Although safety precautions are regularly taken, warehouses are an extremely dangerous place of work. The countless list of dangers and risks that are embedded within the warehouse working life really makes for a life of hell. However, if you have undergone training and are educated on said risks and are very careful, everything should be absolutely fine. Here we will show you just some of the dangers that could occur in the warehouse, so that you are well aware of how to tackle them and to reduce your chances of suffering personal injury. These injuries can be severe, so ensure to read carefully.
Falls from Height
This type of accident is much more common than one may originally think. Predominantly, these accidents happen when a warehouse worker is using a ladder or an elevated loading bay. All it takes is one tiny misplaced step and then that person is in serious danger. It is always the employer’s responsibility to ensure that everything is correctly in place to guarantee optimum safety. One thing to do would be to avoid working at heights at all costs. Understandably so, sometimes working at a height is a must, so make sure to perform a thorough risk assessment. Also, it is essential that all employees have undergone official training to reduce the chance of risks. Moreover, place fall protection on the floor and use knee and elbow guards.
Fires
In a warehouse, there is always an abundance of flammable materials. It is for this reason that fires in warehouses are an extremely common occurrence. Not only are there flammable materials, but there are gases, fluids, loose electrics and wires all over a warehouse – all of which could prove deadly. To reduce risk, carry out frequent checks on all of these substances. If you spot an issue with any of the above, draw this your workforce’s attention straight away so that they can sort it immediately. These things cannot wait. Also, ensure to wear fire proof gear and be extra cautious at all times.
Crushing Accidents
A crushing accident is much worse than just a limb being under pressure for a while. Crushing can often cause life threatening injuries, and in some cases, even death. Therefore, official training must be undergone for all employees. This must be done before employees begin to use heavy plant and machinery. Also, it is essential that headgear and footgear is provided to everyone within the warehouse. To reduce the risk of a crushing accident, ensure to be cautious and aware at all times. This includes looking up regularly as it only takes a mere second for a problem to occur, potentially with fatal results.
Forklift Accidents
You won’t find a warehouse in the entire world that doesn’t have a multitude of forklifts inside it. This is half the reason why forklifting accidents are extremely common within warehouses. The other half of the reason is because appropriate safety measures have not been taken. Therefore, for your own safety, ensure that regular maintenance is undergone on the forklifts. This includes servicing and checking for potential repairs. If a repair is required, do this as quick as possible. Using a forklift that has faults could be catastrophic. Furthermore, drivers of a forklift must have undergone an official training course beforehand so that they are fully familiar with everything that a forklift entails. If they have done their training and are now well aware of all the different procedures, you’re good to go!
As you are now aware, the risks in a warehouse can be extremely dangerous there – and the list doesn’t end there! As long as you make sure to follow all the correct safety procedures, everybody in the warehouse will be safe as houses.
