Tag: Warehouse Safety

Warehouse Tips: Special Considerations for Warehouse Shift Worker Safety

Always Enforce Safety Rules - It Might Just Save a Life!
Always Enforce Safety Rules – It Might Just Save a Life!

While material handling equipment can handle the demands of being on duty 24/7, warehouse workers rely on shifts to accommodate round-the-clock staffing needs. While nearly 15 million Americans are employed on shifts, night or long-term shift work can result in health and safety risks.

Happy and healthy workers improve job productivity and employee retention rates. Protect your staff with these helpful tips for managing shift work.

Tips for Managing Warehouse Shift Work

Shift work, especially for employees on rotating or night shifts, interferes with the body’s circadian rhythms, which form the internal clock that governs wakefulness. Disrupted sleep patterns can lead to emotional, metabolic and cardiovascular problems as well as greater risk of workplace errors and injuries.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that employers incorporate these procedures for shift workers:

– Schedule workers for a minimum of 10 consecutive off-duty hours each day so they can get seven to eight hours of sleep.

– In addition to regular meal breaks, provide short breaks every one to two hours for particularly demanding jobs.

– Limit shifts to no more than 10 hours wherever possible.

– Provide workers with education and resources about shift work.

Here are steps that shift workers can take individually to control fatigue:

– Take a walk before the start of the shift, preferably outdoors in daylight.

– Limit consumption of caffeinated beverages such as coffee and cola to the first half of the shift to avoid sleep problems.

– Take frequent mini-breaks to move around and keep muscles loose.

Combat Shift Work Fatigue with Material Handling Equipment from DJ Products

Our battery-powered material handling equipment is easy to use and designed to prevent common musculoskeletal injuries. Contact us to find the right tug, mover or pusher for your applications.

OSHA’s Most Cited Safety Issues for 2018

Don't Be These Guys in the Workplace - Horsing Around Isn't Funny nor Smart for your Health.
Don’t Be These Guys in the Workplace – Horsing Around Isn’t Funny nor Smart for your Health.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created to establish and enforce standardized safety and health regulations across private sector companies. Each year OSHA issues a list of the most-cited violations involving misuse of warehouse equipment and other unsafe practices.

For the last two years, the top five categories have remained the same. Here are OSHA’s most-cited violations for 2018.

1. Fall Protection

Fall protection, which is intended to protect employees working on a surface with an unprotected side greater than six feet, has been the top category eight years in a row. Cited violations include lack of guardrail or safety net systems.

2. Hazard Communication

Hazard communication involves notifying and training employees regarding chemicals produced or imported in the workplace. Cited violations include maintaining a written hazardous communication program along with printed and accessible copies of Safety Data Sheets.

3. Scaffolding

Companies are required to protect workers both on and around scaffolding at a height of 10 feet or more. Cited violations include supporting scaffold posts, legs, poles and frames on a suitably firm foundation.

4. Respiratory Protection

OSHA provides specific guidelines for establishing and administering a respiratory protection program. Cited violations include ensuring that tight-fitting facepiece respirators are fit-tested prior to use and workers receive medical evaluations to determine their ability to use respirators.

5. Lockout/Tagout

Lockout/tagout refers to the process of controlling electricity or other energy sources during servicing of warehouse equipment. Cited violations include periodic inspections of lockout/tagout procedures and training employees in the necessary knowledge and skills.

Commit to Workplace Safety with Warehouse Equipment from DJ Products

Our battery-powered tugs, movers and pushers are ergonomically designed to prevent common repetitive-motion injuries. Visit our website for more information about the safety features of our industrial carts.

Encourage Safety in Your Warehouse with Safety Walkarounds

Hard Hats Save Lives, Folks. Wear Them!
Hard Hats Save Lives, Folks. Wear Them!

Use of our electric industrial tugs demonstrates your commitment to employee welfare. Make workplace safety a permanent part of your company culture by conducting regular walkarounds to promote ongoing safety awareness.

What should you focus on during warehouse walkarounds? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends a three-step process for safety inspections.

Before the Inspection

– Never do a “cold” walkaround. Take time beforehand to completely understand warehouse operations and review any previously identified safety issues.

– Talk to managers and supervisors about any specific concerns they may have.

– Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

During the Inspection

– Limit walkaround participants to a handful of people. Larger groups may intimidate workers and prevent open communication.

