Warehouses provide storage space for goods that are waiting to go to retailers, as well as goods that are being shipped out directly to consumers. The workers in these massive facilities deserve to have a safe work environment, and it’s up to the employer to ensure that happens.
The nature of the work in warehouses makes these workers prone to specific hazards. Understanding these is necessary to enhance the safety of all workers.
Heavy and bulky items
Many items in warehouses are heavy and bulky. In some cases, workers are dealing with cases of items. Using proper lifting techniques can help to keep workers safe, but there’s more that needs to be done. All items in the warehouse should be stored neatly to minimize the chance of the items falling. For example, heavy items on a top shelf when lower shelves have lighter items could cause the unit to shift.
Moving equipment
Heavy equipment is another primary hazard. Everyone who operates heavy machinery or who’s working around it should understand how the equipment works. Staying out of the area with moving components and respecting the space the equipment requires to function can help to prevent accidents.
Repetitive motions
Some warehouse workers have to do the same actions over and over again. This can lead to repetitive motion injuries that can slowly creep up on the worker. These often start out as seemingly minor issues that may seem to improve with rest, but they actually get worse as time progresses. By the time the worker realizes that they’re suffering that’s more serious than just a simple injury, they may already have considerable damage in the affected area.
Injured workers need immediate medical care, which should be paid for by workers’ compensation. They may also qualify for other benefits, such as partial wage replacement and possibly vocational rehabilitation. These workers may have to fight to get the benefits they’re due, so it may be beneficial for them to work with someone who can assist them in getting the benefits they should.