Blurred Warehouse For Industrial or Logistics Background. Interior Warehouse Space Storage of Tall Shelf. Business Distribution Storage Cargo.
As eCommerce grows, so does the risk of injury to warehouse workers trying to keep up with increased demand. Here’s a look into workplace safety and specific steps, such as use of the Trailer Dolly from DJ Products, that companies are taking to alleviate the problem.
Sobering Statistics About Warehouse Injuries
In 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics issued a report about workplace injuries by industry. At 4.8 injuries per 100 workers, the rate of the warehousing and storage industry is nearly 80 percent higher than the average of 2.7 per 100 of all private industries.
As a result, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched a five-year program aimed at reducing warehouse injuries. The regional initiative, focused on four Mid-Atlantic areas, includes onsite warehouse inspections and targeted enforcement of safety standards.
Tips for Reducing Warehouse Injuries
Daily awareness of correct procedures and recognition of safety hazards are the biggest factors in preventing workplace injuries. How are companies taking ownership of this issue and giving employees proper tools?
- Musculoskeletal injuries, caused by stress to muscles and joints, are common in warehouses. Wearable devices implement “smart” technology to analyze safety risks in real time. Employees wear the devices that track physical data to issue immediate alerts signaling hazardous movements.
- Forklifts accidents, from collisions to rollovers, present a serious challenge. Many companies are improving their training programs while instituting campaigns to raise awareness. Infographics and checklists are posted in prominent areas where they can be seen every day.
- With several warehouse tasks, factors such as repetitive motions and proximity to conveyor belts and other machinery pose a major injury risk. As robots become increasingly sophisticated, companies are turning to this method. For example, logistics provider NFI developed a robot nicknamed “Stretch” that can handle loading and unloading jobs quickly and safely.
Is There a Trailer Dolly in Your Truckyard?
Loading docks are a prime spot for injuries. Our Trailer Dolly lets a single employee move semi-trailers up to 50.000 pounds with ease. Contact us at DJ Products or use the handy online chat feature to learn more from our cheerful and knowledgeable Sales Engineers.