Workplace safety is a key issue in the UK and beyond, with Statista data reporting that about 142 workers died due to fatal injuries in their work environments in the country. Warehouses are one of the most vibrant work environments in the UK, so they are naturally accident-prone zones. Consequently, it is prudent to find ways to make your warehouse as safe as possible to prevent accidents, such as wearing a half face respirator when chemicals are being used. Here are some of the best ways to boost warehouse safety.
- Create a clear movement system
Warehouses have large crates, rows of shelving, and various types of big machinery. As such, navigating this environment is quite tricky, particularly when there is no clear line of sight. Therefore, there is an increased risk of collision between staff when obstacles are always in the way. Luckily, you can solve this problem by creating a clear movement plan that simultaneously improves productivity and safety. You can create a mobility structure similar to a road or car park to move in particular directions only through specific warehouse areas. This clear movement path will lower the chance of a collision by ensuring that everyone is moving in one direction. It is vital to ensure that the layout is intuitive and easy to follow, so keep this in mind.
- Conduct regular health and safety assessments
There are several health and safety hazards in workplaces, from fires to slips and trips, which are easily identified by health and safety consultancy services. However, you can prevent these hazards from becoming accidents if you spot them in time and take effective proactive measures. Therefore, it is advisable to stay on top of your health and safety assessments to prevent hazards from going unnoticed. Experts such as H&S Consultants are worth employing to fish out hazards and evaluate the risk to employees. The management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 specifies that employers must identify hazards and risk levels to the health and safety of their employees while they’re at work. Consequently, you will be satisfying a key legal requirement for operation besides keeping your business and employees safe. You could even go one step further and take the time to do something like learn more acid storage from STOREMASTA’s Blog so that you can demonstrate that you know exactly what protocol should be followed, and show employees that you genuinely care about their safety.
- Leverage automation and smart technology
The Health and Safety Executive reveals that falls from heights are the second-leading cause of death in workplaces. This isn’t particularly surprising, given that working from a height has a lot of risks. Fortunately, there are many ways you can lower the need for workers to work at a height by leveraging smart technology. For example, drones are gradually being used in warehousing for stock checking. As such, you can use drones to check for, locate, and even transport them if possible, eliminating the need for workers to reach high places. There are many other ways to use smart technology for warehouse safety. You may have heard about Amazon recently patenting a device capable of tracking hand movements and directing staff to the right places. This way, employees don’t end up moving the wrong items or things they don’t have the right equipment to hold. Finally, tracking movements allows you to monitor staff and ensure that they follow safety regulations well.
Thank you! Safety in the workplace is essential. But, you know, many accidents often occur due to the ignoring the safety rules by the workers themselves. Video surveillance installation may increase workers’ sense of responsibility. Additionally, video surveillance will ensure the safety of expensive equipment.