Warehouse traffic can be chaotic and unsafe if not managed properly. Warehouse traffic includes forklifts, pedestrians, customers, pickup trucks, and large tractor-trailers. Sometimes even golf carts are used in a warehouse. Put all these types of transportation together in one warehouse, and the risk of accidents becomes a crucial issue to manage, especially during heavy traffic times. It is imperative to have a handle on proper and safe traffic to ensure the safety and well-being of your employees, equipment, and products. Employee Safety Your employees are your front line in the business. They work in the system hour after hour and day in and day out. Empower your employees by asking them to provide feedback on traffic flow, efficiency,...
Cleaning and disinfecting your warehouse can be a struggle. However, there are ways to develop a plan so that cleaning and disinfecting doesn’t become a chore. A plan to make this an essential part of the everyday operations of your facility. An essential part of a clean warehouse is a tidy warehouse, and a clean and orderly warehouse makes for a productive warehouse. An organized environment makes it easier for your staff to find supplies and equipment they need without having to wonder where things are. An established and clean facility directly increases warehouse productivity and boosts staff morale, increasing their efficiency. Warehouse leadership that dedicates company resources and time to make sure the environment is safe and clean...
Vehicle safety is essential in helping prevent injuries in the warehouse. Each year, thousands of injuries related to forklifts and other warehouse vehicles occur in warehouses throughout the United States. Many times, workers are injured when forklifts fall between docks and an unsecured trailer, forklifts are accidentally driven off loading docks, a forklift strikes them, or they fall while on elevated pallets. Many accidents also involve property damage, including damage to racking, pipes, walls, overhead sprinklers, and machinery. Unfortunately, the majority of injuries and property damage can be attributed to lack of safe operating procedures, lack of safety rule enforcement, and inadequate training. Here are tips you should know to maintain vehicle safety in your warehouse: Make sure workers observe...
While loading docks may not get as much attention for their dangers and safety hazards as construction sites do, they are without a doubt the location for many accidents, serious injuries, and even deaths. In fact, 25% of all industrial accidents occur at loading docks, according to the trade publication Industrial Safety & Hygiene News (ISHN). And for each injury that occurs in a loading dock, there are hundreds of close calls. In 2017, at least 14 people were seriously injured from loading dock accidents, nine of which were fatalities, according to ISHN. The sad reality is that accidents can and will happen. As a loading dock employer, you may have the misfortune of one of your workers being...
Chocking, also known as blocking, is a procedure in which chocks — wedges made of dense material — are placed against a truck or trailer’s tires to prevent accidental movement. The bottom of the chock may be coated or textured to grip the ground better. During loading and unloading, wheel chocks prevent a truck and trailer from rolling or moving unintentionally. Without the protection of chocks, the vehicle could move and cause severe injury or death. It is crucial to chock your wheels at loading docks to prevent a dangerous gap between your trailer and the dock from developing, an area which a forklift may have to drive over many times. Proper Chocking Methods Be prepared to chock your truck...
