A warehouse can be one of the most dangerous places to work. It can have a wide variety of potential hazards for the worker. Knowing the safety regulations and following them could reduce the risk of hazards.
For warehouse establishments, the ten OSHA standards most frequently included in the agency’s citations were:
1. Forklifts
2. Hazard communication
3. Electrical, wiring methods
4. Electrical, system design
5. Guarding floor and wall openings and holes
6. Exits
7. Mechanical power transmission
8. Respiratory protection
9. Lockout/tagout
10. Portable fire extinguishers
Providing safety signs and labels around the warehouse will create an awareness of the dangers and include instructions for safety. Safety signs and labels can be created and printed with any DuraLabel sign and label printer and DuraLabel supplies. Specialty supplies are available for any situation, including reflective and weather resistant materials.
Safety should be on the forefront of any warehouse workers mind. Did you know that: More than 145,000 people work in over 7,000 warehouses? And that the fatal injury rate for the warehousing industry is higher than the national average for all industries?
Some potential hazards that warehouse workers should be aware of include:
• Unsafe use of forklifts
• Improper stacking of products
• Failure to use proper personal protective equipment
• Failure to follow proper lockout/tagout procedures
• Inadequate fire safety provisions
• Repetitive motion injuries
Warehouse managers should conduct a site hazard assessment to determine what personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn. This assessment is based on the hazards present and to train warehouse employees on proper PPE selection, use and maintenance. A free warehouse safety guide, including safety checklists, is available to you.
Previous posts about warehouse safety:
OSHA & ANSI Safety Signs Best Practices
A Unique Safety Poster
