In warehouse and factory management, a good health and safety system can protect the health and lives of employees and visitors. The company can help to prevent illness and injury, making the workplace safe.
As your business expands and grows, are you meeting your Health and Safety Needs?
In this post, we’ll cover 5 of the most common areas of Warehouse Health and Safety that need addressing, including an explanation of why Warehouse Health and Safety is important in these areas and how to avoid accidents and injuries in the workplace.
Slips, Trips and Falls
Over a third of all reported major injuries are caused by slips and trips. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 50% of all reported accidents to members of the public happen in workplaces, costing employers £512 million per year and resulting in time off work for employees.
It’s simple and cost effective to avoid the risks of slips, trips and falls. Check out our top tips for floor safety in a warehouse or factory environment.
Warehouse Steps
Slips trips and falls on stairways can be lethal! According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in 2015, slips or falls on stairs in England and Wales resulted in 787 deaths.
In the workplace approximately 1,000 major accidents occur on workplace stairs every year. In the UK there is a trip on stairs every 90 seconds!
The HSE recommends the following measures to help prevent accidents on warehouse stairways:
- Install handrails at an appropriate height that contrast with the surroundings;
- Make sure your steps have good slip resistance properties, particularly at the leading edge;
- All steps should have clearly marked edges;
- Ensure stairways are free from trip hazards or obstacles.
Read more about how to prevent falls and trips on stairways in your warehouse.
Fire Exit Signage
When we carry out site visits, we have seen cases of fire alarms blocked by a stack of boxes and fire escapes that aren’t kept clear. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
Employers must carry out regular fire safety risk assessments and ensure that appropriate fire safety measures are in place to minimise the risk of injury or loss of life in the event of a fire.
Clearly marked fire exits and escape routes along with regular fire drills are vitally important for minimising the risk if there was to be a fire in your premises.
Find out more about the importance of having clear and visible fire escapes in your premises.
Vehicle Safety
Recent accident studies concluded that forklifts are the most dangerous vehicles in the workplace.
Forklift related accidents vastly outnumber those caused by other vehicles commonly used in distribution, warehousing and storage such as, Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) and Large Goods Vehicles (LGV).
In the UK, around 1,300 employees each year are involved in serious accidents with a forklift that require hospitalisation.
With forklifts, HGVs and LGVs all mixing with pedestrians, distribution centres can be a health and safety nightmare. Implementing safety procedures and marking areas to be used as walkways, forklift trucks and lorry bays can all help with keeping operations running smoothly and at the same time help to keep everyone safe.
Discover more about the different types of line markings needed in distribution centres.
Line Marking Paint
The beauty of using line marking for health and safety solutions is that images and signs are easy to understand. For everyone!
Parallel lines has been providing health and safety markings since 2009, discover how ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ especially when it comes to Health and Safety.
All warehouses and factories need line marking to adhere to Health and Safety regulations, but there are other benefits to gained from line marking. From marking out bulk storage areas, painting forklift lanes and boundary markings, to directional arrows and speed signage, line marking helps improve safety and efficiency.
There’s also the outside of the factory to consider. Parking bay marking can help keep employees and visitors safe in your car park. As with the inside of the building, the outside must also meet safety standards set by the Health and Safety Executive.
Find out more about the different types of line marking services available.