Warehouses Can Be A Danger Zone
You might be surprised to learn that according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), warehouses are one of the most hazardous places of employment.
That’s because the fatal injury rate for the warehouse industry is higher than the national average for any other industry. Which means that when injuries happen in the warehouse… they are usually either very severe…or fatal.
But why is that? What is it about warehouses that can make them such a dangerous place to work?
Risks and Hazards for Warehouse Pedestrians
One of the reasons why the fatal injury rate in warehouses is so high is because of the risks and hazards that workers are exposed to daily. Based on recent data from OSHA and the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, some of the top hazards for warehouse pedestrians include:
- Exposure to forklift traffic
- Falls from upper levels
- Falling material hazards
Understanding how to overcome these risks and hazards will help you improve warehouse pedestrian safety.
Safety Tips for Forklift Operators
- Always yield right of way to pedestrians.
- Stop and honk the horn at intersections and corners
- When provided, use flashing warning lights or backup alarms
- Use a spotter for blind spots
- Always look in the direction of travel
- When a person walks across your path, stop and wait for them to pass, then proceed cautiously
Pedestrian Safety Tips
- Stand clear of forklifts in operation
- Be aware of the wide rear swing radius
- Use pedestrian walkways, or stay to one side of the equipment aisle
- Never walk underneath an elevated load
- Always enter the warehouse using a man door instead of an overhead door
Anytime pedestrians and equipment operators share the same workspace there will be potential for injuries. Forklift operators always need to be aware of their surroundings. And pedestrians need to always be on the lookout for forklift traffic, too.
OSHA Requirements for Warehouse Pedestrian Safety
OSHA recognizes the high risk environment that warehouse workers are exposed to each day. There are several regulations that have been put into place to help protect these workers from the risks and hazards mentioned above.
“Where mechanical handling equipment is used, sufficient safe clearances shall be allowed for aisles, at loading docks, through doorways and wherever turns or passage must be made.” – OSHA Standard 1910.176(a)
Separating and defining work areas and walkways has always been a challenge in warehouse settings. Providing adequate drop-off protection for interior loading docks has also been difficult. However, these are some of the main contributors to warehouse safety incidents.