Warehouse safety is a top concern for warehouse managers and employees because of the high number of injuries and fatalities among warehouse workers. To address this issue, warehouse facilities in Dubai are aiming to reduce accidents by implementing effective storage solutions and other safety measures. Fortunately, strategies, including OSHA regulations, can ensure a safe atmosphere without compromising operational efficiency.
Common Workplace Injuries
The initial step to fostering warehouse safety is understanding the common workplace injuries and how they are caused. The following are some of the most common causes of warehouse injuries.
- Heavy Equipment Accidents
Heavy equipment in warehouses, including forklifts and heavy pallets, is the primary source of injuries and, occasionally, fatalities. Workers face risks such as being struck or run over by forklifts, falling between trailers and lifts, or falling from elevated platforms. These accidents happen due to a limited space in the facility, or a lack of training offered to the employees. Therefore, warehouse facilities must facilitate proper safety protocols to use forklifts or other heavy equipment safely.
- Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls are the common cause of the majority of injuries in warehouses. The cause of such accidents can be slippery or uneven floors. Sometimes, the accumulation of debris, residue, grease, or cords in the walking area can create slippery conditions.
- Exposure to Chemicals
Warehouses often store some hazardous chemicals or sometimes use chemicals for production purposes. Accidental spills cannot be prevented from happening, and these chemical leaks and spills are a common threat to warehouse employee’s safety.
- Being Hit by Falling Objects
Stacked items on the shelves always pose a significant risk of falling at any moment. These types of injuries are caused by ineffective operation setup or human error.
- Machine Entanglement
The most severe injury that happens within a warehouse facility is machine entanglement, which occurs when workers get entangled with dangerous equipment while working.
Top Warehouse Safety Tips by Stofix
Warehouse facilities must incorporate effective warehouse storage solutions along with necessary safety plans to improve the operational efficiency and safety of workers. However, safety doesn’t end with the implementation of a safety plan. It is also important to ensure that the safety procedures are executed well. Here are some of the top warehouse safety tips recommended by our professionals at Stofix to prevent the aforementioned injuries.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): PPE is equipment worn to reduce exposure to a variety of accidents. PPE includes items such as hard hats, high-visibility vests, steel-toed boots, gloves, foot and eye protection, protective hearing devices, full-body suits, and more.
Safety Training: Stofix facilitates safety training designed to inform the delegates about the hazards encountered at a warehouse. This enables workers to identify the risks associated with the hazards and how to mitigate them.
Fall Protection: It is important to implement fall protection measures, including guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems, especially for work at heights. The order-picking process in the warehouse demands working at height, which may result in slips or falls. As a result, it is important to ensure that the safety equipment is properly maintained.
Electrical Safety: All lockout devices, outlets, and wires within the warehouse facilities must be monitored regularly. If any components seem damaged, replace them immediately. Moreover, following proper safety measures helps to prevent shocks, fires, and other electrical hazards in the facility.
Fire Safety: Warehouse fires are commonly caused by a series of events, such as electrical faults, malfunctioning equipment, or human error. Therefore, fire extinguishers should be strategically placed in the prone areas and make sure that they are readily accessible during fire emergencies. Furthermore, establish an effective evacuation procedure and train workers to respond effectively in such situations.
Tool and Equipment Safety: Inspect tools and equipment within the warehouse facility regularly to ensure that these elements are working in good condition. Providing proper training to the workers helps them learn how to facilitate safe operations.
Site Security: It is important to have controlled access to the site to secure equipment and materials and to implement effective measures to prevent theft or unauthorized entry.
Housekeeping: It is important to maintain a clean and organized workplace setting to minimize tripping hazards and enhance overall safety.
Summary
Facilitating warehouse operations without proper knowledge of safety measures can be dangerous. Therefore, establishing the right safety protocols can significantly reduce these accidents. When you want to have effective warehouse storage solutions in Dubai, you must include proper safety measures that enhance your workers’ safety and the overall operational efficiency of the facility. Visit Stofix to learn more about our safety features.