With the end of year drawing closer, more accidents are expected as warehouses are eager to take advantage of peak. Whether it’s the ‘new guys’ doing things wrong or the ‘old hands’ just not paying attention, the end of the year records a higher rate of accidents than Q1 – Q3. In the preceding part of this post, we outlined the factors that influence warehouse safety levels i.e. organizational, operational and layout factors.

More often than not, warehouses focus on the obvious e.g. the haphazard placement of palletized goods is a recognized organisational hazard. But one not-so-obvious safety issue in this situation is what happens in the event of a fire. If workers have limited access to escape routes, the results can be disastrous.

In the concluding part of this article, we’ll highlight warehouse hazards that many firms downplay but that can also have severe consequences, especially in the mad dash of peak.

OPERATIONAL FACTORS

Here, more business focus on internal staff dynamics such as how staff treat each other and if they get along. But we find four other factors that are just as important.

• How are new staff are recruited? – Whether it’s through the boards at the local Tesco, specialist agencies or general recruiters, you can always find a large number of people willing to work. Like many business owners, you may be looking for the cheapest skillset  available, but is this really the best option? For all you know, you may be getting a ‘Jack-of-all-trades,’ who just happens to have used a forklift at some point. Trust us, when we say having one skilled worker is better than five who just do ‘passable work.’
• Training vs. Retraining – With staff hired, do they undergo further training or are they put straight to work based on their resume? To start work immediately, candidates tend to talk themselves up. While they may have the required experience, the new role is in a new environment with new ways of doing things.

To avoid accidents, take the time to retrain any new staff, regardless of their previous experience. They must be shown how their skills can be integrated into the new wok place in a way that doesn’t cause any friction.

• It bears repeating that safety is not the sole domain of the facility’s safety manager. The phrase ‘ we’re all in this together,’ is apt when discussing warehouse safety. All staff should be cognizant of their surroundings and report any hazards. As part of their duties, front-line supervisors should be involved in the hazard monitoring process.

LAYOUT FACTORS

Common layout factors that can put workers at risk include crowded aisles, poor lighting and mingling of pedestrian and motorized traffic. Other less obvious factors include:

• Workers who work in exposed docking areas are exposed to the double dangers of extreme temperatures and poorly-surfaced docks. With the temperatures dropping steadily (and the rain), workers are prone to a number of cold-related ailments. Numb fingers also grip parcels less securely and can be dropped more easily. Slick surfaces can lead to disastrous falls.

One way around this is the installation of heavy duty dock seals and shelters to protect workers from the elements.

• A warehouse with poor or limited ventilation is a disaster waiting to happen. A build-up of carbon monoxide is deadly to everyone involved and the smoke generated by LPG or diesel-powered forklifts reduces visibility for forklift operators.

More warehouses are encouraged to invest in electric forklifts and reach trucks. Its a win-win for staff and he environment.

• Something as ‘simple’ as how staff pick products can also lead to accidents. The most frequent effects arise from over-stretching and twisting of the body, leading to soreness and pain.

To reduce the risk factors, before any lifting, workers should to pay attention to the weight & bulk of the item and their body posture in relation to it. By aligning the body with the location of the item, it can be picked without twisting of the back. Mechanical assistance via hoists and pallet jacks must be made available where possible.

Though often overlooked, these factors slowly wear away at the workforce till the inevitable accident occurs. But by addressing them early on, facility managers can avoid such accidents. We know peak is hectic, but slow down a little to take care of your staff; it’s worth it.

For all your warehouse storage equipment, protective equipment and design recommendations, contact Monarch Shelving today.