​5 Ways You Can Reduce Lifting Risks in Your Warehouse

24th Oct 2019

One of the most common tasks that usually occurs in the warehouse is lifting. It can either be done manually or through the use of material handling equipment.

When precaution is not taken during operations that involve lifting they be a significant occupational risk with far-reaching consequences.

However, you can avoid most of these risks when you put some of these factors into consideration.

Use Specialized Equipment

Manual handling of load is prone to human error which exposes workers to all manner of accidents.

Luckily technology is quite advanced today that even the most mundane warehouse tasks can be done using specialized automated machines. For instance, you can use the pallet jacks for lighter loads while for much heavier loads you can use forklifts.

Doing so will ensure the risk associated with manual handling are reduced.

Proper Equipment Maintenance

The movable parts of material handling equipment usually experience a lot of wear and tear during operations. When such equipment are not properly serviced and maintained they become a lifting risk.

For instance, operating with forklift forks that have a high level of structural damage exposes your workers to the risk of falling loads once the forks break. In the same way forklift chains that lack lubrication will also give in to heavier loads due to breaking.

Therefore your only way out is properly maintaining the equipment critical for your operations.

Frequent Staff Training

Safety training should be one of the cornerstones of your engagement with your workers.

Staff who are familiar with safe material handling practices are less likely to cause accidents. Training highlights and reinforces the different risks associated with lifting weight beyond their capacity or an equipment's capacity.

Training will also ensure that they employ the right lifting techniques to avoid strain and back injuries.

Use Of Personal Protective Equipment

Sometimes accidents are just unavoidable and so you should take extra measures to keep your staff safe. A great way to do this by supplying them with P.P.E (Personal Protective Equipment) like hard hats, safety boots and gloves.

The hard hats will protect them from head injuries due to falling loads, the safety boots will ensure their feet are not crushed in case a load slips from their hands and the gloves will prevent load slipping off during manual handling.

Provide Proper Lighting

Proper lighting is one of the most important investments you should make to improve the visibility in your warehouse.

If a warehouse is poorly lit forklift operators become incapable of balance load properly. Unstable loads are very dangerous. Poor lighting will also make the operators underestimate the ceiling height or position of fixtures like sprinklers leading to extensive damages.

Therefore make sure that there is proper lighting in the aisles, storage areas and the ceilings.

Even though lifting risks are a threat, the majority of them can be prevented. Make use of specialized equipment for lifting tasks whenever possible. Train your staff on the proper procedures they should take while lifting loads. Ensure your equipment is properly maintained. Provide your workers with P.P.Es for use during operations and ensure your warehouse has proper lighting.