A safe, orderly, and efficient warehouse is the key to successful warehouse operations. The warehouse, together with the workers in it, plays an essential role in the way goods are sent, received, stored, and circulated throughout the facility. With so many activities going on and so many items to keep track of, a warehouse may also have more potential for accidents. Hence, it is especially important to observe safety measures in the warehouse.
Here are some precautions that need to be observed at all times while working inside the warehouse.
1. Check the load first to decide how best to move materials. Is it through the use of a forklift, hand truck, or by hand? Then check the route. Remove any obstacles that stand in the way. If they can’t be moved, figure out a different route.
2. Make sure there is enough space for the load at its designated warehouse storage system. If you plan to use material handling equipment, be sure there’s room to get the equipment in and turn it around.
3. Only authorized and trained personnel should be allowed to drive the forklift. Forklift safety is complex enough to require its own safety meeting. But there are a few important points that both operators and warehouse workers should always remember.
a. Drive a forklift slowly and obey traffic rules. Only authorized personnel should drive the forklift.
b. Never stand or walk under the raised part of a forklift, even if it’s empty.
c. Place forklift loads carefully so they’re stable and won’t fall off or tip the truck over.
d. Park a forklift with forks lowered and tilted flat, brake set, and key removed.
4. Never ride on a conveyor or crawl across or under it. Keep contact away from conveyor belt’s gears, shafts, and other moving parts to avoid further accidents.It’s also wise not to wear loose clothes or jewelry when you work around a conveyor.
These are just some of the safety measures that you and your co-workers in a warehouse should always observe and keep in mind. For more information about material handling and warehouse storage systems, visit http://www.msshouston.com/warehouse-mezzanines/warehouse-storage-systems.htm.
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