Other Hazards
Inadequate emergency provisions, poor housekeeping, improper traffic control and failure to wear personal protective equipment also create hazards in the warehouse workplace.
So many hazards are mitigated when a warehouse is clean and uncluttered.
Examples of other hazards include:
- Inadequate Emergency Provisions: These hazards include insufficient first-aid kits, a lack of fire extinguishers and fire alarms, and inadequate fixed sprinkler systems.
- Poor Housekeeping: Excessive dust leading to respiratory issues and fire hazards can accumulate. Unaddressed liquid or oil spills will increase slip, trip, and fall accidents.
- Improper Traffic Control: A lack of designated areas for forklifts or vehicles and missing or unclear signs for traffic flow may result in collisions.
- Failure to Wear Personal Protective Equipment: A lack of proper eye protection such as safety goggles will increase the risk of eye injuries. Foot injuries are more likely without the use of safety shoes.
- Wet Floors: Machinery leaks create slippery conditions. Slip accidents are more likely if floor condensation is not removed.
- Obstructed Walkways: Items protruding into walkways and obstructions due to temporary equipment placement can cause struck-against and trip accidents.
- Blocked Exits: Storage such as inventory during peak seasons that is blocking emergency exits can trap workers during emergencies.
- Poorly Marked Exits: Hard-to-read exit signs and exit signs obscured by storage or machinery can confuse workers attempting to exit.
- Machinery Noise: Noise from air-powered tools and activities at loading docks over time can impair hearing.
- Alarms and Sirens: Continuous or false alarms and sirens within the facility can add to extreme noise levels.
- Temperature Extremes: Risks of hypothermia in cold storage areas and heat stress in poorly ventilated areas can both cause illness and injury.
Real-life Accident
Employee Incurs Heat Stress While Driving Truck
At 4:00 p.m. on July 29, 2020, an employee was driving a truck when he experienced symptoms related to heat stress. The employee had worked a 12 hour shift when temperatures ranged from 87 degrees Fahrenheit (F) to 98 F and relative humidity ranged from 31 percent down to 19 percent, which equates to a heat index of 84 degrees F (Caution) 99 degrees F (Extreme Caution). The employee's truck did not have a working air conditioning unit despite several work orders that he had placed. He was hospitalized to treat dehydration and heat stress.Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-10. Which hazard is related to improper traffic control in a warehouse environment?
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