SHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, was established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 in order to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. OSHA accomplishes this in large part by inspecting work facilities and issuing citations or fines for violations of the law.
In order to improve warehouse efficiency, it is essential to utilize operational techniques that can optimize your inventory and shipping operations while maintaining a high rate of productivity.
As your business grows, it is easy to fall into a routine that, over time, starts to become ineffective and outdated. Make a conscious effort to regularly review the practices that your operation uses and tweak standards and processes to better suit an evolving business.
OSHA reports approximately 100 deaths and 95,000 injuries resulting from forklift accidents every year. To prevent forklift-related injury and death in your warehouse, be sure that all of your operators are trained, evaluated, and certified in forklift operation. Be sure that their speed never exceeds 5 mph and that they do not operate in heavily congested areas.
Hazard communication is especially important in warehouses storing hazardous chemicals. Ensure that your warehouse workers are trained in the risks of these chemicals and that they are able to control and clean spills. Spill cleanup kits are essential and must be provided in any chemical storage area.
The next consideration is your inventory. In what ways are your goods protected? If it can be stored outdoors, is there an available stabilized outdoor storage area? If the goods must be stored indoors, is the warehouse insulated and/or climate controlled? This is particularly important if your goods are affected by the weather. If your goods consist of food and drug materials, is the warehouse FDA approved? Does the warehouse provide reliable generator service in case of an extended power outage?
Your employees’ respiratory health can be guarded by providing them with personal protective equipment, a policy which is mandated by OSHA. Most respiratory accidents occur because employees do not wear this equipment, so be sure your warehouse workers are trained in its use and that they know when its use is necessary. Your employees must also be trained in the cleaning, maintenance, and repair of their respirators.
Lockout issues often arise when a defective machine is not tagged with an “Out of Service” sign. According to OSHA, these can be made with card, pasteboard, or plastic. It is important that defective devices be tagged so that employees do not attempt to use them, which could result in serious injury or death. Improper tagging is a common reason OSHA will cite or fine a company.
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