SAFE WAREHOUSE OPERATIONS

Last month’s article talked about cleaning up old materials and classifying them for disposal. Now that some free space has been opened at your facility up let’s talk about warehouse operations. Most points of distribution have some sort of warehouse affiliated with the operation. There are several key areas that need to be evaluated in order to operate a warehouse safely.

First and foremost, materials movement is a key activity in a warehouse. Moving materials, unloading trucks, loading trucks, and placing materials into storage occur constantly in a warehouse. Forklift operators are typically completing all these touches in the warehouse. Forklift operators should be trained per OSHA standards and evaluated periodically to ensure lifts are operated safely. Daily inspections should be completed and unsafe lifts taken out of service. An active near miss and incident reporting system is key to capturing any incidents that result in property damage, but not injuries.

Safe materials storage is also key to warehouse safety. If a racking system is used the load capacity should be known so the racking is not overloaded. Racking should also be secured to the floor. If materials are stored on the floor or piled, these storage piles should be upright and not leaning. Storage areas should be assessed periodically as storage conditions change.

Pedestrians can also be a safety concern in a warehouse. Designated aisleways should be indicated/marked where appropriate. The use of reflective vests is also a good idea. Keep in mind that visitors and drivers may not be aware of traffic patterns at your facility. Limiting access for these individuals can prevent an accident from occurring. Remember, pedestrians always have the right of way. Make sure forklift operators know to make eye contact with pedestrians to help prevent accidents.

A variety of materials from various suppliers may be present in your warehouse. Current Safety Data Sheets (SDS’s) should be available from each supplier and available in the event of an employee exposure. Spills are another possibility in the warehouse. Spill kits and procedures to address spills should be available for employees to use. Employee training is key to making sure employees need to know what to do in the event of a spill.

Does your warehouse contain flammable or combustible liquids? If yes, then fire protection should be available. Portable fire extinguishers that are up to date on service, fully charged, and checked monthly should be strategically placed in the warehouse. Depending on types/quantities stored, fire protection systems (sprinklers) may be required. Working with the local fire department is a good way to determine if your warehouse is adequately protected.

Many warehouses have loading docks. My next article will discuss loading dock safety.

Dave