Warehouse jobs can involve tasks and environments that pose a potential risk to your health and safety. However, most warehouse workers don’t encounter health issues when they follow their standard training and protocol. Understanding and adhering to best practices for staying healthy is essential for anyone who works in a warehouse.In this article, we'll explore the importance of health and safety procedures and how warehouse workers can protect themselves and their colleagues.
Health and Safety is Critical in Warehouse Jobs
The importance of health and safety to warehouse jobs cannot be overstated. Warehouses can be dangerous environments. The constant movement of goods, use of machinery, and manual handling tasks are potentially hazardous. Poor health and safety practices can cause injuries ranging from minor to life-changing long-term health issues.A robust health and safety culture helps prevent accidents and injuries. A proactive approach to safety ensures you aren't exposed to unnecessary risks, and following best practices creates a safer workplace where you can focus on your job without worrying about your safety.
Follow Your Health and Safety Training
When you start a new warehouse job, you will receive thorough health and safety training that covers all the potential hazards in your workplace and how to handle them. This training is absolutely essential for keeping yourself and your coworkers safe. Applying your training to everyday activities will help you to stay healthy in your warehouse job. Shortcuts can be dangerous even if they seem like they'll save time. For example, always using the correct lifting technique, even if the object appears light, can prevent injury over time.You should also stay up-to-date with changing procedures. Warehouses are dynamic environments, and procedures can change in response to new equipment, evolving layoutouts, or updated regulations. You'll receive refresher courses and briefings when best practices change, and you must put what you learn into practice.
Use Recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to gear that protects you from hazards and minimizes the risk of injury on the job. It acts as a barrier between you and the potential dangers within a warehouse. The proper PPE changes depending on your role and the warehouse environment. For ambient warehouse environments, standard PPE includes:
- Safety shoes protect feet against falling objects and slip hazards. Steel toes offer impact protection.
- Gloves protect hands from cuts and abrasions.
- High-visibility clothing improves visibility near moving equipment and vehicles.
- Safety glasses keep debris, dust, and chemical splashes out of your eyes.
For freezer warehouses, additional PPE is necessary:
- Insulated boots prevent frostbite and keep feet warm in sub-zero temperatures.
- Thermal socks wick moisture and provide insulation and warmth.
- Insulated gloves protect your hands and maintain dexterity to handle goods.
- Balaclavas and beanies cover your head, ears, and neck to avoid frostbite. Quick-drying fabrics are recommended.Always ensure that the recommended PPE is used correctly and consistently. Regularly check it for signs of damage and replace any that can no longer effectively perform its job.
The Importance of Correct Manual Handling
Manual handling is lifting, carrying, or moving an object with your body. In a warehouse, you'll move cases of products weighing up to 60 lbs. Incorrect manual handling is one of the most common causes of injury, straining your body in ways that can lead to musculoskeletal disorders and other injuries.To mitigate these risks, warehouse workers must:Understand the principles of safe lifting, such as keeping the load close to the waist and avoiding twisting or stooping.Use mechanical aids like trolleys whenever possible to move goods.Take regular breaks to avoid fatigue, which can lead to injury through poor form.Ensure the pathway is clear before lifting or moving loads.Get training on manual handling techniques specific to the goods you will be handling.Following correct manual handling procedures for your workloads will help you stay fit and healthy throughout your warehouse career.
Avoiding Slip and Trip Hazards
Slips and trips are a common cause of injury in warehouses. Spilled liquids, uneven surfaces, obstructed walkways, and poor lighting increase risks. A tidy, unobstructed warehouse is a safer warehouse. Everyone in a warehouse should look out for potential hazards and take action immediately, such as warning co-workers, cleaning up, or calling a cleaner to clean up a spill.Some of the most effective best practices for minimizing slip and trip hazards include the following.Clean up spills quickly and block off slick areas until they are dry.Keep walkways and work zones clear of tools, materials, trash, and other obstructions.Wear slip-resistant footwear with good traction and support.Report raised door thresholds, cracked flooring, and loose cables to facilities staff for repair.Follow designated pedestrian walkways and avoid taking shortcuts for safety.Remain alert to hazards when traversing the warehouse.
Dot Foods Is Committed to Warehouse Workers Health, Safety, and Well-Being
The health and safety of our warehouse colleagues is our top priority. We invest in training and technology to reduce the risk for every employee. If you'd like to work in a warehouse where your health is centered, take a look at our warehouse job vacancies. We're hiring now for a range of warehouse positions in 15 distribution centers nationwide.