How To Limit Injuries In Warehouses

CONTENTS

• Preventing accidents
  • Equip staff with PPE
  • Regular training
  • Ensure the workspace is tidy
  • Display signs around the warehouse
  • Provide protection against harmful substances
• We're here to help

Statistics by Statista show that 142 people died in the workplace in between 2020 and 2021, reiterating how health and safety in the workplace must remain a top priority for warehouse managers.

Large volumes of products are kept in warehouses across the country, often stored at varying heights and weights. Much care and consideration needs to be put into ensuring the environment is safe for work, and to prevent injuries from occurring to staff.

Our technicians here at ICE Cleaning are warehouse cleaning specialists, with years of experience in cleaning this kind of setting. We can create you a bespoke action plan to tackle your individual needs, giving you the flexibility you require while you work. 

A professional cleaning company can help you avoid injuries at work by keeping workspaces clean and floors free from waste. Whether you require a one-off or contract clean, we can assist you in maintaining high safety standards. Our qualified professionals are also IPAF qualified, which means they can work safely at height.

Preventing accidents

Below we explore some of the ways in which you can prevent accidents from happening in your warehouse. This can range from giving PPE to staff to providing regular training sessions.

Equip staff with PPE

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can go a long way in protecting staff during working hours. For instance, the use of safety gloves and industry-grade shoes on the warehouse floor can provide employees with the tools to conduct operations as safely as possible.

Depending on the industry you work in, extra PPE may be required. Making sure that all the right equipment is provided to workers and that you are following the correct industry standards is incredibly important for preserving the well-being of all parties.

The use of clothing such as industry-grade shoes can help stop accidents from taking place such as falls on slippery surfaces. These materials are designed to give protection to workers while carrying out potentially dangerous jobs.

The consequences of not using PPE properly can result in serious injuries or even fatalities in severe instances. Following the right procedures is crucial to ensuring the safety of staff under your charge.

Regular training

Putting on regular training courses for employees is vital for maintaining health and safety in the warehouse.

This should include how to correctly handle equipment as well as how to use machinery safely. It is your responsibility as a warehouse manager to make sure that the right training practices are in place.

Researching the newest measures can you can help you stay ahead of safety trends in your workspace. Having the correct training standards gives staff the knowledge to work safely and therefore prevent the likelihood of accidents happening.

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) talks of the importance of proper training in the workplace for lift trucks in this article, which you may find useful when organising sessions.

Ensure the workspace is tidy

Any waste should be taken to the designated disposal area and shelves must not be filled too much as this creates a risk of products fumbling down.

This is important when considering forklift drivers too, as they need to be able to manoeuvre through the warehouse when moving goods. This will not be possible if there are things in the way, which could cause them to crash and lead to injuries.

Additionally, when storing goods in their respective area, check that they are properly fixed. They should not be loose or weigh too much for the platform they rest upon.

During your warehouse cleaning service, our specialists will get rid of any waste for you and make sure that the workspace is safe for work to continue once the job has been completed.

Display signs around the warehouse

Wherever there is a danger or possible hazard, it is important that signs are displayed clearly to staff. Visual reminders are a great way at emphasising the importance of safety in the workplace.

Make sure you keep up to date with the latest health and safety regulations in the workplace, assigning the responsibility to the relevant officers to manage.

Include staff in discussions regarding their safety too, as this will make them feel respected in the workplace. It will also affirm that you care about their well-being while at work.

Provide protection against harmful substances

Harmful substances present in the warehouse could cause a range of health implications in the event that staff come into contact with them. 

These substances should all be stored in isolation and only handled by people that have had full training in how to deal with them. Whenever working with hazards like this, PPE must be worn which may include respirators and protective eyewear.

Should a spillage occur, never attempt to deal with it yourself. As soon as you can, make a call to the professionals. They will know how to treat the substance safely and efficiently, and work hard to remove all sources of it.

For instance, here at ICE Cleaning we have extensive experience in this kind of cleaning. We provide services including:

• Mercury spill cleaning
• Oil spill cleaning
• Chemical spill cleaning
• Bromine cleaning

We're here to help

Reach out to our team today on 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk to book your warehouse cleaning service. Our dedicated customer service team work round the clock to help you, and are on standby to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

For more information about how you can protect your employees, have a looked at our warehouse safety checklist to help you keep on top of your health and safety obligations.