5 Common Warehouse Accidents & Ways To Prevent Them
5 Common Warehouse Accidents & Ways To Prevent Them
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It's all too easy to forget that a warehouse is a dangerous place - especially after a long period of no security incidents. In this article, we will examine the main causes of warehouse accidents and how to avoid them.
Hazardous Material Incidents
Hazardous Material Incidents
Production and distribution centers often receive shipments of hazardous or volatile materials, and accidental spills are a sad reality. While people often think that large-scale spills are the most dangerous, even small leaks and spills pose a threat to worker safety. An effective hazardous materials plan helps prepare workers for chemical spills by providing them with the information and training they need to properly contain and clean up equipment. It is also the responsibility of employers to ensure that workers have access to the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and the most current safety data sheets (SDS) when working with hazardous materials. Good HazCom practice is a necessity for warehouses, even if employee exposure to hazardous chemicals is minimal - with the appropriate response plan in place, workers can act quickly to control the spill situation to minimize injuries.
Forklift Crashes
Forklift Crashes
Whether due to a novice worker taking a wrong turn, or an experienced operator having a day off, forklift accidents are a common occurrence in the workplace. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the forklift, the working environment and the actions of operators all contribute to fatal forklift incidents. As such, training in the use of forklifts, as well as training in industry-specific hazards, significantly reduces the risk of injury and death. It is also essential that vehicles are checked before use to detect any defective components that could cause an incident.
Although accidents are inevitable, employers can take steps to create a work environment that is safe and minimizes risk to employees. With regular training and the right tools, employees are better equipped to identify hazards and reduce accidents. The benefits go beyond limiting injuries and reducing claims and can even increase efficiency and productivity in all business units.
Manual handling
Manual handling
Injuries caused by people attempting to lift heavy objects are the most common type of accident in all injuries after slips and trips. Injuries of this type can occur suddenly or over a period of time. Injuries of this nature can be disabling, as they can damage the back, shoulders and feet.
One of the most common warehouse injuries is lower back pain. Manual material handling, such as order preparation and pallet handling, leaves employees prone to injury. It is estimated that back and shoulder pain accounts for approximately 40-50% of all claims filed by warehouse workers. The risk is high when a person handles excessively heavy loads. You can easily adjust your warehouse to minimize these tasks. Provide proper training so that employees can lift items without risking injury. Never have employees lift too heavy objects and make sure that correct shoes are used to prevent slipping during lifting.
Exposure to Harmful Substances
Exposure to Harmful Substances
Battery acid and propane are just some of the harmful substances your employees may be exposed to during the course of their workday. Make sure your employees are both protected and prepared for exposure to harmful substances.
Solution: Avoid accidents in the first place by:
Ensuring adequate ventilation to disperse fumes from gassing batteries
Providing rubber gloves, eye and face protection, and other protection
Enforcing required procedures when refueling gas or propane forklifts
Utilizing conveyors, overhead hoists, etc. for servicing batteries
Be prepared for the worst case. Confirm that all employees know how to find the nearest eyewash station, first aid kit, or fire extinguisher. This can make the difference between a minor accident and a major accident. Also, make sure your fire extinguishers are up to date and fully charged.
Slips and trips
Slips and trips
Liquids can spill in warehouses, gravel can end up on the ground, debris can create risks and things like boxes and Pallets can be left in the wrong place. All of these can increase the risk of slipping. It is one of the most common accidents, but also one of the easiest to avoid.
Make sure you have clear procedures for where things go and what employees should do when they locate or cause spills or similar hazards. Also make sure that all personnel wear appropriate clothing, including shoes with good grip. Floor tape can be used to identify potential hazards while providing good lighting improves visibility.
One Final Thought:
One Final Thought:
Dropping warehouse security procedures opens the door to unpleasant, even tragic, consequences. Invite your staff to participate in a safer warehouse by creating a safety committee. Empower them to create a system to identify and correct hazards to warehouse security.
Do not wait for an incident to occur before taking action. For more safety tips and ideas, download the OSHA Pocket Security Pocket Guide for free. Or contact us to schedule training for your staff. You can also view our overview of forklift and warehouse security for statistics and other information.
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