Page 47 - OHS, April 2021

FACILITY SAFETY
Ten Tips for Improving Warehouse Safety
Reducing risk is as easy as investing in appropriate equipment and technology.
BY WALT SWIETLIK
Driven by online commerce, the pace of activity in industrial and commercial facilities has increased dramatically to keep up with consumer expectations. As this pace accelerates, it is critical that safety doesn’t get
left behind—particularly in traditionally dangerous workplaces like warehouses and distribution centers.
The National Safety Council estimates more than 4.6 million workplace injuries occur in the United States each year, with reports of up to a quarter of industrial accidents occurring at the loading dock. Additionally, it is thought that for each reported accident, there are roughly 600 near-misses. Thus, facility managers are increasingly looking for ways to proactively address potential safety issues, instead of merely reacting to accidents.
Fortunately, a number of new solutions have emerged to help them achieve that. By investing in the appropriate equipment and technology, companies can reduce risk and help ensure employees return safely to their families, which should be a top priority for any organization. We’ll take a look at 10 of the most significant.
Prevent Back-Over Accidents
Yard workers face some of the most dangerous surroundings of any warehouse employee. Surrounded by ambient noise on the drive approach, they may not hear the sounds of a semi-trailer backing toward them, since the truck’s engine could be 70 feet or more away. This can lead to back-over accidents, which can be fatal. Semi/tractor trailers are the second leading cause of vehicle
back-over deaths in the U.S., according to OSHA.
To address this danger, a new audio and visual safety
technology has been developed using a motion sensor mounted above the dock seal or shelter. Aimed at the drive approach, this sensor can detect the motion of a backing trailer up to 30 feet away. When activated by the sensor, a light embedded in the vehicle restraint below or in standalone mounted box will flash and an audible alarm sounds, warning workers of the backing vehicle. This system provides crucial extended warning time to vacate the hazardous area.
Verify from Inside the Loading Dock
In most cases, reducing the number of processes which place employees outside on the dangerous drive approach is the best defense against back-over accidents. Lock verification systems, which use an outside camera and inside monitor help keep boots off the ground and maintain supply chain integrity. The camera helps workers inside to see when a trailer has arrived at a given dock position and when/if it is properly restrained. Dual camera systems can also help detect if a trailer stand is present.
Install Safety Lights
The interior of a loading dock opening can also be a dangerous place, as pedestrians may not see forklifts backing out of the trailer in time. Fortunately, new motion-sensor based light communication system has been developed to help alleviate this problem. When
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APRIL 2021 | Occupational Health & Safety 43
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