– Look for hazards such as blocked aisles and doorways, exposed electrical wiring, and sloppy work areas.

– Solicit employee input as much as possible. Reassure workers that your goal is to spot and solve problems, not point fingers.

– As you go, make a list of identified hazards and prioritize them based on risk level.

After the Inspection

– Lack of follow-through dooms many workplace programs. Employees will be more engaged and cooperative when they see you taking action on findings.

– Create a hazard abatement plan specifying a course of action and timeline for addressing each issue discovered on the walkaround.

– Share the plan with both supervisors and employees and provide progress updates.

– If you don’t already have one, form a warehouse safety committee to help further integrate safety education and awareness in daily workplace operations.

Make Industrial Tugs from DJ Products Part of Your Safety Program

Customers say ergonomically designed industrial tugs such as our best-selling CartCaddyShorty are “like having an extra employee.” Our cheerful sales engineers are available to help through our convenient online chat feature.

Encourage Safety in Your Warehouse with Safety Walkarounds

Managing Your Warehouse by Walking Around
Managing Your Warehouse by Walking Around

Use of our electric industrial tugs demonstrates your commitment to employee welfare. Make workplace safety a permanent part of your company culture by conducting regular walkarounds to promote ongoing safety awareness.

What should you focus on during warehouse walkarounds? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends a three-step process for safety inspections.

Before the Inspection

– Never do a “cold” walkaround. Take time beforehand to completely understand warehouse operations and review any previously identified safety issues.

– Talk to managers and supervisors about any specific concerns they may have.

– Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

During the Inspection

– Limit walkaround participants to a handful of people. Larger groups may intimidate workers and prevent open communication.

– Look for hazards such as blocked aisles and doorways, exposed electrical wiring, and sloppy work areas.

– Solicit employee input as much as possible. Reassure workers that your goal is to spot and solve problems, not point fingers.

– As you go, make a list of identified hazards and prioritize them based on risk level.

After the Inspection

– Lack of follow-through dooms many workplace programs. Employees will be more engaged and cooperative when they see you taking action on findings.

– Create a hazard abatement plan specifying a course of action and timeline for addressing each issue discovered on the walkaround.

– Share the plan with both supervisors and employees and provide progress updates.

– If you don’t already have one, form a warehouse safety committee to help further integrate safety education and awareness in daily workplace operations.

Make Industrial Tugs from DJ Products Part of Your Safety Program

Customers say ergonomically designed industrial tugs such as our best-selling CartCaddyShorty are “like having an extra employee.” Our cheerful sales engineers are available to help through our convenient online chat feature.

It’s Time for Your Warehouse Safety Audit – How to Get Started

It's Time for Your Safety Audit
It’s Time for Your Safety Audit

Warehouse safety and forklift safety go hand-in-hand. Is your workplace compliant?

Creating a Safe Environment

Implemented by your company and maintained by OSHA, Safety in warehouses and forklift environments should be standard, not optional. Pedestrian workers, forklift operators, and supervising managers should all feel safe and secure. To achieve this, careful attention must be given to the following areas of your warehouse, not just pre-audit, but year-round:

Workspace Safety

To safeguard employees, keep workspaces uncluttered and walkways clear, remaining vigilant of tripping hazards. Keep all areas well lit, ensuring maximum visibility. Clean up spills immediately to keep slip and fall hazards in check.

Electrical Safety

Make sure all outlets function properly and aren’t overloaded, avoiding the use of extension cords which present multiple safety risks, including trip and water/fire hazards.

Equipment Safety

Well maintained, easy to operate warehouse equipment that is routinely inspected prior to use is integral to warehouse safety.

Fire Safety

Remove any/all fire hazards. Keep fire extinguishers in easily accessible areas. Test/replace them regularly, ensuring they’re in good working condition and employees know when/how to use them. Clearly mark all exits, keeping them free of obstructions.

Hazmat Safety

Ensure a clear path to eyewash stations and keep them in good working order. Clearly label all chemicals, keeping material safety data sheets (MSDS) on hand and easily accessible for rapid response in the event of an emergency.

Emergency Procedures

Knowledgeable employees are safe employees. Clear instructions on what to do in the event of accident, medical emergency, fire, or weather-related disaster are essential.

Do you have the right warehouse equipment and features to enhance worker safety? Protect employees from serious injury and improve efficiency with the help of DJ Products today.

