Between 2020 and 2021, the government reported that there were 142 workers killed in work-related accidents. With this in mind, it’s essential that the wellbeing of staff members is taken seriously, placing the responsibility in the hands of warehouse managers to create a safe environment. By carefully mapping out your site and considering all of the potential risks, you’ll be able to avert an emergency. To help put your checklist together, we’ve highlighted six important warehouse safety tips to ensure the long-term protection of your workers.
1. Maintaining a clear space
Your warehouse should be kept clean at all times to ensure complete safety, encouraging workers to deal with clutter as and when it appears. When unpacking pallets and loads, it’s inevitable that pieces of cardboard will end up on the floor at some point. Rather than leaving it and creating a potential tripping hazard, you’ll need to provide your workforce with large recycling bins for safe temporary storage. Also, machinery will need to be able to move without risk of coming into contact with an object, so make sure to keep aisles clear. Otherwise, you could end up risking harm to both the vehicle and the driver.
2. Providing PPE
What is considered appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) will vary between workplaces. A warehouse is more likely to house hazardous equipment, meaning that the likelihood of risks is also increased. It is an employer’s responsibility to ensure that this equipment is readily available to all employees, evaluating how often their staff will regularly come into contact with potential hazards to determine what’s needed. PPE could include:
- Safety vest
- Steel toe boots
- Hard hat
- Eye protection
- Hearing protection
3. Safety training
It’s vital that employees receive regular safety training to stay up-to-date with the latest regulations. By completing both technical and practical training, your staff will gain a well-rounded understanding of how to operate machinery safely, be aware of the correct PPE to wear on the job, how to handle hazardous materials, and so on. Any new hires should always be provided with an initial training course, with regular training provided to long-term employees.
4. Operating machinery safely
Warehouse machinery can be incredibly dangerous when not used properly, so it’s an employer’s responsibility to ensure that only fully trained workers operate these vehicles. Employers should also make a consistent effort to provide a clear path for staff to drive these vehicles, setting safe speed limits where necessary, alongside performing regular checks to ensure that the machinery is safe to operate.
Mirrors should be situated around the warehouse to increase a driver’s field of view. This way, drivers can keep a lookout for any other members of staff travelling by foot, or other vehicles and objects that could cause a collision.
5. Choosing a door for your warehouse
To increase safety and security in your warehouse, installing either internal or external doors (depending on the layout of your building) will guarantee long-term protection, as well as making your worker’s lives a lot easier. Selecting an appropriate door will depend on various factors, including how much space you currently have, how often the door will be used, and whether they’ll be used for foot or vehicle traffic.
Industrial doors provide unmatchable security for any workplace, protecting valuable machinery or goods inside your building. Structured using durable materials, they can be used both indoors and outdoors, improving business efficiency by providing access into your warehouse with ease.
Whether you’d prefer a high speed door for workplaces where speed is of the essence, or energy-saving sectional overhead doors complete with insulating features, there’s a door to suit any warehouse environment.
6. Warehouse fire safety
Ensuring fire safety in the workplace is crucial for any business, so make sure to provide regular fire training for all of your employees. A warehouse is likely to contain various flammable materials, and leaving objects lying around can cause a fire to spread. Linking back to our first warehouse safety tip, always encourage your staff to maintain a clean and tidy workplace. They should all know who their fire wardens are, and what to do in the event of a fire. Regular fire drills should be carried out to guarantee this.
For more advice on improving your warehouse’s safety, contact our team of professionals today. We can provide suitable doors or gates and barriers – regardless of the sector – depending on your business’s needs.