Warehouse workers are highly prone to accidents that sometimes prove fatal. Indeed, the warehousing industry is associated with high injury and fatality rates because of a host of reasons. One of such reasons is the attitude towards safety regulations.
A lot of companies fail to implement safety regulations effectively. When the hazards of working with heavy machinery are added to this attitude towards safety, you have an environment that becomes dangerous to the health of the warehouse workers.
If you are looking to take up a job in a warehouse or you already work in one, here are 5 safety tips that should keep you away from avoidable injuries.
Your company will host regular training in warehouse best practices. Take such sessions seriously because they will provide the information that you need to navigate the challenges of working in the warehouse. It is at such training that you will get the latest safety tips and proper lifting form and techniques that can come in handy at any point in time.
One other reason why you should take your training seriously is that operating warehouse equipment is no walk in the park. This means that you need to be continuously trained and re-trained on how to use operational equipment in such a way that you don't endanger your life or that of others. A lot of accidents that happen at the warehouse are a result of poorly trained personnel operating hazardous equipment.
Given the monotonous nature of warehouse work, you might get tempted to drink alcohol or experiment with recreational drugs while at work. This is dangerous to your safety at the warehouse. Accidents still happen when you try to focus on your duties. Imagine the risk you are at when you operate machines or carry out your tasks when you are under the influence. In such a state, your perception of things and your surrounding is affected, your coordination is most often shot, and you are more likely to make poor decisions. All of these situations are a recipe for an accident, and if you keep putting yourself in such situations, the chances are that you could end up in a workplace accident sooner than later.
It would be best if you kept your environment clean. Minimize the clutter and mess that comes with working in a warehouse. Make sure you clean up while at work. For your safety and that of your colleagues, you must keep your environment clean from equipment, cords, clutter, and liquids. Why? Because it helps you avoid the incidence of slips and falls that could cause injuries.
Of all your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), your safety shoes are most important and must be worn at all times. Always wearing your safety shoes will save you from the dangers that come with working in a warehouse.
Safety shoes are crucial to the protection of your feet while working at the warehouse. It is not enough to have a safety shoe. You need to be able to choose the right type of safety shoe that suits and protects you while at work. Here are some vital qualities that you should bear in mind when choosing a safety shoe:
• Durability
• Comfortability
• Shape
• Flexibility
There are unsafe conditions that could arise in the course of working, for example, leakage and spills, stray cables, cracks in the floor, or faulty safety and operational equipment. The best thing to do in such a situation is to report to a superior. It is their job to keep you safe while at work. Reporting unsafe conditions as soon as possible ensures that such issues are handled promptly, and the risk of injury is minimized.
In the end, your safety is in your hands, and you must be responsible for it. It is better to be proactive than reactive so try as much as you can to adhere to the tips described in the article. That way, you can avoid the harm and injury that plagues a lot of warehouse workers.
Author, Freelance writer