Tips for Preventing Expensive Forklift Accidents in Your Warehouse

Always Stop and Let a Forklift Pass, to Avoid an Accident.
Always Stop and Let a Forklift Pass, to Avoid an Accident.

Forklift accidents can cause costly damage to warehouse equipment, but that’s not even the worst possible result. Data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) indicates that 85 deaths and almost 35,000 serious injuries due to forklift accidents occur each year.

Reduce the risk of damage and injury with these five proactive tips for preventing forklift accidents:

Ensure Adequate Ventilation

People generally associate forklift accidents with mechanical operation, but forklifts also emit carbon monoxide at levels that can lead to poisoning. Make sure there is sufficient ventilation, especially if forklifts are used in enclosed areas.

Provide Secure Parking

No matter how busy the day is, forklifts should always be returned to their parking spaces with keys removed. This keeps the forklift from being an obstacle and prevents unauthorized use.

Conduct Regular Training and Inspections

– Train all new hires in proper forklift operation and continue to promote awareness and safety precautions.

– Schedule regular inspections and perform maintenance as needed.

Failure to observe these two practices can result in OSHA citations and fines.

Load Forklifts Correctly

Forklift loads should be balanced, with larger and heavier items on the bottom, and they shouldn’t be stacked too high. In addition, forklifts should never be used to raise employees to upper shelves.

Remove Obstructions

Poor sight, operator error and driving off a loading dock are all common causes of forklift accidents. Make sure forklift operators have a clear path and nothing is obstructing their sight lines.

Turn to DJ Products for High Quality Warehouse Equipment

Show your commitment to safety with eco-friendly tugs, pushers and movers from DJ Products. Our warehouse equipment is easy to use and ergonomically designed to prevent repetitive motion injuries.

Visit our website to learn more.

Helping Warehouse Workers Steer Clear of “Pinch Points”

Helping Warehouse Workers Steer Clear of "Pinch Points"
Helping Warehouse Workers Steer Clear of “Pinch Points”

Are you aware of all possible injury risks lurking in your warehouse? You probably recognize the dangers of musculoskeletal and repetitive motion injuries, which our electric tugger carts are designed to reduce.

Pinch points are not as obvious, but they can also cause painful and costly injuries. What are pinch points, where are they found, and how do you protect workers?

Watch Out for Pinch Points

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) defines pinch points as spots where any part of a person’s body can be caught in a machine. “Pinches” can occur between moving parts of a machine, stationary and moving parts, or materials and machines.

According to MIOSHA, pinch points are “quite pervasive” in the workplace. Some of the main locations of pinch points include:

– Conveyors

– Power presses and rollers

– Molding, metal-forming and assembly machines

– Power doors

Don’t Get “Caught in a Pinch”

Pinch point prevention begins with a careful inspection of all machines and equipment to identify potential problem areas, eliminating pinch points wherever possible.

In spots where pinch points are unavoidable, install guards to prevent workers from coming into contact with them. Be sure to train employees regarding the dangers of pinch points, why guards are necessary and what they are intended to do.

Make it clear that under no circumstances are employees permitted to remove, work around or tamper with pinch point guards. Repairs should be handled by qualified technicians only. If a worker should spot a pinch point without a guard, they should promptly report it to their supervisor.

Put Safety First with Tugger Carts from DJ Products

Eco-friendly tugger carts such as our best-selling CartCaddyShorty are available with safety stop switches in case of emergency. Contact us to learn more.

Tips to Protect Your Warehouse Employees and Boost Performance

Tips to Protect Your Warehouse Employees and Boost Performance
Tips to Protect Your Warehouse Employees and Boost Performance

All warehouse managers strive to optimize productivity, but unfortunately some let good safety practices fall to the wayside in pursuit of their goal. Our industrial tugs are one way to increase efficiency without sacrificing safety.

Don’t let costly injuries offset valuable productivity gains in your warehouse. Use these expert tips to help employees be more effective while avoiding common risks of workplace injury.

Conduct Ongoing Safety Training

Regular safety training enables proper procedures to become second nature with employees and demonstrates your commitment to a culture of workplace safety. Include training as part of the onboarding process and hold periodic refresher courses. Test managers and supervisors to make sure they’re setting a good example.

