According to the National Safety Council, in 2016, 697 workers died in falls to a lower level, and 48,060 were injured badly enough to require days off. In some of these accidents, these problems could have been easily avoided by attention to detail and diligent safety monitoring around warehouses and distribution centers in particular.
Damp and slippery floors present highly unsafe conditions for warehouse workers where staff work together with heavy machinery and heavy loads. While everyone would agree that floors should be kept dry, sometimes the follow-through on keeping them that way may become a challenge, especially during the wet winter months.
Condensation, snow, rain, sleet, and more can lead to harsh conditions inside just as much as they do outside, making it even more important for companies to reduce risks in distribution businesses. Here are some tips on how to do so.
Stay On Top of Cleaning
If it’s snowing or sleeting outside that means that some employees may make matters worse inside. Tracking in snow and rain into a warehouse means that businesses should increase their floor sweep intervals. Companies should outline a new cleaning system for the winter and assign staff to clean throughout the day.
Condensation Issues
It’s important to take care of condensation before it starts. When floors cool down in the winter, they can turn “sweaty,” bringing on a thin layer of condensation. This can be avoided by keeping a steady flow of air running throughout the floors to keep them dry. Fans can also be utilized to keep floors dry on a consistent basis.
Warehouse Insurance
Warehouse insurance can help companies in the industry stay away from costly claims related to slip and fall cases. While not all of these issues can be avoided, it helps to have the right coverage when claims are made. Warehouse insurance can help cut risks in distribution business operations and provide the resources needed for legal representation if need be. These kinds of cases can be expensive and time-consuming, so having warehouse insurance is a solid way to stay afloat and not take time away from regular business.
Use the Right Anti-Slip Tools
Before problems can be fixed, they have to be spotted. For the best results, a warehouse can use different items to promote dry conditions and keep away from wet surroundings. One way this can be done is by installing anti-fatigue mats with drainage at all workstations.
Snow can penetrate into a boot tread, and may not melt until a worker reaches their workstation. To keep puddles from forming, these mats can be used. Since more than half of workplace injuries are caused by slips, trips, and falls, having these mats and regular safety sweeps will help to cut down on potential problems during the winter months.
About The Hilb Group
Deciding what coverage you need and what limits and deductibles make the most sense can be tricky. Founded in 2009, the Hilb Group has been helping clients to make sense of their options and make the smartest choices for their circumstances. Whether you need Warehouse Insurance or any other type of business or personal coverage, we encourage you to contact our friendly, experienced, and capable team today. Call us at (800) 776-3078 for a consultation.