Health and safety is something that should be considered in every workplace. However, some spaces generate more risks than others. One of these examples is warehouses, which can contain risks that you wouldn’t come across in an ordinary office environment, for example.
They’re large, often contain heavy items and also tend to have machinery and vehicles transporting goods from place to place. According to the Health and Safety executive (HSE), common risks that those who work in warehousing are exposed to include:
- Slips and trips
- Manual handling
- Falls from height
- Being hit by a moving vehicle
Manual handling includes the manoeuvring and storing of heavy items and equipment. Here’s why storing items properly is so important.
The Importance Of Securing Equipment
Whether the equipment is considered heavy or not, all items should be secured correctly. Otherwise, the chance of injury will be heightened.
This could be done using eye bolts to secure items down. Alternatively, you could use straps, ropes or chains where appropriate. Although all equipment should be secured, it is especially important that bigger, heavier items are given thorough checks.
Aside from health and safety concerns, this will help to protect whatever is being stored, otherwise there could be major disruptions to the workflow and output.
Keeping the Warehouse Organised
It’s also important to organise equipment in a way that is both logical and safe. You should be able to access certain items without compromising your safety. Warehouse managers should take time to frequently revisit the layout so that better, more efficient solutions can be spotted and actioned to help with workflow and worker safety.
A well organised warehouse will also reduce the likelihood of time being wasted, where employees spend time looking for items or adjusting items that haven’t been stored correctly.
Ensuring That Workers Are Well Trained
As with any workplace, ensuring that employees are well trained and familiar with health and safety procedures is essential. To make sure this is actioned, many employers schedule regular health and safety sessions so that everything is up to scratch.
New employees should receive a thorough breakdown of the procedures in place too. PPE such as helmets or eyewear should be enforced where necessary, as well as the required footwear or clothing.
If there are any changes to the layout or a new piece of machinery is acquired, there needs to be adequate training so that workers can go about their daily tasks safely. At the end of the day, well trained employees will work more efficiently, so it’s not only your obligation as an employer to ensure this, but it’s also in your interest to help with productivity.
