warehouse safety inspection checklist: is your warehouse safe?
Warehouse safety is an essential consideration for any successful business. So how do you know if your warehouse is up to OSHA standards? Check out our OSHA warehouse safety inspection checklist to ensure your warehouse is in compliance.
1. Forklift/Machinery Certification
When you’re in a crunch, you may be tempted to send any employee over to operate a forklift. But it’s important to make sure only certified employees take on this task. By only allowing certified employees to operate a forklift or other warehouse machinery, you’ll minimize the chance of harm or accident occurring in the workplace.
2. Racking & Storage Procedures and Safety
OSHA requires all warehouses to follow certain racking and storage procedures to increase the safety of the work environment. Some of the most important safety requirements state:
- All pallets must be secured in order to prevent products from falling over.]
- Storage items must be at least 18 inches away from the fire sprinklers in the warehouse.
- Rack columns must be anchored to the floor using column baseplates.
- Load ratings should be displayed on all racking.
- Racks must be level and properly aligned, and damaged racks should be fixed immediately.
3. Loading Dock Procedures & Safety
Warehouse accidents often occur on loading docks. But many of these problems can be eliminated by following these safety procedures:
- Avoid hazards like wet floors, unsecured dock plates, improper lifting, and carelessness while operating machinery.
- Keep the area clean and dry at all times, and repair cracks or broken concrete right away.
- Adhere to dock plate load capacity.
- Never run on loading docks, and stay away from edges.
- Make sure truck wheels are chocked.
- Follow loading and unloading guidelines to avoid injury.
- Look out for other vehicles and workers in the area.
4. Electrical Equipment Certifications & Handling
Electrical equipment can pose a serious hazard if handled improperly. Avoid safety concerns by making sure all workers have proper certifications for operating this type of equipment. Machinery should have the right type of grounding, be regularly maintained, and be kept away from water at all times. All systems should meet OSHA standards, and employees should receive regular training.
5. Hazardous Material Certifications & Handling
Some warehouse chemicals and products may cause harm to the environment or employees, so these types of materials must be handled properly to avoid safety concerns. Your warehouse must be certified to house hazardous materials, and items must be stored separately, depending on the type of chemical.
Get Safety Certification Guides for Your Warehouse
Following this OSHA warehouse safety inspection checklist will better your chances of having a safe work environment for all—but there’s always more to learn about warehouse safety. Check out Bold Approved today to learn more about safety certification guides for your warehouse.
