Did you know the Egyptians practised health and safety in their silver mines as far back as 3000BC?

Or that in 2000BC, it became the law to offer compensation for any permanent injuries sustained by workers?

The Romans even had a goddess for health and safety; named Salaus who was found on many Roman coins. Yet, in more recent years, it seems companies have tried to avoid improving worker safety. This, in part, is what led to the formation of workers’ unions. The pressure mounted by workers and their unions led to the drafting of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Even the fire codes in use today in England stemmed from the aftermath of the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Today, many companies still focus on productivity and profits at the expense of worker safety.

How can improving safety be a more expensive option than loss of life or diminished quality of life? Regardless of the size of the operation, it is important to the company bottom line to keep all workers safe. Accidents disrupt the work process. The loss of manpower and time spent dealing with the incident pale in comparison to the monetary costs that can be incurred if a fatality is recorded.

The ‘profit-first’ line of thought can usually be ascribed to top level managers. However, regardless of position in the company, everyone must be regarded a an employee. Hence the onus fall on everyone to play their role in ensuring excellent health and safety standards.

Sadly, the warehousing industry is one of the most resistant to change.

Industrial safety seems almost to be an afterthought in warehouses across the UK. Most warehouses are focused on maintaining profitability by protecting the goods they handle from damage. They can be MORE profitable if they instead focus on reducing the incidence of risk of injury and illness.

Rather than seeing it as a new expense, companies must realise that maintaining high worker safety levels is an investment. By adding simple safety programs to the existing daily tasks, they can reduce injury and still produce cost savings

At all levels in the organisation, employees must adhere to strict HSE regulations and also play their part in making the workplace safe.

Starting at the top, managers must:

• Commit to providing a safe working environment for staff and visitors. It’s the law to have employers’ liability insurance cover and public liability insurance cover.

• Where needed, management must be willing to re-examine the building & facility layout – and plan a redesign if required.

• Develop a HSE plan in line with their industry.

• Show commitment by releasing necessary funds for redesign and following up to ensure accountability.

• Enforce consequences for those who don’t take it seriously.

All workers must also share company safety goals . It starts with managers managing by example.

Supervisors must report all hazards, near misses and accidents. And they MUST be acted on and referenced at meetings. Supervisors continue to be the link between management and labour. They must have knowledge of all safety procedures particular to their premises.

As such, they must:

• participate in safety training programmes.

• Set a good example for workers to look up to. Hence it is vital, they also show commitment as well. As they are on the shop floor more, they must be seen to implement, support and enforce the HSE rules.

• Have first aid training.

• Ensure everyone gets a copy of the company’s health and safety policy statement.

Worker safety in warehouses is often the product of a series of shoddy practices.

Workers are more likely to do what they see their superiors doing. That being said, all workers must:

• Be given a chance to speak up and give their own point of view about their health and safety.

• Never remove safeguards installed on equipment; even at the request of a supervisor.

• Report all near misses, hazardous conditions and any job-related illnesses
  report any shaky racking.

• Wear the PPE prescribed for their job.

• Never be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on the job.

• Maintain a high level of housekeeping.

• Attend all safety briefings.

• Attend all refresher courses.

Sometimes enforcing safety can feel like a constraint, but if we all did our bit, warehouse accidents can be prevented.

Too often, we look at the numbers and they are easily shrugged off. What we fail to realise is that these numbers hide the human cost of these accidents; mothers, fathers, children, siblings who all suffer due to preventable accidents.

Monarch Shelving Limited supplies shelving, racking and storage solutions to help warehouses keep their freight organised. Call us today for competitive pries and expert installation.