Many accidents and injuries occur in industrial warehouses each year. Here are two ways to prevent these kinds of incidents from occurring.

Be careful when stacking and loading inventory

Many of the accidents that occur in industrial warehouses are the result of heavy inventory falling off shelves or pallet racks, onto employees. If a particularly hefty item hits a staff members head, this type of incident could leave them with a serious and potentially fatal head injury. Falling objects also frequently lead to broken feet and hands.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to prevent this situation from occurring. First and foremost, shelving that is to be used for storing inventory should not be positioned anywhere near vibrating machinery, as the vibrations could very easily cause objects to move over the edge of the shelf.

Secondly, where possible, the heaviest inventory should be stored either at ground level; whilst a lightweight object falling from a height won't do too much damage, a heavy item that falls ten or twenty feet to the floor could result in a fatality.

Thirdly, make sure the bulk of the inventory which is being loaded onto pallets is positioned towards the pallet's centre, and that the heavier, wider items are kept at the bottom of the pile, to create a low centre of gravity (this will reduce the likelihood of items toppling over).

Fourthly, make sure that all heavyweight inventory being stored on shelves is covered with protective nets. The nets will serve as a barrier that will stop any unstable items from falling onto the ground and being damaged or injuring nearby employees. It's important to use the correct type of nets for this task; ideally, they should be made from a strong material (such as plastic or metal) which can withstand the weight of heavy objects without tearing.

Take measures to prevent slips and trips

Slipping or tripping can be particularly dangerous for those working in an industrial warehouse. There are several reasons for this.

Firstly, facilities of this kind rarely have soft flooring; in most instances, polished concrete is used, as this material can withstand heavy traffic and is easy to maintain. Unfortunately, a slip or trip on this extremely hard material can do serious damage to a person's back or head.

Secondly, industrial warehouses frequently use hazardous substances and dangerous machinery for their day-to-day operations. Tripping over onto these substances or equipment could quite possibly lead to a life-threatening injury.

As such, it is crucial to take specific measures to prevent employees from slipping or tripping. One of the most important things to do is to ensure that the walkways around the facility are completely free from obstructions (such as loose inventory, equipment or wiring) which could potentially trip someone up. Ideally, the walkways should be checked for obstructions periodically throughout the course of the working day.

Walkways should also be well lit so that employees can clearly see any upcoming steps or obstructions. Additionally, these walkways should be equipped with sturdy handrails.

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