Surprising Facts Surrounding Warehouse Safety

The warehousing and storing industry’s primary focus is the provision of a secure environment in which to store goods. Warehouses sometimes offer additional services that branch into the logistics of a company’s operation, including pricing and labeling, inventory control, assembly, order entry and fulfillment, the arrangement of transportation, and packaging.

When a large volume of employees combines with the equipment necessary to perform necessary tasks, warehouse accidents are bound to occur.

If you are a warehouse employee within the United States, you may find these facts regarding warehouse accidents interesting.

• Slips, trips, and falls account for a significant portion of all accidents reported, approximately 15 percent of the industry’s accidental deaths, 25 percent of injury claims, and over 95 million days of lost work annually.
• Within the warehouse, the most dangerous places are the loading dock, around forklifts, near conveyor belts, involving materials storage, and with manual lifting and handling.
• Pallet jack failure accounts for a significant portion of injuries. Pallet jacks fail because of forklift damage, overloaded racks, racks inappropriately configured, operation changes, improper use of equipment, faulty equipment, and machine use that is too small for the job.

The areas where the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issue the most warehouse citations include are as follows:

• Forklifts: Approximately 95,000 injuries and 100 deaths occur around forklifts annually, 25 percent of which happen because the forklift overturns.
• Hazard communication: Chemical burns frequently result in workplaces as a direct result of improper labeling of hazardous materials.
• Wiring methods: Electrocution occurs when there is faulty wiring, even in a temporary usage.
• Opening guards: Slips, trips, and falls happen when guardrails or other protective barriers are not present for openings in floors, walls, or ceilings.
• Exits: Exit signs and pathways must be visible and unobstructed in case of an emergency, such as a fire.
• Mechanical and power equipment: Serious injury including amputation frequently occur due to improper operation.
• Respiratory protection: Injury, illness, and death can occur without adequate ventilation.
• Portable fire extinguishers: Warehouse fires and explosions happen without notice. Fire extinguishers must be accessible to save lives.

Warehouse accidents occur on a daily basis, many times as a result of someone’s negligence to obey safety regulations. Workers' compensation claims only go so far. For the rest, a San Jose, CA personal injury lawyer is helpful. Depending on your case, more than one person may be responsible for your injuries. The attorneys at Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, L.L.P. will thoroughly research your case and aggressively pursue your claim, working to earn the maximum compensation possible for you and your family. Call (408) 289-1417 today to for your free consultation.

• Warehousing and Storage: NAICS 493
• Top Causes of Warehouse Accidents
• Shocking Safety Warehouse Statistics
• Current Employment Statistics - CES (National)