Health and Safety should be an ongoing concern for businesses of every kind. But if you’re dealing with warehousing, then the safety challenges you face might be particularly pressing. In almost every case, it’s possible to drive down rates of workplace accidents by adhering to the right procedures and by cultivating the right culture.
What are the warehouse health and safety regulations?
OSHA set out a number of guidelines for warehouse operators. They are all based on the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act. Specifically, section 5 of this piece of law contains a special ‘General Duty’ clause, which tasks the employer with creating a safe workspace.
This means dealing with ladders, stairways, dockboards, falling objects. However, there are other special requirements that deal with the storage of certain products, like petroleum gas, ammonia, and other hazardous products. If your workers are operating specialized machinery, like forklifts, then you’re required by federal law to ensure that they are appropriately licensed.
The machinery and components in your warehouse should also be tested and maintained regularly. This might mean keeping a supply of replacement parts, like cable pull switches, available.
In some cases, it might also be necessary to equip your workers with appropriate PPE, like helmets and respiratory equipment. Workers should be provided not only with the equipment itself, but also instruction on how to use it effectively.
Obviously, the consumption of alcohol and other similar substances should be strictly prohibited.
The best way to stay on the right side of the law is with the help of a rigorous system of safety procedures, and through regular risk assessments.
Why is health and safety important in a warehouse?
By addressing health and safety issues, you’ll reduce your exposure to legal risks. Fewer employees will suffer harm, and you’ll be responsible in fewer (or, ideally, none) of these cases.
Since you’re reducing the rate of illness, injury, and workplace death, you’ll also drive down the rate of absenteeism, which can boost productivity. There are also morale-boosting benefits to a safe working environment, which tend to be contagious. Workers who feel safe will be happier, and this improvement in mood will tend to spread through the warehouse. By contrast, workers who feel unsafe will be angry or sad about it – and this vibe can proliferate in the same way.
When workers feel safe, they feel less stressed – which will tend to make them more effective. This will also tend to lower the rate of staff turnover, since workers who don’t feel safe also tend to look for alternative employment.
There’s also, obviously, a strong ethical case for making a workplace safer. Fortunately, the law, and the incentives presented to warehouse operators by the business environment, tend to match with this ethical incentive.
Disclaimer:
CBD:
Qrius does not provide medical advice.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) outlaws the recreational use of cannabis products in India. CBD oil, manufactured under a license issued by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, can be legally used in India for medicinal purposes only with a prescription, subject to specific conditions. Kindly refer to the legalities here.
The information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Gambling:
As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman, and Sikkim, prohibit gambling. Land-based casinos are legalized in Goa and Daman under the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976. In Sikkim, land-based casinos, online gambling, and e-gaming (games of chance) are legalized under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009. Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries, subject to state laws. Refer to the legalities here. Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in licensed premises in select states. Refer to the 1996 Supreme Court judgment for more information.
This article does not endorse or express the views of Qrius and/or its staff.
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