A work-related injury can cost a warehouse on average $38,000 in direct fees, with indirect costs amounting up to $150,000. And, of course, it's about more than just the costs—a safer workplace is a more comfortable, secure workplace. Here's what you need to know about ensuring your employee safety.
Document Potential and Existing Hazards
Begin by documenting your risk factors. Have employees submit their own warehouse safety ideas, and have an independent consultant review your risks and make suggestions. Often, it's difficult for a warehouse to identify its own risk factors. There may be breakdowns in process, workarounds, or failing safety equipment that employees have gotten used to. A third-party will be able to identify these problems.
Provide Employee Training
A well-trained employee is a safe employee. Not only do employees need safety training, but the training has to be ongoing. Frequently updating safety training protocols keeps the information fresh.
In a warehouse, many things are happening at once, and employees often feel that they're being pressured to perform. Safety measures can be easily pushed aside, as employees struggle to improve their metrics. Better employee training doesn't just emphasize the importance of safety, but it also outlines potential consequences for not following safety-related policies. If there aren't clear consequences outlined (and followed), employees may start to sacrifice safety for the purposes of efficiency.
Equip Employees with the Right Tools and Equipment
Employees need the right safety gear if they are to protect themselves. In a warehouse, that includes things like:
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Face masks. Any location with high amounts of dust particulates should include face masks, which should be worn whenever in the area.
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Hard hats. Hard hats need to be worn in any area that could have falling debris and material. Head injuries are particularly dangerous.
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Sound protection. Sound protection will protect employees when they use industrial machinery. Over time, heavy equipment can lead to lost hearing.
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Steel-toe boots. Make sure employees invest in properly sized, steel-toe boots to protect themselves from dropped items and malfunctioning equipment.
Warehouses are dangerous locations. It's always better to be safe than sorry. Having equipment available will make it easier for employees to use it. Employees should be aware that a failure to use the appropriate safety equipment could lead to reprimands.
Warehouse Organization and Cleanliness
A clean warehouse is a safe warehouse. Make sure that someone is in charge of making sure that the warehouse is regularly organized and kept clean. Tripping and falling hazards can lead to significant injuries. When people are rushing through a warehouse, it's very easy for them to trip and fall, and there's no amount of protective gear that can keep them safe.
Invest in organizational tools, such as the right cabinets and boxes, and make sure processes are in place for putting away anything in the warehouse when it's not in use. Frequent inspections should be used to determine whether the warehouse is being kept clean, and employees should be held accountable for making sure their own areas are clean and well-organized.
Are you ready to improve your warehouse safety? Warehouse safety is about training, preparedness, equipment, and tools. If you need to invest in safety and organizational gear, you can find everything you need at ELEVATE Marketplace.
