How can you prevent slips and falls in the warehouse?

Slips and falls are among the most common causes of injuries and fatalities in the warehouse industry. They can result from various hazards, such as wet or uneven floors, cluttered aisles, poor lighting, improper footwear, or lack of training. To prevent slips and falls in the warehouse, you need to follow some basic safety rules and best practices. Here are some tips to help you create a safer work environment and reduce the risk of accidents.

1 Identify and eliminate hazards

The first step to prevent slips and falls is to identify and eliminate any potential hazards in the warehouse. This means conducting regular inspections and audits of the floor conditions, the storage areas, the equipment, and the traffic patterns. You should look for any signs of spills, leaks, cracks, debris, cords, or other obstacles that could cause someone to slip or trip. You should also check the lighting, ventilation, and temperature levels to ensure they are adequate and comfortable. Any hazards that you find should be reported and removed as soon as possible.

Add your perspective

Martial Telles da Silva

Enfermeiro Urgência e Emergência | Saúde Ocupacional | Saúde Pública | Suporte Clínico | Health Emergency Readiness for Response Operations | WASH FIT
Report contribution
Boa ventilação e iluminação. Sinalização da localização e fácil acesso aos extintores. Sinalização das saídas de emergência e que elas estejam sempre livres. Corredores com largura suficiente para facilitar o transporte e manuseio de mercadorias. Redução dos corredores de travessia para evitar colisões. Faixas exclusivas para a circulação de pessoas. Juntamente a isto, deve haver uma boa comunicação de perigos.

Translated

Like

2 Use appropriate signage and markings

The second step to prevent slips and falls is to use appropriate signage and markings to warn and guide workers and visitors in the warehouse. This means placing clear and visible signs that indicate wet or slippery floors, restricted or hazardous areas, emergency exits, or safety instructions. You should also use markings, such as tape, paint, or cones, to designate walkways, aisles, loading zones, or storage zones. These signs and markings should be consistent, updated, and compliant with the relevant standards and regulations.

Add your perspective

3 Wear proper footwear and clothing

The third step to prevent slips and falls is to wear proper footwear and clothing that suit the warehouse conditions and activities. This means choosing shoes that have slip-resistant soles, good traction, and comfortable fit. You should also avoid wearing loose or dangling clothing, jewelry, or accessories that could get caught on something or interfere with your movement. You should also wear protective gear, such as gloves, helmets, or goggles, when handling hazardous materials or operating machinery.

Add your perspective

Charlie Turner

Head of Sales and Marketing at V12 Footwear
Report contribution
Slip resistant safety footwear is not only one of the cheapest but also one of the fastest things you can implement when reducing slip risk. Changing the floor if necessary can be most impactful but interrupts production.

Like

4 Follow safe lifting and handling techniques

The fourth step to prevent slips and falls is to follow safe lifting and handling techniques when moving or storing items in the warehouse. This means using the correct equipment, such as carts, dollies, forklifts, or pallet jacks, to transport heavy or bulky loads. You should also use proper posture, grip, and balance when lifting or carrying items by hand. You should avoid overloading, stacking, or placing items in a way that could block your vision, create instability, or obstruct the traffic flow.

Add your perspective

5 Train and educate workers and visitors

The fifth step to prevent slips and falls is to train and educate workers and visitors on the warehouse safety rules and procedures. This means providing regular and comprehensive training sessions that cover the potential hazards, the preventive measures, the emergency response, and the reporting system. You should also provide clear and accessible information materials, such as manuals, posters, or videos, that reinforce the safety messages. You should also monitor and evaluate the performance and compliance of the workers and visitors and provide feedback and incentives.

Add your perspective

Michael Mwate

Supply Chain Analyst
(edited)
Report contribution
From my experience, I have come to learn that warehouse staff are usually trained and educated on Safety but after some time of zero injuries and for some reason, employees turn to be complacent with tasks e.g not wearing a safety harness when working at heights or not using a hard hat in a hard hat area. Why is this? From my analysis, it's all about working on habits meaning staff employees need constant reminders like; 1.Daily SHEQ meetings before warehouse operations 2.Monthly meetings on close-call analysis, zero injuries analysis meeting, or simply SHEQ Monthly meeting review 3.Constant reminders like safety cards 4. Safety shirts with slogans i.e safety starts with me The above can help prevent slips and falls in the warehouse.

Like

6 Review and improve your safety program

The sixth step to prevent slips and falls is to review and improve your safety program on a regular basis. This means collecting and analyzing data on the incidents, injuries, near misses, and feedback that occur in the warehouse. You should also conduct surveys, interviews, or focus groups to gather the opinions and suggestions of the workers and visitors. You should use this information to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your safety program and make the necessary changes and improvements.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Minhajul Abadin

Ex Warehouse Manager || Warehouse Management || Inventory Management || Event Management || Customer Experience || Ex foodpanda ||
Report contribution
To prevent slips and falls in a warehouse, maintain good housekeeping, use warning signs, install non-slip flooring, ensure proper lighting, provide employee training, encourage slip-resistant footwear, use handrails and guardrails, perform regular maintenance, manage spills, focus on ergonomics, conduct safety audits, and foster a safety culture. These measures collectively enhance warehouse safety.

Like

How can you prevent slips and falls in the warehouse?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify and eliminate hazards

2 Use appropriate signage and markings

3 Wear proper footwear and clothing

4 Follow safe lifting and handling techniques

5 Train and educate workers and visitors

6 Review and improve your safety program

7 Here’s what else to consider

Warehouse Operations

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Warehouse Operations

More relevant reading

How can you prevent slips and falls in the warehouse?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify and eliminate hazards

2 Use appropriate signage and markings

3 Wear proper footwear and clothing

4 Follow safe lifting and handling techniques

5 Train and educate workers and visitors

6 Review and improve your safety program

7 Here’s what else to consider

Warehouse Operations

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills