Workplace injuries cost the Australian economy about $60 billion a year. Along with the direct financial consequences businesses can face because of an injury to a valued staff member, the other staff members’ increased workloads, increased downtime and potentially lost revenue can also have a negative impact on your costs.
By creating a safe working environment, you are creating an efficient workplace and minimising your costs.
Keep reading to find out how you can improve workplace safety today.
Tip 1 – Check all incoming pallets for damage
Damaged pallets are a significant risk. Damage can occur overtime through incorrect pallet practices, such as pushing pallets across the floor rather than picking them up, and not checking the pallets for broken boards.
A broken board could catch on racking, which could cause the pallet to fall and injure staff and damage your product or machinery, or the pallet could break while being loaded onto transport vehicles.
Before putting incoming pallets away, always check for any signs of damage and transfer to an undamaged pallet.
Tip 2 – Complete a visual check of all PPE before every use
While having the correct PPE is vital, checking for any signs of damage prior to use is just as critical to complete a task safely.
Signs of damage include:
- Tears or rips in jackets and safety vests that could get caught and cause an injury
- Scratches on safety glasses that could reduce your visibility
- Broken or cracked soles on safety boots
It is also important to make sure that your PPE provides enough protection. For example, are you using a low-grade cut resistant safety glove when you should be using a higher-grade cut resistant glove?
Check for damage first to reduce the chance of injury later.
Tip 3 – Clearly mark out walkways and driver safety zones
Forklifts, courier trucks and pedestrians are a dangerous mix in any size warehouse. To reduce the risk of injury, it is important to mark out the following areas:
Pedestrian walkways – Line marking spray or floor marking paint are ideal products to mark clear, durable lines. To mark the perfect line, follow the steps below:
- Clean the surface thoroughly with a high pressure hose to remove any dirt or debris
- Use acetone or a graffiti remover to remove old lines
- Spray the line marking paint in short, sharp bursts
Driver exclusion zones – These zones are important during the unloading and loading process, as they clarify where drivers can safely stand. It is important to mark zones in an area where drivers can see their truck being unloaded and loaded and where forklift operators can see drivers at all times.
Tip 4 – Enforce a Chain of Responsibility (COR)
A COR is a vital part of every safe supply chain – regardless of your business’s size.
Whether you send out one pallet or 100 pallets a day, checks should always be carried out to make sure your pallets are secure and drivers are able to complete their job safely.
Use a checklist to ensure that every stage of the packaging and transportation process is completed correctly.
To help improve workplace safety, Signet has a number of products in its new RedLine Savers range to keep you protected. With selected safety glasses, earplugs, safety vests and respirators now at a one low price at any pack quantity, saving and being safe at work is easy.
Maintaining and improving safety around your workplace is an ongoing process, and one that requires a consistent effort to identify even the smallest risk. Looking for signs of pallet damage and following the correct processes when performing a task or putting a pallet away are steps you can take to improve safety today.
To find out how Signet can help you make other improvements in your workplace, view their blog now.
http://www.workfocus.com/news/the-cost-of-workplace-injury.aspx
http://safetyaustraliagroup.com.au/1-2-billion-increase-for-australian-employers/