In a warehouse, there are numerous safety hazards that make the job a dangerous one if all employees don’t understand how to mitigate those dangers. The very nature of a warehouse means that there will be workers working alongside large and dangerous equipment, making it crucial to have a warehouse safety manual / IIPP for every employee. By understanding the dangers that exist and what they can do to protect themselves, both the employees and the company will be better protected from safety catastrophes.

Large Machinery and Warehouses

Getting inventory moved and sorted are big parts of a warehouse worker’s job. Crushing hazards exist for a forklift operator if all safety precautions aren’t taken. However, operating a forklift isn’t the only job that puts people in danger around these machines. The employees who work alongside the forklift must also be properly taught what to do and not do when the forklift is near them.

Other large machinery may include conveyers, trucks and mechanized dock plates. Working around the docks is particularly dangerous for employees who don’t have all the information they need to stay safe from injuries. If the dock plates are not used correctly, a number of dangers will exist for employees. The warehouse safety manual / IIPP must teach employees how to use their equipment correctly to avoid crushing, falling and amputation injuries in the docks and other parts of the warehouse.

Lifting and Other Movement Injuries

Many of the injuries on the warehouse floor are caused by improper lifting of inventory and other items. Lifting heavy items calls for very specific training, and the right warehouse safety manual / IIPP can teach employees exactly how to do it safely. When the proper motions are combined with the right safety equipment, employees can keep themselves from back, neck and leg injuries caused by unsafe lifting.

Employees should also understand when they should not lift an item and use lifting equipment instead. When repetitive motions are necessary, employees need to understand how to use the best ergonomic positioning to avoid repetitive motion injuries. Employees should stay in communication with management about when there are problems on the warehouse floor that make it harder to move safely and when there are slip and trip hazards that must be cleaned up. Reading the safety manual will give employees the training they need to avoid simple mistakes that can lead to serious, preventable injuries.

Fire Safety

Fires are a constant danger in any warehouse. Sparks, electrical ignition and heat from hot work can cause fires that can get out of control quickly. Employees should understand exactly where the fire extinguishers and fire alarm pulls are located and how to use each properly. By studying about fire safety in the warehouse, employees can learn to lower the likelihood of a fire breaking out and to put out a fire quickly if it should start. Knowing how to evacuate the warehouse in the event of an emergency is another important part of the training.

Identifying Dangers

One of the ways that workers can help management with maintaining the safety of the warehouse is by knowing when to communicate with them about potential safety hazards. In a warehouse safety manual / IIPP, employees learn when something may be unsafe and how to handle that danger. They are taught how to stay in communication about the problems they find on the warehouse floor.

Every warehouse team needs the proper training to identify and avoid the many dangers that exist. With a safety manual from workplacesafetymanuals.com, they can get the information they need to keep themselves and their fellow workers from harm.

American Occupational Safety & Health Consultant with experience in Operational Risk Management, Insurance Loss Control, Safety Engineering and other safety related disciplines. Writes safety manuals for the construction industry.

American Occupational Safety & Health Consultant with experience in Operational Risk Management, Insurance Loss Control, Safety Engineering and other safety related disciplines. Writes a variety of safety manuals for the construction industry and a blog to help small businesses with smaller budgets find affordable safety resources online. http://www.workplacesafetymanuals.com

Author Bio: American Occupational Safety & Health Consultant with experience in Operational Risk Management, Insurance Loss Control, Safety Engineering and other safety related disciplines. Writes safety manuals for the construction industry.

Category: Advice
Keywords: workplace safety manual, warehouse safety manual, safety manual