Post Instructions for Safety and Emergency Procedures

Reinforce safety training by posting checklists and visual aids in prominent places around the workplace. Topics can include:

– How to handle hazardous materials

– Recommended lifting techniques

– Machine and equipment operating instructions

Provide Quality Personal Protective Equipment

Have appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) on hand and readily available. Establish an inspection schedule and immediately replace any PPE that shows signs of wear and tear.

Invest in Safety Amenities

Supplement PPE use with warehouse features and add-ons that contribute to a safe environment. Industrial tugs, generous lighting, guard rails and ergonomic workstations are just some of the extras that can be easily incorporated in a warehouse for maximum results.

Perform Safety Audits

Create daily, weekly and monthly checklists of items and details to be inspected and verified.

Combine Safety and Productivity with Industrial Tugs

At DJ Products, warehouse safety and efficiency is our main concern. Call 800.686.2651 and let our cheerful sales engineers explain why eco-friendly industrial tugs like our best-selling CartCaddyShorty are the solution to your specific needs.

Top Four Warehouse Injuries and How to Prevent Them

September Warehouse Cleaning Tips
September Warehouse Cleaning Tips

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 2016 show that there were five reported non-fatal injuries and illnesses for every 100 full-time workers in the warehousing and storage industry. This rate is significantly higher than the 2.9 reported cases per 100 full-time workers across all industries.

Our electric tugger carts are designed to reduce risk of common musculoskeletal and repetitive-motion workplace injuries. Here are the top four injury hazards found in warehouses along with expert prevention tips.

Collapsing Pallet Racks

Haphazard storage is the most frequent cause of accidents involving pallets. This is especially dangerous in high-pick areas, where momentum can turn the smallest falling item into a serious danger.

– Stack pallets with heavier items at the bottom.

– Leave adequate space between pallets to avoid pallet rack collapses caused by forklifts.

Slips, Trips and Falls

OSHA has determined that slips, trips and falls make up the largest category of general workplace accidents.

– Keep work areas free of clutter.

– Clean up spills immediately.

– Make sure hallways and staircases are well-lit.

Hazardous Materials

Any leak or spill of hazardous material should be considered an emergency, no matter how small the amount.

– Have an effective hazmat plan in place and train all employees.

– Provide access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and current safety data sheets (SDS).

Forklift Collisions

Warehouse environment, operator error, and the condition of the forklift are all factors in crashes.

– Conduct training on forklift operation and common hazards.

– Perform regular inspections and maintenance.

Make Safety a Priority with Tugger Carts from DJ Products

Warehouse activities often involve pushing and pulling, resulting in severe stress on a worker’s body. Our tugger carts eliminate the strain that causes many workplace injuries. Call 800.866.2651 and talk to one of our helpful sales engineers.

How to Build a Culture Focused on Safety in Your Warehouse

Movers and Tuggers for Warehouse Add a Factor of Safety for Your Staff
Movers and Tuggers for Warehouses Keep Employees from Injury and Improve Safety

Have you integrated workplace safety into the overall culture of your warehouse? In addition to working with a material handling equipment supplier, use these tips to instill a safety-first mindset in your employees.

Making Safety a Priority in the Workplace

– All employees should receive training on each piece of equipment, even if they don’t use it regularly. Make sure training is an ongoing process, not simply a one-time-only session.

– Take every opportunity to let your employees know how much you value their safety, and they will follow your lead. Encourage them to watch out for themselves and each other and report any potential safety risks.

– Back up your words with visual reminders, which are absorbed more readily than speech. Post charts and graphics with information such as the number of days without incident.

– Create tangible incentives by running contests to reward specific safety behavior.

– Keep equipment properly maintained. Aisles and workspaces should be clean and clutter-free.

– OSHA requires companies to post occupational health and safety program information in a highly visible location. Go one step further and start a safety team that will proactively work toward maintaining a safe workplace.

– Enforce use of personal protection equipment such as goggles, helmets and work boots whenever necessary.

Reduce Injury Risk with Electric Movers from DJ Products

Most workplace injuries result from pushing, pulling and lifting of heavy materials. We offer a full line of battery-powered tugs and movers such as our popular CartCaddyShorty, which lets a single employee easily move loads of up to 3,000 pounds.

Visit our website and use our convenient online chat feature to learn why your search for a material handling equipment supplier begins and ends with DJ Products.