Working in a warehouse comes with many job risks. Blue-collar employees may end up embroiled in conflict with a co-worker which results in an assault on the job. They could spill dangerous chemicals, leading to chemical burns or the increased risk of cancer development in the future.
The type of warehouse where an employee works and the nature of their job functions can influence the exact risks they face during every shift. However, when reviewing workplace safety information, a few job hazards stand out as more serious and common than others. The three safety issues explained below are among the top causes of warehouse worker injuries and lost-time incidents.
Slips, trips and falls
It is standard practice for employers to require that warehouse workers wear steel-toed boots with anti-slip soles. Even if employees consistently wear excellent footwear, they could slip in a puddle or trip over an item left on the floor. Slips and trips can produce same-level falls that cause serious injuries. Workers could also be at risk of falls from an elevation if they must personally secure items high on warehouse shelving.
Falling objects
In some cases, coworkers might make a mistake and leave items hanging over the edge of shelving. Those items might then fall with little warning, potentially injuring anyone nearby. Other times, mistakes such as pushing items too far from the other side of the shelving unit or accidentally striking fixtures with machinery could result in items suddenly tumbling to the ground. Workers struck by falling objects can suffer broken bones and are also at risk of traumatic brain injuries.
Contact with heavy machinery
Forklifts, hi-los and other heavy machinery are commonplace in warehouses. Warehouse professionals may also have to work in or near semi-trucks and other vehicles dropping off or collecting items from the warehouse. Incidents involving heavy machinery and vehicles can cause severe injuries that leave workers unable to do their jobs for months in some cases. Heavy machinery and vehicles are also leading causes of workplace deaths.
Professionals hurt on the job may be able to request workers’ compensation benefits. Being proactive about identifying job hazards and responding when incidents arise can protect people from the worst outcomes after on-the-job incidents.