Early Intervention
Understanding the Most Common Warehouse Injuries and How To Avoid Them
Most Common Warehouse Injuries
Working in a warehouse can be a dangerous job, with workers facing risks of injury from heavy lifting and machinery accidents. Unfortunately, these injuries occur more often than you might think.
These workplace hazards can have serious consequences for both employers and employees alike. Not only do they lead to lost time on the job due to medical treatment or recovery time, but they also put a strain on company resources when it comes to dealing with worker’s compensation claims and OSHA reports.
In this blog post, we’ll look at the most common types of warehouse-related injuries in detail so that employers can take steps toward preventing them from occurring in their own workplaces.
7 Most Common Warehouse Injuries
Warehouses are full of potential injuries, it is our job as employers to make sure employees stay safe by identifying potential risks. These are the 7 most common types of warehouse injuries:
1. FORKLIFT ACCIDENTS
Forklifts were the source of 70 work-related deaths in 2021 and 7,290 nonfatal injuries involving days away from work in 2020. (1)Tragically, the most frequent workplace incidents are caused by overturned forklifts which can inflict serious harm or even death to workers.
2. HIT BY AN OBJECT
Aside from forklifts, stacking items on pallets can expose employees to the risk of being hit by an object. Pallet collapses and falling objects can have dire consequences; including concussions, back injuries, shoulder injuries, or worse! It is essential that safety measures be taken so as to protect workers from these potential dangers.
3. CAUGHT BETWEEN OBJECTS
Working in a warehouse can be hazardous, as employees’ hands, fingers, feet, and even entire bodies are vulnerable to injuries that could result from being wedged between pieces of equipment or heavy objects or the truck and loading dock.
4. SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS
The four-foot drop between the loading dock and the ground below presents a serious hazard to workers’ safety. Other potential hazards that can result in workers slipping, tripping, or falling may include spilled powders, oils, or water. Uneven walking surfaces, walking on pallets, inadequate lighting, and exposed cords also put workers’ safety at risk.
5. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Damages to shipments containing hazardous materials can be devastating, leading not only to immediate physical harm such as chemical or thermal burns and convulsions, but also the potential for long-term illness including cancer and organ damage.
6. OVEREXERTION INJURIES
Tasks involving lifting, pulling, carrying, and lowering heavy objects can result in overexertion injuries including back and neck injuries, muscle strain, and joint injuries.
7. REPETITIVE STRESS INJURIES
Likewise, occupations that involve extensive and continuous repetitive motions may cause a worker to suffer from conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, strained muscles, or joint injuries– all of which constitute repetitive stress injuries.
Related article:
How to Prevent Warehouse Injuries
Preventing workplace injuries should always be a top priority for businesses. Taking the following steps can help to ensure safety in the warehouse:
• Establish clear safety protocols and enforce them, such as wearing proper protective gear, using engineering controls and machines that are up-to-date, and having employees trained on how to use machinery safely.
• Make sure all workers are aware of the potential hazards and how to avoid them.
• Conduct regular safety inspections of equipment and procedures, as well as training for employees.
• Encourage a culture of safety among employees by emphasizing that workplace safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Conclusion
The most common warehouse injuries are serious and have the potential to cause tremendous harm. Fortunately, employers can take steps towards prevention by following safety regulations, making sure workers are properly trained, and providing a safe working environment. By doing so, they can protect their employees from these unfortunate incidents.
For help keeping your employees safe, give us a call at WorkSafe to determine a plan of action today!
Contact WorkSafe to find out how we can help your company today!
Working to keep you safe, healthy, and productive,
References
- https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/work/safety-topics/forklifts/
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