Warehouses can be one of the most dangerous work environments. Debris from stock, spills, packing material, and countless other sources combine with electrical cords for machinery to present slip and fall hazards. Warehouse crews work alongside, and sometimes in the path of, forklifts zipping back and forth, sometimes while concentrating on the 150 pounds of cargo they have loaded on their collapsible hand truck.

There are machines and specialized equipment for stacking, packing, preparing, loading, unloading, transporting, and any number of other tasks being operated. And warehouse workers are often obligated to lift and transport heavy stock. Those machines, and all of the other risks, mean that most warehouses (and all responsible ones) have and enforce very strict rules and procedures to keep their employees safe. However, sometimes the focus on the more well-known safety risks can result in overlooking some of those that are less commonly mentioned, but no less important. Just a few of those are included below.

Getting in and Out of Machinery and Vehicles

With the attention given to avoiding forklifts and other vehicles, avoiding pinch-points and moving parts on machinery, etc., it gets lost that it’s actually very common for injuries to occur when people are on their way in or out of machines and vehicles. Striking the head and other body parts on machines, getting a piece of clothing stuck upon entering or leaving, or slamming fingers and feet in doors are a few of the ways injuries can occur. 

One of the most common causes of injuries are falls. These can occur when handholds and footholds on machinery or vehicles are overlooked or not used. Falls can also happen when one attempts to climb up or down on equipment with a tool in their hands, grabs an unsteady handhold, or is otherwise distracted.

Examining Equipment

Particularly because warehouse workers use the same equipment so often, there can be an assumption that the equipment is as sound as it’s always been. When that assumption is inaccurate, the consequences can be dire. Even something like a pallet jack failing during use can result in injury to stock and, far more importantly, workers. Not only should a warehouse invest in top-of-the-line equipment, from a convertible hand truck to a forklift, but all of that equipment should also be regularly inspected. As injuries involving ladders are so common, they should be checked before every use.

Does It Fit?

The importance and effectiveness of personal protective equipment (PPE) is universally understood within every industry featuring risks that necessitate that PPE, including warehouses. And warehouse management are almost always real sticklers about the use of PPE, as they should be. Less on their collective radar much of the time is ensuring that everyone’s PPE fits and is of the best quality. That’s not necessarily the fault of the management, though, as warehouse crew often bring their own PPE, or choose PPE from a collection maintained by the warehouse. Hopefully the warehouse has invested in high-quality PPE, but that certainly can’t be assumed for crew members bringing their own in. And that the crew is wearing appropriately-fitting PPE should also never be assumed. Everyone, whether they’re management or fellow warehouse staff, should keep an eye out for poorly-fitting PPE. PPE that doesn’t fit is often just as bad (or worse) than having none at all.

About Magline

Magliner products have become such trusted and valued features of the material handling industry that many simply refer to any hand trucks as “Magliners.” Unfortunately for those other brands, there’s only one Magline, and for more than 70 years, they have designed and manufactured the toughest, most reliable material handling solutions. Their transportation and loading equipment additionally includes more specialized tools, including appliance hand trucks, stair climbing carts, and a dependable appliance hand truck line. If your business’s success, efficiency, and growth is a priority, choose sturdy and reliable equipment—choose Magline.

To find out more about Magliner products, visit Magliner.com

Original Source: https://goo.gl/VkMP8z