Warehouse Safety Tips You Need to Follow
While most warehouses tend to be quite orderly, they can still be a dangerous place to work if workers are not careful, especially when handling used warehouse equipment. There are many safety tips that your workers should be aware of before they set foot in your warehouse. Damage to equipment or injuries to your employees may occur if they are not prudent. Here, our goal will be to discuss some pertinent safety tips that you should follow in order to maximize safety and reduce damage to warehouse equipment.
Loading Dock Safety Protocols
When it comes to working with loading docks, especially without the use of a forklift, there are many precautions that your workers should take. For instance, they should be told to place the heaviest items on either the middle or lower shelves, as doing so will reduce the amount of pressure on their spine. The last thing you want is workers to have to take significant time off due to lower back problems.
Furthermore, they should also only remove one item at a time, even if it may be tempting to remove several at once in order to boost productivity. As for objects that may impede their work, many workers commonly kick them aside to make room. However, what they should be doing is either carry or push them out of their way instead.
Even unpacking certain crates can lead to injuries if your workers are not careful. Crates are sealed tight with either staples or nails. These sharp items can cause lacerations that can become infected if workers do not carefully handle the crates that they are unpacking.
Understanding Hand Truck Issues
If you use hand trucks in your warehouse, then you may have to teach your workers how to load and operate them properly. You must remind your drivers that they have to secure their loads. They must be set in a manner where the risk of a fall or slippage is next to impossible. Also, if possible, the heavier loads should be set underneath the lighter ones to reduce the risk of breakage.
Even the position the load is pushed is incredibly important. The weight should only be maneuvered by the hand truck’s axle. Use the aid of a spotter if your worker’s visibility becomes obstructed. They should also be taught how to avoid blind corners whenever possible to reduce the risk of an accident.
Lift Table Issues to Look Out For
If you use lift tables in your warehouse, only trained and qualified operators should be allowed to operate them. They are complicated and sophisticated pieces of machinery. Load rated capacity is also something that the operators will always need to consider before they start working. Exceeding the capacity designated by the manufacturer will increase the risk of damage and injury.
Also, some companies make the mistake of using lift tables to transport people, even though in most cases they are not designed for such tasks. Thus, they should generally not be used to transport people unless the lift table has been specifically designed to do so. In the end, the goal of a lift table is to position certain products in a fashion that is ergonomically sound and responsible, as well as to make heavy loads easier to manage and transport.
How to Handle Dangerous Materials
Of all of the safety tips, you should discuss, arguably the one that should be placed at the top of your priority list is how to handle hazardous materials. For instance, your employees should be reminded that they should always read the labels on chemical products carefully in order to l
Chemicals that are labelled as corrosive, caustic, flammable, or poisonous must also only be handled when wearing the appropriate safety gear and equipment. This may include a hazmat suit, goggles, and rubber gloves.
Moreover, the protective equipment that they use may become worn or damaged with repeated use. You should remind your workers to inspect each article of safety clothing and gear for any signs of damage. This may include cuts, pinholes, tears, and split seams.
How to Protect Your Workers From Conveyor Accidents
Most distribution facilities and warehouses will have conveyors on-site. As a result, works may become seriously injured if they ignore nip points or they become caught in pinch points. Other workers may also injure themselves by getting struck by falling objects. They may develop certain debilitating disorders that are caused by awkward posture or via repetitive motions.
The good news is many conveyor-related accidents may be prevented by telling your employees to follow a conveyor safety checklist. Employees should be taught how to lock out the conveyor, as well as how to guard all of the pinch points on the system.
Colour coding the buttons on the conveyor will also help maximize accessibility, and there should be more than enough surfaces around your conveyors, as well as optimal lighting. Don’t forget to ensure that your drive sprockets and belts are properly protected. The protective guarding should be placed beneath your conveyors and on their sides.
The Michaels Global Trading Difference
If you would like to buy or sell used warehouse equipment in Toronto, then please visit our website or call us at 888-471-5066 for a free, no-obligation quote and consultation. Michaels Global Trading is a commercial and industrial facility equipment boutique firm that guarantees full transparency, fair value, and superlative quality. We are also fully bonded and licensed, and ensure timely, concise, and clear communication through every step of the equipment liquidation and decommissioning process.