train your workers to clean up after themselves. For instance, if a liquid is spilled on the floor, it should be cleaned up immediately. In case your warehouse deals with hazardous goods, ensure that the appropriate protocol is followed and materials are stored safely and clearly marked so that the risk of spillage is minimized.

 

  • Vehicle safety policies

 

One of the common causes of warehouse injury is due to vehicle accidents. Vehicle safety is the key to preventing crush injuries, with clearly  laid out rules for forklifts and lift trucks. Workers must be provided with proper practical training for operating the vehicles. This includes safety procedures on maintaining speed limits, being aware of load capacities of vehicles, avoiding reversing whenever possible, following designated routes and being aware of blind spots. It’s important to implement a strict policy to deal with reckless driving.

These are some of the equipment and policies that are must-have for any warehouse to operate in a safe manner. It will avoid accidents and injury to workers. Follow these diligently to maintain a safe working environment in your warehouse.