The law requires warehouse operators to maintain safety and security. Abiding by laws isn’t the only reason you should make your warehouse safe, though. You have to take into account the conditions in which your employees are working.
Not only are your employees happier when they know they’re safe, but you also don’t have to worry much about the legal entanglements that might come with unsafe conditions in your warehouse. There is a lower possibility of downtime, which is one of the first concerns you have to deal with if your employees get injured. A safe working environment also ensures the continued operation of your machines and equipment, which are safe from damage.
To make sure your warehouse is up to safety codes and standards, here are some pointers to follow:
Certified Operators for Specific Equipment
Forklifts, for example, often figure in many warehouse incidents. To ensure the safety of your employees and property, allow only certified operators to use forklifts and other related equipment on your premises. When such machines are not in use, they should be safely parked in a spot specifically reserved for them. Limit access to these machines even when they’re not in operation.
Shelving and Racking Practises
There are ways to save in a warehouse, but using cheap shelves is not one of them. Make sure your shelves and racks are graded for your specific purposes. Your employees should be trained in the proper way of installing and using them, as well. All products come with guidelines regarding how high you can stack them, for example; it’s essential to follow those guidelines. The goods that often move in the warehouse should be on the most accessible racks and shelves, so workers don’t have to remove other items to get to them.
Cleanliness
Cleanliness in the warehouse prevents a host of problems. It reduces the likelihood of rats, cockroaches, termites, ants, and other critters thriving in your warehouse. It makes navigating the warehouse on foot or a forklift easier and safer. Your equipment won’t be bogged down by a stray piece of rubbish. Cleanliness also protects your people from slip, trip, and fall accidents.
Train your people to clean as they go all the time. Place transparent recycling bins wherever they are needed for easier and quicker disposal of the rubbish. Don’t allow the garbage to stay in your warehouse for long, either. Waste should be taken out and collected every day.
Easy-to-read Signs
Safety reminders and protocols should be printed on easy-to-read signs around the warehouse. Your employees should also have a card in their pocket that enumerates the first steps they have to take once they report for work, to remind them of the safety protocols.
Protective Equipment
PPE or personal protective equipment such as safety boots, gloves, hard hats, and others has been proven to save lives on many occasions. Your company should provide them. This is mandated by law, and it is a good move to ensure that safety issues are addressed.
Safety is everyone’s responsibility. As an owner or a manager, you should lead by example to make sure that your warehouse is a safe workplace.
