Safety must always be a top priority when it comes to warehouse stacking and storage. The warehouse environment is one that can be dangerous, and accidents are common, so it is vital that you are aware of the top safety practices that can prevent accidents from occurring and keep your workers safe. Interested? Keep reading to find out more.
Warehouse Layout & Organisation
First, you must consider the warehouse layout and organisation to avoid accidents at work. This will include having things like clear pathways, designated zones for different activities, and proper signage to enhance both safety and operational efficiency. Slips, trips, and falls are common in warehouse environments, so you need to take steps to prevent these by reducing clutter and supporting smooth movement for personnel and vehicles.
Safe Stacking Techniques & Best Practices
Safe stacking is another essential consideration when it comes to warehouse safety, as items falling from heights is another common safety issue and one that can be incredibly serious. You need to decide between interlocking and column stacking, which will depend on the type of goods and pallet strength. Dunnage should be used to distribute weight evenly and protect from crushing, while banding, shrink wrap, and edge protection can secure items both during transport and storage. Be sure to provide certified training for your team and ensure high-quality PPE is available.
Pallet Racking Maintenance & Legal Compliance
Employers have a legal duty to provide a safe work environment and maintain safe equipment under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, PUWER, and the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999. This means that you need to inspect racking regularly, avoid overload, and respond to any damage in a timely manner. A factory in the UK was recently fined £500k over a worker’s death from a fall, showing that there are serious real-world dangers of non-compliance.
Staff Training for Stacking Safety
Ongoing staff training is essential for keeping safety at the forefront of your team’s minds and ensuring that everyone knows how to carry out their duties safely. This includes things like the safe use of equipment, PPE, hazard reporting, and compliance with current guidelines. Both managers and workers need practical and technical training to stay up to date on risks and safe behaviours. With regular training, you can create a culture of safety awareness at your organisation.
This post should emphasise the importance of safety in a warehouse environment. This can be a dangerous environment for workers, so it is vital that steps are taken to ensure safety to prevent serious injuries and ensure compliance with various regulations. By focusing on the above areas, employers can create a safe work environment for their team and reduce the chance of an accident taking place that could prove to be costly in more ways than one.
