Health and Safety Tips When Working in a Warehouse

According to the government department, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the main causes of accidents in warehousing come down to slipping, working at height, vehicles and many more. From time off from injury to potential legal battles, health and safety is crucial to business performance and credibility also. As experts in warehouse storage, we understand how general warehouse activity can create many risks. Here are some things to consider:

Vehicles

When it comes to operating warehouse vehicles, always make sure that only trained members of staff over the age of 18 are driving them. Ensure your warehouse has a 5mph speed limit in place, along with a one-way system route and mirrors in the warehouse to aid them with corners and reversing. Finally, always get your vehicle regularly inspected and maintained, as well as the floor they operate on - this will keep the vehicle and surrounding environment safe to drive on.

Slips, trips and working at height

According to HSE, slipping and tripping is the single most common cause of work-related injuries in the UK and, in 2015/16, 40 people died from falls at height. From good housekeeping and cleaning up spillages to removing obstructions and keeping cables tidied, there’s a lot of common sense involved in stopping slips and trips. Where possible, use anti-slip solutions such as:

 

●    Paint - it prevents dust build-ups, reduces slipping, makes the floors easier to clean and minimises wear and tear on floors

●    Tape - useful for stairs and other areas you can’t use the paint

●    Shoes - anti-slip soles can keep employees from slipping when they encounter a hazard

 

Anyone working at height needs to undergo specialist training such as ladder safety training. Misusing ladders can lead to serious accidents. For example, you should never overload a ladder, nor should you use them for more than 30 minutes at a time.

Manual handling and moving objects

Working in a warehouse requires a great deal of physical activity, such as lifting and carrying stock. To avoid back problems, make sure you never carry anything that’s too heavy and use a device to help you when you can (such as trolleys, pallet movers and forklifts). Failing that, break-up loads to make them more manageable or else enlist help from a colleague.

PPE

One of the most important things to have in your warehouse is PPE, which stands for Personal Protective Equipment. You may not think eye shields are necessary for a warehouse, but high-visibility jackets, steel cap boots and protective gloves might be. 

From health and safety regulations to an orderly and tidy workplace, maintaining a safe warehouse is important. To ensure your stock and equipment is stored out of the way and doesn’t obstruct others with expert storage solutions from Racking + Shelving Ltd. Contact us today.