Warehousing is a storage unit for large quantities of merchandise or products. Warehousing can be small or large, depending on the size of the business and the quantity that needs to be stored. There are safety regulations that need to be followed within any of the outside exterior and interior of a warehouse.
The safety is focused on preventing injuries to workers and visitors. As well as preventing damage to the products being stored. There are safety standards safety that need to be followed for machinery, hazardous materials, electrical wiring, and fixtures, storing of the goods and the shelving where materials are kept.
One being safe while operating or being around machinery. As a safety measure, certification is needed to drive a forklift. This is to help the individual who’s operating the forklift, learn how to drive and operate it correctly. Some of these guidelines include training, driving safety and recommendations for speed, maintaining the safety of clearances, and any hazardous materials associated with operating a forklift.
Another is hazardous material safety. Employees are made aware of any they may come into contact with. Training is required to inform employees where the hazardous materials are located in the exterior and interior of a warehouse. You learn how to handle the materials accurately and what to do in case you come in contact. All hazard materials contain labels. Protective wear needs to available to be used when handling, being near and in contact with. Knowing the specifics on how to store the hazardous materials is also important. Businesses are required to have a specific area where you can find the specifications for handling, storing, and cleaning of the materials.
Electrical wiring is said to be one of the leading causes of injury or damage. Warehouses should have ground fault circuit interrupters to minimize any risks. If you see any live wiring or exposed wiring you need to tell your supervisor right away. You should be trained on how to use extinguishers and what kind to use to put out any electrical fires. An evacuation plan should be known by all employees and have practice drills.
The products within the warehouse are stored mostly on shelving. Be aware of what’s being stored and how you are storing. Know when storing goods of what would be a harmful interaction with other goods. You need to be familiar with using safety measure on loading, stacking and removal of the goods.
OSHA has all safety regulations, recommendations on storing and handling, list of possible interactions and what kind of first aide that would be needed, in case you come into contact. It’s your employer’s responsibility to go over, show where the OSHA regulations book is kept and any training of safety.
