Top Safety Risks In The Warehouse Workplace

The warehouse is a busy workplace with many moving parts — forklifts, workers, truckers, ladders, heavy boxes, and other machinery. The risk of injury at a warehouse is higher than an office, making it especially important to follow safety protocol. Here are the top safety risks in the warehouse and how employees can protect themselves from injury.

1. Electrical hazards

Operating machinery exposes workers to electrical hazards, such as electric shock and even electric fire. When electrical problems arise, some warehouse managers ask workers to fix the problem. But unless they’ve received training in electrical work, employees aren’t qualified to address electrical issues. In these cases, it’s best to hire an electrician to avoid electricity-related injuries.

2. Not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)

Some workers must wear protective eyewear, hard hats, goggles, gloves, and dust masks in the warehouse. Failure to wear personal protective equipment could lead to hearing loss, eye injuries, crushing and impacts, respiratory issues, and severe illness caused by exposure to toxic chemicals. Workers should be trained to safely wear, clean, and maintain PPE to reduce the risk of injury.

3. Falling objects

Warehouses are designed to maximize storage space, which means workers often stack objects to utilize vertical space. This creates the risk of injury caused by falling objects. Workers should be trained to properly stack items using safe techniques and movements.

4. Slips and falls

Holes or cracks in the floor, loose cords, spilled liquids, and unsecured mats increase the risk of slips and falls in the warehouse. Warehouse managers should be on the lookout for any of these hazards and train workers to take the necessary steps to prevent slips and falls.

5. Fires

A single spark could ignite stacks of materials and products, spreading like wildfire in a warehouse. Every warehouse should have automatic sprinklers and numerous emergency exits to reduce the risk of injury or death caused by fire.

6. Harmful substances

To prevent injury or illness caused by harmful substances, all chemicals must be properly stored and labeled. Workers should be trained to safely clean up spills and dispose of dangerous chemicals.

7. Heavy equipment

Operating heavy equipment, such as a forklift, for an extended period of time could cause workers to become lazy or develop shortcuts that could increase the risk of injury. All workers should be taught safety procedures for working near forklifts.

If you’ve been injured while working at a warehouse, contact the best Orange County workers’ compensation attorney for the legal representation you deserve. Thomas F. Martin is just a phone call away!