Slippery When Wet: Warehouse Trip and Slip Hazards

Posted by: admin on August 16, 2018

A warehouse is a work environment, just like many other workplaces. But unlike offices and most indoor facilities, warehouses are more likely to have injuries and accidents. That’s why OSHA has regulations to help prevent slips, trips & falls. A number of factors contribute to this:

• • Forklifts. With so many powered industrial trucks moving everywhere, accidents are more likely to happen – even though you can reduce those odds with training from us!
  • Ignoring safety rules. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) sets guidelines and standards for workplace safety. When these rules are ignored or neglected, bad things happen. Sure, this can happen in any workplace, but when they occur in a warehouse, the potential damage is greater.
  • Slips & trips. Warehouses come in many shapes and sizes – and also different floor surfaces. From refrigerated storage facilities to outdoor warehouses, workers need to be cautious at all times. OSHA slips, trips & falls regulations show how certain factors lead to workplace accidents and injuries.

  For this article, let’s focus on warehouse trip and slip hazards. We’ll look at common causes for each type of hazard, and also offer some suggestions to keep your warehouse as clean, clutter-free, and safe as possible, based on OSHA slip, trips & fall prevention methods.  We’ll also review some important OSHA slips, trips & falls statistics.

  Preventing accidents and injuries is just one important part of a well-rounded forklift driving skill set. At CertifyMe.net, our training courses review important safety information, including the best ways to promote a safer, more efficient workplace. Sign up for our forklift training and become OSHA compliant today!

   

  OSHA Slips, Trips & Falls Statistics: Surprising Data You Need to Know About

  OSHA rules and guidelines, including slips, trips & falls regulations, are designed to make every workplace safer. Due to a lack of training and general awareness, accidents still happen – and more often than you probably think. According to recent OSHA slips, trips & falls statistics, nearly 1 in 5 fatal accidents at work were due to slips, trips & falls.

  These accidents happen so often, OSHA has an acronym for OSHA slips, trips & falls statistics: STFs. However, with proper training and a basic understanding of your workplace, you can do your part to ensure OSHA won’t be investigating your company for slips, trips & falls.

   

  Hazards Ahead: Trip and Slip Accidents in the Warehouse / How to Use OSHA Slip, Trips & Fall Prevention Methods for Added Safety

  Trips, slips, and falls happen more often than you think. Aside from the obvious personal injury involved, there is also the possibility of an OSHA audit. These types of accidents can be extremely costly for individuals and companies. Knowing how trip and slip hazards happen is important for any warehouse. So is knowing what to do in order to avoid them.

  Warehouse Trip Hazards

  • Pallets. They’re one of the most common items in warehouses, so it’s understandable if a few get lost in the shuffle. Both empty and occupied pallets are serious trip hazards for anyone walking through a warehouse, including forklift drivers dismounted from the control cabin. OSHA slip, trips & fall prevention includes careful cleanup after any pallet breaks, and using pallets that are structurally sound.
  • Merchandise. The typical warehouse contains thousands of pallets of products. If – when – a pallet spills or falls, literally hundreds of trip hazards are created right away. OSHA slip, trips & fall prevention methods indicate that safer product placement is an obvious way to avoid this, and forklift certification from CertifyMe.net can help in this regard.
  • Bad visibility. If you can’t see a trip hazard, it’ll probably cause a fall. Ensure your warehouse has adequate lighting for everyone – forklift drivers included.

  Warehouse Slip Hazards

  • Water and ice. Slick surfaces and forklifts aren’t a good combination. The same goes for pedestrian foot traffic. Minor spills can become major problems in any warehouse, so make sure any spill or area with water is quickly cleaned up. Slippery surfaces make a good portion of OSHA slips, trips & falls statistics.
  • Oil slicks. It’s not a problem for warehouses that use electric forklifts, but most standard forklifts eventually leak a little bit of oil. Tell your safety supervisor immediately about any oil slicks.
  • Spilled product. For environments like frozen food distribution centers, spilled products pose serious slip hazards. Example: frozen beans on a warehouse floor act like miniature ball bearings. If any product is spilled in your warehouse, clean it up ASAP.

   

  Don’t Trip During Your Forklift Certification Test and Get Up to Speed on OSHA Slips, Trips & Falls Regulations – Sign Up with CertifyMe Today!

  Now that you know how to avoid certain trip and slip hazards, it’s time to gain a solid footing with your forklift certification. CertifyMe.net offers customized training packages for forklift drivers of any skill level. Sign up today – become OSHA compliant in no time. It’s the best move you can make for your forklift driving career!

  From proper driving techniques to OSHA slip, trips & fall prevention, CertifyMe.net has everything you need to enjoy a safer workplace