As a manager, you’re responsible for the safety of your team. This is something you don’t take lightly, so you want to make sure you’re doing everything in your power to protect everyone on your watch.
Right now, you feel like your warehouse is a safe place, but you know there’s always room for improvement. Here’s five more practices you might want to consider putting in place.
Hold Safety Drills
It might seem unlikely that an emergency situation will happen, but it definitely could. If it does, you want your team to be prepared. Therefore, it’s important to hold practice drills for a variety of emergencies that could impact your warehouse — i.e., equipment malfunction, the accidental opening of an object that contains a hazardous material or fire.
Create a Forklift Path
No one wants to collide with a forklift. If your warehouse uses them, map a dedicated path for them to move about. Place maps and easy-to-see graphics all over your warehouse, so the path is both literally and figuratively clear. This can help prevent forklift accidents, because everyone will always know where they are.
Supply PPE
In most cases, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires employers to pay for employees’ personal protective equipment when it is needed to meet standards set by the agency. Obviously, you must follow these rules, but you should also provide workers with PPE even if/when it isn’t required.
Workers shouldn’t have to pay for their own PPE or be forced to go without if they can’t afford it. This can make the difference between people staying safe during their shift or getting injured, so find room in the budget for this essential gear.
Require Certifications to Operate Equipment
It should go without saying that workers must never be allowed to operate heavy machinery without the proper certifications. However, this common sense is sometimes ignored.
No matter how much you trust your team, always check their certifications yourself. Never let anyone operate machinery unless their license is valid. If they don’t yet have it or it has expired, they need to wait until they have a current one in hand.
Optimize Your Warehouse Layout
If your warehouse doesn’t properly flow, this can be problematic for several reasons, including safety. Ensure people and equipment aren’t forced to perform awkward and challenging maneuvers by reorganizing your setup so it makes sense. This might require a great deal of time and effort, but you won’t regret it.
Searching for new hires who prioritize safety?
HTSS, Inc. is here to connect you with warehouse workers you can count on. Contact us today to find the best for your Lehigh Valley company.