Working in the logistics industry can be fulfilling, especially when you realise the contributions that you have for other businesses. However, there’s a side of the warehouse industry that many outsiders and employees neglect. It can be dangerous at times. The danger only becomes imminent when the design and the policies of the warehouse are not planned or drafted carefully.
As the warehouse manager, you have to make the facility safe for your employees. A safe working environment can take away the worries from the employees. A better working facility helps foster trust and even productivity.
What you should do at this point is to assess the safety and configurations of your warehouse. You ought to find loopholes and blind spots that can compromise the security of your employees. This can be the perfect time for a comprehensive warehouse safety audit. Nevertheless, here are some of the essential things that you need to do to make your warehouse safe:
Train your employees
Your employees are the main beneficiaries of your warehouse safety program. As such, it is important that you involve them in any activity regarding the promotion of safety in the workplace. The best things that you can do in this situation is to hold training. You need to make sure that their knowledge in industry practices are updated, so it may mean that you have to conduct a refresher course. Holding training programs will make sure that everyone—from the top management to the department heads—are on the same page.
Set Up Protocols in Equipment Operations
Heavy equipment is among the things that can endanger your employees. To curb the risks surrounding your employees, it is a must that you set up a list of protocols regarding equipment operations. For one, you can limit the operation of the machine and equipment to employees or staff members who have undergone the right training. The scheduling of equipment use can also help.
Make the Signs Visible
The layout of the warehouse can be straightforward, but bear in mind that not all employees understand this. Some blind spots and corners are quite easy to miss if you do not pay attention. Thus, what you should do at this point is to make sure that the safety signs are all visible. Otherwise, you run the risk of having mishaps and blunders in your building—something that you definitely do not want to happen.
Work with a Third Party
You have to be honest about your decisions when it comes to assessing your warehouse. If you think that your opinion is biased and you recognise its effects on your business, you can always work with a reliable third-party assessor who will evaluate the safety of your warehouse. Their observations are neutral, and they will quickly come up with a plan to improve your warehouse.
In the end, these are only some things to bear in mind if you want to make your warehouse safer. A few tweaks, as well as the involvement of your employees, can help a lot.