Warehouse Safety Tips
Warehouses can be dangerous places to work in, especially if proper safety rules and guidelines are not being met. When putting warehouse safety measures in place, it is important to understand common dangers and hazards related to equipment and products, as these could potentially cause injuries or even death. At Commander Warehouse, we understand how important it is to keep your warehouse as safe as possible. That is why we have put together a list of warehouse safety tips to help you create a safer work environment for everyone.
1. Ensure Forklifts are Only Operated by Trained Employees
While forklifts are essential pieces of equipment for running a warehouse or storage facility, forklifts can cause serious damage to workers and property. In order to minimize the potential risks associated with forklifts, only trained and certified employees should be allowed to operate a forklift at any given time. Operators should also perform daily pre-start forklift inspections to ensure that the controls and equipment are undamaged.
2. Add Safety Features to Loading Docks
A loading dock can be one of the most dangerous and chaotic areas in a warehouse. To help minimize potential risks, it is important to ensure that warning signs and mechanisms are put in place to prevent people who are not supposed to be there from getting near the dock. Forklift operators should also be trained to pay close attention to their surroundings and to drive slowly on dock plates to ensure that the dock edges are clear and safe to support loads.
3. Add Safeguarding Equipment to Conveyors
Even though conveyors are commonly used in the transportation of goods from one area to the next, they can pose serious dangers to workers. When installing conveyors in the workplace, make sure that there is proper safeguarding equipment between the conveyor and the worker to protect them from getting caught in the machine.
4. Implement Hazardous Chemical Procedures
If your employees handle hazardous chemicals in your warehouse or storage facility, a hazard communication procedure should be put in place. This procedure should cover everything from effective training on identifying chemical hazards to the proper handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals.
If you would like to learn more warehouse safety tips, or if you are interested in one of our warehouse products, please contact Commander Warehouse at one of our four locations across Western Canada or by filling out a contact form on our website.