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In warehouses, safety procedures are often disregarded due to a lack of time or effort put into enforcing good safety practices. An attempt to save money can also be a motive for being too lax when it comes to practicing good safety. However, good safety practices which are well implemented hold more benefits than drawbacks when it comes to employee satisfaction and productivity. You will also find that with sound safety practices come fewer disruptions due to employee injuries or equipment downtime. Here are five steps to implementing better safety and avoiding disruption.
Always Use Safety Equipment. Approved eyewear and hard hats should always be worn when operating heavy machinery. Emergency exits and sprinklers should also be installed and all employees should know where they are located and how to use them. These precautions can be time consuming to install and implement, but in the long run they pay off by minimizing workplace injury and downtime.
Identify and Eliminate Potential Safety Hazards. Some of the most common workplace injuries are caused by slipping and tripping. Eliminate the possibilities of slipping and tripping by thoroughly checking the warehouse floors for these types of hazards. Floors should be clear of cords and liquids, and any cracks should be filled in to avoid injury.
Clearly Label Hazardous Zones. The areas where dangerous equipment is stored should be secured and clearly labeled. Safe walkways should be clearly marked and well-lit with the necessary signage installed. Unsafe areas can easily be designated by black and white stripes being painted on the floor where the hazardous items are being stored. Employees should also be aware of what designates these hazardous areas.
Implement Safe Lifting Techniques. Identify the object which needs to be transported and determine the best method for transporting that object. If it ends up that lifting the object is the best possible mode of transport, it is important to take some cautionary steps before just picking up the object and moving it. Be sure the route is clear of obstacles, be sure the object is not inhibiting the view of the lifter, and use all material handling equipment carefully and according to its instructions.
Refresher Courses. Even if all of your employees have taken their required safety training courses once, policies always change and employees can begin to forget about the repercussions associated with not following the proper safety techniques. Be sure refresher courses are required of employees so they may stay aware of the policies in your warehouse.
