Running a warehouse isn’t easy. As the boss, you’re tasked with keeping operations running smoothly, but one responsibility is more important than everything else — keeping your employees safe.
Warehouse work is rewarding, but when proper safety precautions aren’t followed, it can also be dangerous. Approximately 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported by private industry employers in 2017, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Even worse — 5,147 workers died on the job in 2017 according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Many of these deaths were caused by what OSHA refers to as “the fatal four.”
OSHA’s Fatal Four
In 2017, one in five deaths were in construction, according to OSHA. Four different types of accidents were the number one causes of death among private industry construction workers, including:
- Falls: 381
- Struck by object: 80
- Electrocution: 71
- Caught-in/between: 50
As you can see, if the hazards that caused these accidents were not present, the lives of 582 workers could’ve been saved.
Avoiding the Fatal Four
Accidents caused by the fatal four are entirely preventable. As a caring employer, you want to do everything in your power to ensure none of your warehouse workers realize any of these fates.
Adhering to safety standards set by OSHA is the best way to accomplish this. OSHA standards are put in place for a reason, but many employers still violate them regularly. For example, the top five most frequently cited OSHA standards violated in Fiscal Year 2018 were:
- Fall protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.501)
- Hazard communication standard, general industry (29 CFR 1910.1200)
- Scaffolding, general requirements, construction (29 CFR 1926.451)
- Respiratory protection, general industry (29 CFR 1910.134)
- Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 CFR 1910.147)
Complying with OSHA standards means providing regular training, maintaining warehouse machinery, and ensuring employees have the proper equipment — among other things. This requires extra time and money on your part, but there’s no better way to spend it.
Searching for warehouse workers who take safety seriously? Malone Workforce Solutions is here to help. Get in touch today to discuss a partnership!
