All workplaces have their own unique risks and hazards, from office buildings to construction sites. In order to prevent injuries and minimize numerous risks, a solid safety strategy must be in place. A safety strategy protects employers as well as employees, since a safe, secure staff also tends to be more productive.
Roura Material Handling knows the importance of a safe, productive workplace. That’s why we go above and beyond when creating reliable products such as self dumping hoppers, concrete hoppers, granite a-frames, rotator boxes, drum handling equipment, and more to meet our customer’s material handling needs. We also provide comprehensive training videos, which ensure you have the knowledge you need to operate our equipment correctly.
Stacking and Storage of Items
Material handing requirements cover many topics relating to safe stacking and storage at work. These requirements must be adhered to by the entire staff, regardless of the role they play in daily operations.
A sturdy base for the items you’re packing and storing ensures optimum stability. For this reason, boxes should have a wood pallet placed underneath them to get started. A wood pallet creates a flat, even surface under items to stop them from tipping or falling over. A pallet also makes it easier to move boxes from one place to another.
Boxes should be stacked in such a way that they remain stable and secured. Stacking boxes too high creates unnecessary difficulty when it comes to moving them. It also increases the risk that the boxes will tip over at some point. This poses a risk to everyone else working in the area should boxes fall down.
Access around boxes is equally important. Items should be contained in a specific area, with a large enough clearance that staff can easily navigate around them. Items should never obstruct emergency exits in the event an evacuation is necessary. Workers must also be cognizant of blocking fire alarms as they store materials.
Any sort of piping, poles, or bars should be kept in specially designed racks to prevent them from spreading or tilting. Workers must also prevent them from sticking too far out into an aisle, as this puts other staff at risk of injuries.
How Workers Can Protect Themselves
Staff should be encouraged to use safe practices when lifting and moving heavy items. They must ensure they have a good grip on an object before attempting to move it. Failure to do so could result in a crushing injury to the foot.
The item should also be checked for any hazards prior to lifting. Jagged and pointy edges can easily lead to a serious hand injury without the proper precautions. The same can be said of any areas where fingers may be pinched or crushed while carrying. Hands should also be clean and dry to ensure a tight grip.
Employer Obligations
While each worker must take responsibility for their own health and well-being, employers also play a role in making the workplace safe. Accordingly, employers should either provide and make sure workers are equipped with the following gear:
- Steel-toed boots
- Gloves
- Goggles or other eye protection
Efficiency is another factor in staying safe and secure. For example, employers can provide workers access to band cutters to easily break down packing materials as they go. The right tool increases productivity, but it also spares employees cuts and lacerations that can occur when using less efficient tools or processes.
Workers must also have access to tools that allows them to transport heavy items and materials safely. Dollies and handcarts should be available in abundance at warehouses and manufacturing plants to prevent staff from lifting and carrying items on their own.
In addition to providing essential tools and materials, employers must also make sure they’re being used properly. This entails monitoring staff and addressing unsafe behaviors and practices.
The Importance of Safety Education and Training
Much of material handling safety may seem like common sense. However, it’s easy to forget these concepts when you’re hard at work, which is precisely how accidents happen. That’s why safety education and training are so important to warehouse and manufacturing facilities. We’ve developed a series of videos for this exact purpose, so you can sufficiently train your staff as you see fit.
The equipment used for daily processes can greatly increase efficiency and productivity. However, they can also cause major injuries if used incorrectly. This is especially important when it comes to forklift operation.
When used correctly, forklifts are an essential piece of equipment during the work day. Forklift training ensures operators can safely use this equipment in conjunction with other items for efficient transportation of materials.
Who Should Use Training and Educational Videos
Virtually any industry that makes use of our products will also find our training series useful. This includes businesses within the machining industry, food processing plants, construction companies, industrial facilities, and more.
Benefits Offered by Comprehensive Safety Training
Clearly outlining safety procedures and steps offers the following benefits:
- Improved workflow
- Increased efficiency
- Reduced risk of a sudden injury
- Reduced risk of injuries caused by straining or overextension of muscles and joints
- Enhanced organization of your workplace
- Cost-savings thanks to a streamlined operation
Our video series includes detailed instructions on how to safely use our products. We also provide helpful tricks and tips to make your life easier. That way you can get up to speed at a much faster rate.
You Can Trust Us When It Comes to Safety
Here at Roura Material Handling, we view ourselves as a partner in the success of your business. This belief guides everything we do, from product design to the development of our training videos. Additionally, we’re always happy to pass along our knowledge to our customers to ensure a safe, efficient, and productive place of work.