Warehouse Safety – What You May Not Know, May Kill You…
According to one recent study by Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, there are more than 7,000 warehouses employing more than 145,000 workers in the United States. That is a truly staggering number when you begin to think about it.
They further state; “The fatal injury rate for the warehousing industry is higher than the national average for all industries.” Yes, you read that correctly—ALL. That means those who work in warehouses are at a greater threat for death than in any other industries. If you are a lumberjack, in the law enforcement industry, deep sea commercial fishing, a worker in a fireworks factory who enjoys smoking on the job, and just about any other industry you can think of, odds of you being killed on the job are higher if you work in the warehouse industry.
It doesn’t help that recently there was a massive explosion in a fertilizer plant in West, Texas where the casualties have yet to be determined. However this tragedy merely underscores the inherent danger that many American warehouse workers face each and every day.
So what have you done to ensure the people that work for you, and the people you work alongside with, are doing so in the safest environment possible? Take a moment and review the following:
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), warehousing establishments are usually cited for the following five OSHA standards:
1. Forklifts – There are many types of powered industrial trucks. Each type presents different operating hazards. For example, a sit-down, counterbalanced high-lift rider truck is more likely than a motorized hand truck to be involved in a falling load accident because the sit-down rider truck can lift a load much higher than a hand truck.
Um, yeah. Kind of good to know what a forklift can do, and cannot do–especially when large bombs are involved.
Workplace type and conditions are also factors in hazards commonly associated with powered industrial trucks. For example, retail establishments often face greater challenges than other worksites in maintaining pedestrian safety. Beyond that, many workers can also be injured when (1) lift trucks are inadvertently driven off loading docks; (2) lifts fall between docks and an unsecured trailer; (3) they are struck by a lift truck; or (4) they fall while on elevated pallets and tines.
2. Hazard communication – The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is now aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). This update to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) will provide a common and coherent approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information on labels and safety data sheets.
Are YOU the one someone’s mother warned them about?
Once implemented, the revised standard will improve the quality and consistency of hazard information in the workplace, making it safer for workers by providing easily understandable information on appropriate handling and safe use of hazardous chemicals. This update will also help reduce trade barriers and result in productivity improvements for American businesses that regularly handle, store, and use hazardous chemicals while providing cost savings for American businesses that periodically update safety data sheets and labels for chemicals covered under the hazard communication standard.
3. Electrical, wiring methods – Here is an excellent tutorial (PDF) from OSHA that addresses basic safety in the workplace in regards to electrical equipment, tools, improper wiring, installing a grounded outlet and so forth. This is a MUST for your warehouse managers to know about and use when training new warehouse workers.
Don’t be a child – Know the rules when it comes to wiring.
Here is a very helpful breakdown from OSHA: http://www.osha.gov/dte/grant_materials/fy07/sh-16586-07/4_electrical_safety_participant_guide.pdf
4. Guarding floor & wall openings and holes – This may slip by someone who has become accustomed to the warehouse they work in. However for the new employee, it could mean disaster. Remember that Every stairway floor opening shall be guarded by a standard railing constructed in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section. The railing shall be provided on all exposed sides (except at entrance to stairway). For infrequently used stairways where traffic across the opening prevents the use of fixed standard railing (as when located in aisle spaces, etc.), the guard shall consist of a hinged floor opening cover of standard strength and construction and removable standard railings on all exposed sides (except at entrance to stairway).
Alice obviously didn’t read this section…
Maybe even go check to see if your warehouse, or the one you currently work in, has the following safety features when it comes to what OSHA states regarding floor, wall and guardrails.
Again, another fantastic compliance reference from OSHA: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=9715
5. Exits – OSHA describes an exit route is a continuous and unobstructed path of exit travel from any point within a workplace to a place of safety. An exit route consists of three parts: Exit access, Exit and Exit discharge.
Exit access – It is the portion of an exit route that leads to an exit.
Exit – This is the portion of an exit route that is generally separated from other areas to provide a protected way of travel to the exit discharge.
Exit discharge – this is the part of the exit route that leads directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way or open space with access to the outside.
Yes. Even during the upcoming Zombie Apocalypse, be sure to move towards the zombie exit in a calm and orderly fashion.
Again, here is an excellent Fact Sheet (PDF) that you can post in your warehouse to remind you of all guidelines in creating, and maintaining a safe exit route. History is replete with stories where there have been fires or other disasters and for one reason or another, workers have not been able to quickly exit a facility because of violations to this simple, and commonsense rule.
For more: http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/emergency-exit-routes-factsheet.pdf–
Each and every one of these potential safety hazards could result in serious bodily injury and even death. It is critical that all warehouse workers keep a keen eye out for these areas, as well as others, in which they see potential life-threating issues. Take the time and ensure you and your people don’t fall victim to these five common dangers in a warehouse.