Proper Ergonomics can Keep Your Employees Safe, Healthy and Happy
Warehouse management needs safe, repeatable processes in order to reduce injury risks. It’s not enough to rely on brute strength and lumbar belts! This is why warehouses implement proactive changes — from stepping up training protocol to bringing in automated equipment like our industrial tugs.
Educating Workers About Warehouse Safety
Train and frequently remind your workers about the most common warehouse injuries. Key issues for your team to discuss:
• Slips and falls: Messy warehouses cause falls, often when workers carry items and cannot see the ground below.
• Forklift and equipment injuries: Even after training and certificates are obtained for operating heavy machinery, each worker should review instructions periodically.
• Unreported dangers: Workers should have an avenue for reporting hazards like chemical fumes and faulty equipment.
• Untrained staff: Don’t skimp on training or let veteran employees miss safety meetings.
Ergonomics to Prevent Warehouse Injuries
Ergonomics refers to tools and methods that have been designed to suit a task. The more you manage ergonomics, the fewer injuries you can expect.
Warehouse equipment is one obvious area to consider ergonomics. For example, you might see a warehouse worker hunched over while strenuously pushing a wheeled cart. This almost guarantees a back injury. Ergonomic industrial tugs remove most of the physical burden and let the worker stay in a comfortable position.
Lifting techniques can also be designed for ergonomics. Heavy items that get moved should be a few feet off the ground so the worker does not have to bend all the way over repetitively.
Next steps: refresh safety training at your warehouse and bring in motorized industrial tugs for better ergonomics.