Ways to Maintain a Safe Warehouse Environment – Part 1

One of the most important things to have knowledge of when working in an industrial automation or warehouse environment is maintaining a safe workplace for all levels of employees. Jim Malia, Warehouse Manager, and Gary Wenrich, Logistics Operations Manager, both at Radwell International‘s headquarters in Lumberton, NJ, offered some basic operating principles that can help anyone in a warehouse environment operate in a safe manner.

PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC IN THE WAREHOUSE: It’s a great idea to set up a requirement in your warehouse that all pedestrian traffic is to use specifically marked aisles. If your warehouse doesn’t designate specific aisles for pedestrians with clear markings, it’s a good idea to put those markings in place. Having things clearly marked makes it easier for employees to understand the expected behavior when they are moving around in the warehouse. All other aisles should be chained off to prevent people from walking in them while equipment is being used. If a forklift or other large machine is in use in one of the walkways, the aisle should be chained off at both ends and the alternate walkway must be used by all pedestrians. When an aisle is chained off, it let’s pedestrians know that this is not a walking aisle.

MOVING LARGE EQUIPMENT WHEN NOT BEING USED: Any employee utilizing a ladder, forklift, or other warehouse vehicle in a walkway aisle should be sure that the equipment they are using is removed and the aisle is clear immediately after they have completed their work in the aisle. Whenever an employee is utilizing forklifts or warehouse vehicles he or she should be tethered to the vehicle.

PROPER PLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT ON SHELVES: All items placed on shelves, both high and low, should be pushed back on shelves. This effort helps minimize risk of injury. Items improperly placed could accidentally fall from shelves which would be extremely dangerous to pedestrians and equipment operators alike.

What are some of the safety measures in place at your work site?

For more on warehouse safety, read Part 2 of this series.

Editor's Note: This is a sponsored blog post compiled by Julie Basello for Radwell International. Contributors: Jim Malia, Gary Wenrich.