ABSTRACT
Warehouse Safety The most common hazard group for warehouse safety is slips, trips, and falls. The movement of materials on different levels and on different types of floor surfaces contributes to the possibility for individuals to lose their balance or stumble over an out-of-place item. There is also the possibility of falling objects in a warehouse. Items that aren’t carefully stacked on floors, shelves, and other surfaces can fall on an individual. Warehouse equipment can also pose hazards. Conveyors, forklift trucks, and hand trucks can all cause incidents or injuries. Individuals also place themselves at risk if they lift and carry materials improperly, risking back injuries. They also have to be cautious with the equipment used to load, pack, and unpack-skids, pallets, strapping, and cutting tools. Materials stored in a warehouse can also pose dangers. Both physical and health hazards exist from the storage of hazardous substances or flammable or combustible materials. The following list shows the top 10 areas for which OSHA issues citations for warehouses: forklifts; hazard communication; electrical, wiring methods; electrical, system design; guarding floor and wall openings and holes; exits; mechanical power transmission; respiratory protection; lockout/ tagout; portable fire extinguishers.
