Creating a safe environment in which your employees can work with security and confidence will do a great deal to promote your company in ways that you never imagined. When your workers feel that you care about them and their safety, you’ll find that productivity increases, absenteeism decreases, and the inventory that you have in your warehouse won’t be damaged. When employees are happy, studies show that they do a better job and take ownership in the business for which they work. Simply by purchasing the right tools made from quality materials that help them do their job, you’re making an investment in your company and personnel that you won’t regret.
Good Housekeeping Prevents Accidents
You’ll want the staff to make sure that all traffic areas in the warehouse are free from obstructions that can cause accidents; keep boxes, garbage, and debris out of the way of equipment that is to be used for warehouse jobs. The floor should be clean and dry and ready for work to begin at the start of every shift. Your staff can create areas where specific items can be stored to prevent any hazards as they go about their daily tasks. Remember that common sense is the best policy in combination with training for emergencies that can arise in the warehouse workplace.
Make Sure Employees Use Equipment Properly
Providing your staff with the proper equipment for their jobs is only the first step in warehouse safety that prevents accidents. Each employee should be well-trained on the proper use of his equipment, its specifications, and the amount of load that can be carried when materials are being moved from a higher to lower location. If your staff uses warehouse steps, make sure that they know how to lock the wheels in place and lift materials from the storage shelves to the platform area. Having training sessions regularly keeps all new and seasoned employees up to date on equipment specifications and the proper use of their tools. This training must be mandatory and should be repeated often so that new regulations and operating procedures can be covered with all employees. Team safety when stressed appropriately can do a great deal to unite your staff toward the common goal of a safe and secure work environment.
Invest in Quality Equipment for Your Staff
No matter how clean your staff keeps the warehouse or how much training you do, having the proper equipment for employees is paramount to the success in your day-to-day business operations. You must purchase quality equipment that has specialized safety features and meets industry regulations and standards. As an example, if you provide warehouse steps that help employees retrieve items from lofty storage areas, make sure that you purchase the correct height for the task to be performed, steps that have treads that prevent slips and falls, and heavy–duty construction that will support both employee and inventory in a safe manner.
The old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” can certainly be applied with the equipment that you provide in your warehouse work environment.
