Practical tips for working safely in a warehouse

'See through the dangers'

Many safety hazards lurk in logistics processes. From the safe loading and unloading of goods to ensuring the health of employees in warehouses, there are numerous potential hazards. What are the general principles related to working safely and healthily in the logistics chain? An explanation.

Frequent accidents in the logistics chain require a thorough evaluation of specific risks. This is therefore an obligation in legislation and regulations: the preparation of a specific risk analysis. When taking the necessary prevention measures, you can use the prevention hierarchy: first combat the risk at the source, then take collective measures and, as a last resort, apply the use of personal protective equipment, such as safety shoes, signaling vest and safety helmet.

Internal transport equipment

Of course, the risks in the logistics chain vary from company to company. The use of forklifts and other material handling equipment is at the top of the list. Possible risks here include the overturning of a vehicle, falling materials to be transported and certainly collisions between a means of internal transport and pedestrians. You can prevent this by taking organizational measures, such as separating forklifts from pedestrians. Training forklift drivers in your company is also very important. In addition, the use of signs, lines and mirrors in hazardous areas is highly recommended.

Machines and knives

In addition to forklifts, other work equipment also deserves attention in terms of safe use. Consider, for example, certain sorting machines or simply a (breaking) knife to open packages. A sorting machine must have a CE mark. A prevention advisor must impose safety criteria at the time of purchase and put it into service after installation. Of course, regular maintenance of these machines is essential to ensure safety. It is better to replace ordinary breaker knives with safety knives. These are knives with retractable blades.

First aid and firefighting

A major health risk is related to the physical strain on workers. This physical strain must be avoided as much as possible. Is this difficult or not feasible? Then invest in the necessary training for your warehouse employees to teach them the correct lifting techniques. Does one of your employees sustain a minor injury? Then you must be able to count on sufficient employees who have the necessary first aid skills. The annual fire evacuation drill is also an important step toward a safe work environment. Make sure there are always sufficient fire extinguishers and trained firefighters on the shop floor. For that matter, even for shift work, there should be enough trained first responders and firefighters on standby. Evacuation doors or gates, in turn, should ensure that in the event of a fire, your employees can quickly evacuate the warehouse. These gates, too, like the machinery in your organization, should be regularly maintained for optimal operation.

Loading docks

Loading docks pose a specific risk. A driver who drives his or her truck up to the unloading dock must receive the necessary safety instructions. He or she must also have the necessary personal protective equipment. When unloading the trailer, the necessary preventive measures apply, with preventing the trailer from moving as the main focus. Another important measure is to inspect the condition of the trailer floor so that unloading and loading with a pallet truck or forklift can be done in complete safety. Potential collisions between pedestrians and forklifts or transpallets, as well as between forklifts themselves, also deserve attention.

Sliding gates

Consider fitting sliding gates with a safety system that prevents them from going off their rails or falling over. Doors and gates should not pose risks to workers. In the outside area, adequate lighting is essential to create a safe working environment. Last but not least, executives in your organization, such as shift supervisors, must adequately supervise operations. They must help ensure that personal protective equipment is used (correctly), that forklifts, wrapping machines or safety knives are (and remain!) safe, and - most importantly - that potentially dangerous machines are operated only by employees who are adequately trained to work safely with them. Overloading forklifts is also an important concern that you should hold drivers accountable for.