Speaking of Safety
With the substantial growth in the warehouse and distribution sector, there has also been a proportional increase in work-related injuries and illnesses. It is crucial to address these safety concerns and implement strict safety measures to protect the well-being of the workforce as the industry continues to expand. This pressing issue demands comprehensive approaches to ensure that the working environment remains safe and healthy for the growing number of employees in this sector.
Whether you’re an individual or an organization responsible for a lockout program, you are well-aware of the immense responsibility you have to keep employees safe and your organization compliant – from writing lockout policies and procedures to training and sustaining your lockout program. Oftentimes, organizations want to jump right into training, which is essential to every lockout program.
Creating safe facilities is crucial for the warehousing and manufacturing industries. Organizations lucky enough to build their facilities from the ground up can design safe, efficient, and user-friendly work environments that avoid many of the most commonly found hazards. However, companies operating out of prebuilt facilities do not have the same luxury, but it does not mean they cannot make significant upgrades to safety.
IBC totes (intermediate bulk containers) are 275-gallon or 330-gallon storage containers designed to hold a wide range of chemicals and food-grade products. IBCs are most commonly made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and are impact-resistant, as well as resistant to heat, UV exposure, mold, mildew, and more. More importantly, they need secondary containment as stated per 40 CFR 264.175 by the EPA.
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) is one of the top ten most frequently cited standards by OSHA.
That means, LOTO standards compliance is often inspected and controlled by OSHA and eventually may result in hefty fines for companies that do not meet the policy. So, what does the lockout/tagout program include and how to start with its implementation?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the warehousing industry, represented by NAICS code 493, experiences 4.8 total recordable injuries for every 100 employees. That is 39% higher than the 2.9 injury average across all industries. Each year, OSHA provides information regarding the most common warehouse safety violations that often contribute to such a high rate of injuries. View the top 10 safety issues at a warehouse, based on OSHA recorded violations.