The advent of internet shopping sites like Amazon, eBay and Etsy have changed the way that a lot of Americans shop. It’s also changed the way that a lot of people work. According to the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics, warehouse jobs have increased by 90% since 2000.
Warehouses can be dangerous places to work at any time of the year, but that is especially true during the winter holiday rush. As soon as people start their holiday shopping, warehouses often get busier than ever — and companies rely on temporary help to get them through. Most of the temp workers. However, lack experience and don’t know how to recognize the top warehouse dangers. These include:
Forklifts
Forklifts and pedestrians don’t mix. Forklift operators often become complacent and assume that workers on the floor will move. However, new workers often don’t realize how limited the forklift driver’s vision might be and don’t keep watch.
Falling objects
Whether it’s one box or dozens, falling products can do serious damage if they land on a worker. Inexperienced workers are often their own worst enemy because they don’t know how to stack products carefully — or they feel rushed to get the job done. Taking the time to stack everything right is essential, whether it’s pallets, boxes or individual items.
Falls
All it takes is one slip on a tile that’s heavily waxed or a fall over the side of a deck where a guardrail is missing for a warehouse worker to end up seriously injured. Floor safety (watching for clutter and spills) is something everyone has to manage. However, new workers may be so focused on their jobs they forget to look at their feet.
Muscle strain
Repetitive strain injuries and abrupt muscle tears are common warehouse injuries. Experienced workers may develop injuries from the pace of the job during the holidays, while new workers may overextend their shoulders or backs as they grow accustomed to the job.
If you’ve suffered a warehouse accident that’s left you unable to work and provide for your family, find out more about your rights to compensation.