The warehouse is chock full of potential dangers. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics cited that in 2016, there was an average of 5 injury and illness cases per 100 full-time workers in the warehouse and storing industry. Warehouses boast heavy machinery and a plethora of equipment: plenty of opportunity for accidents. Safety, therefore, is paramount.

Even with improved safety driven by automated technology, there are still plenty of safety concerns in the modern-day warehouse. Warehouse safety procedures may be created from management and trickled down, but ultimate safety success comes when employees fully understand why it’s critical to follow safety rules and regulations. It’s every warehouse manager’s job to ensure that employees are always thinking about safety in the warehouse.

Build a Safety Culture

“Culture” is a big buzzword in the corporate world. Workplace culture can make or break an employee’s experience at their job and the same goes for warehouses, where a safety culture could actually make or break an employee.

Integrate safety directly into your warehouse company culture to create an environment where reporting an unsafe condition is praised for protecting everyone involved (even the offender) and not “punished” or shunned by colleagues for “snitching.” Management can help create and reinforce this culture by owning it themselves, clearly communicating that the safety of their employees is a number one goal.

Safety Training is Never Done

Your warehouse’s biggest asset is a well-trained staff. Not only is warehouse safety training required by OSHA, it’s still the number-one way to improve safety. New technology is exciting and plays a big role in preventing accidents, yet it still can’t replace the effectiveness of training and awareness.

Safety training is key because it not only teaches employees how to be safe, but also why. Build a safety training cadence that extends beyond the initial new hire orientation by adding regular updates and refresher courses that keep this “why” top of mind. This also helps reinforce a company culture that is vigilant about preventing unsafe acts and circumstances. Ingrained safety standards can impact the type of equipment which is added to the warehouse, as well, with companies focusing more on the safety of a piece of equipment and not just its overall functionality.

Warehouse safety training shouldn’t just be limited to warehouse employees, either. Office staff and visitors who are not normally in the warehouse must also be briefed on safety standards before they are allowed to be on the floor.

Integrated Safety Automation

Safety automation comes in two different forms. First are safety systems such as motion sensors and safety gates that stop an employee from getting into a dangerous situation. Safety automation technology, on the other hand, removes a worker from the dangerous task altogether, relegating the task instead to technology such as robotics, carousels, sortation systems, and more.

Safety automation minimizes or even eliminates the need for workers to be in high-risk areas in the first place. This not only allows them to work instead in areas that are more productive and efficient and better utilize human reasoning, but also reinforces the importance of safety in the company.

Warehouse Safety and Automation With PositiveVision

Automation is a key component of improving warehouse safety and efficiency. Fortunately, PositiveVision has the tools you need to implement best practices for efficiencies and safety across your organization. Whether you’re adding ERP software products or a warehouse management system, let our experts help you find the right solution to bolster your warehouse safety efforts. Our solutions help you run as smoothly as possible. Find out how your business can benefit.