Logan Voss
If you’re in charge of a warehouse, employee health and safety should always be a top priority. To prevent the most common warehouse injuries, you have to know what they are and how they occur.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls are very common in warehouses because these work environments often call for employees to work in high places. Although these accidents aren’t rare, you can avoid them by routinely inspecting and cleaning high areas where employees will be conducting work.
Obstructions that can cause slips, trips, and falls include oil, grease, ice, wires, and cords. By keeping work areas free of hazards like this, you can prevent one of the most prominent leaders of employee injuries in the industry.
Objects Falling and Striking Employees
Materials falling from forklifts or shelves can result in more than injuries—it can result in nearby personnel’s death. Reasons for these falling objects include employees incorrectly placing loads on the forklifts or failing to place materials on shelves securely.
However, a damaged forklift or shelving unit can also cause falling objects, so be sure to inspect your equipment routinely. Additionally, only invest in high-quality equipment from reliable vendors to avoid purchasing defective, dangerous materials.
Forklift Collisions and Tip-Overs
Forklifts allow workers to transport heavy loads at an efficient pace. However, when it comes to the most common warehouse injuries, forklifts are substantial culprits. Collisions and tip-overs can result in serious injuries and even death. Reasons for forklift accidents vary, with some of the most prominent being operators driving recklessly, refusing to carry out maintenance, or improperly conducting maintenance.
Training and maintenance are key but be sure to outfit your facility with the proper warning signs too. Post signage clearly notifying employees they’re entering a forklift work zone, so they know to remain especially alert.
Muscle Injuries
Many warehouse tasks involve carrying out repetitive movements or handling heavy objects. If business owners don’t prioritize ergonomics in the workplace, employees can endure injures in areas like the neck, wrist, back, shoulders, or legs.
Luckily, something as simple as having the proper material handling equipment can improve workplace ergonomics. Additionally, provide thorough training for all new hires. That way, you can minimize the chances of employees damaging their bodies due to improper material handling procedures.
