Minimizing any risk within warehousing companies and distribution centers is essential to run smoothly, and one of the easiest ways to achieve this is by implementing safety standards in the warehouse.
A safety standard is a rule, action or practice that contributes to maintaining safety in the workplace. Its creation depends on the industry, the type of goods stored, the number of employees, the conditions of the property and the territory where it is located. Warehouse safety standards cover the various risks that exist in these facilities.
Most accidents can be anticipated and avoided, or at least mitigated. It will never be possible to eliminate the threat of accidents, but by keeping the chances as low as possible, you will suffer less disruption to the smooth operation of your facility.
Safety standards in warehouses are essential because these establishments handle heavy or delicate goods, use machinery such as forklifts and there are hazardous areas, either because of their conditions or because of the type of substances they contain.
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To protect workers, governments have established warehouse safety standards. In the United States, for example, these standards are overseen by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA); in Brazil, warehouses operate under the standards of the Brazilian National Standards Organization (ABNT), while Mexico has the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS).
At Serviap Logistics, we understand the importance of warehouse safety standards. That’s why wherever we offer our signage, labeling, floor marking, collision protection installation, equipment assembly and project management services, we comply with local regulations.
Contact us at if you need a warehouse configuration consultant to help you comply with safety regulations in your warehousing company or distribution center. We operate in the United States, Brazil and Mexico.
Warehouse safety rules for trouble-free operation
1) Use safety equipment
One of the main safety rules in the warehouse is to use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly and with the right quality. PPE is any device designed to protect employees from hazards that may threaten their safety in the workplace.Working in a warehouse means being exposed to risky situations, so PPE will primarily protect employees’ heads, hands and eyes.
Hard hats, for example, are designed to cushion impacts, punctures or flames.The hands are the most exposed part of the body, so workers are often required to wear special gloves of a certain thickness. As for the eyes, goggles must be worn to protect the eyeballs from chemical splashes, dust, aerosols or radiation.
Footwear is also part of PPE. It must not only protect the feet from the impact of heavy products, but also reduce the feeling of fatigue and provide support. Earmuffs and earplugs protect operators from noise, while special suits are indispensable when handling toxic substances.
2) Eliminates potential risks
Prevention will always be the key to minimize any dangerous scenario or situation that threatens the health of workers. Therefore, one of the safety rules in warehouses is to identify and evaluate risk factors. To recognize potential hazards, operators should periodically check their facilities and equipment, although experts can also be hired to inspect warehouse racking, for example.
During these inspections, it is necessary to check, among other things, that the equipment is in optimal condition and that there are no screws out of place, bad boards, dents or rust. If necessary, the affected parts or the entire structure must be replaced. Checking and replacing before an accident saves valuable time and money.
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Eliminating potential hazards also has to do with proper storage of goods. This will prevent products from slipping, falling, collapsing and depleting inventory, but most importantly, from injuring anyone nearby. This should be reinforced periodically.
3) Mark the dangerous areas
A checklist for warehouse preparationForexample, for planning the location of shelving and space optimization, but also for designing labeling systems, floor markings and all those signs that help to maintain safety within the facility.Signaling hazardous areas warns staff and makes them more aware of warehouse safety rules.
For this reason, signage should be brightly colored, easy to read, follow a pattern of colors and shapes, and even use lights and sounds to attract the attention of workers.In a warehouse, personnel and visitors can be exposed to multiple hazards, so it is necessary, in addition to signaling high-risk areas, to use precautionary signs for biohazards and fire safety, among others.
It may seem unnecessary, but indicating that spilled water is being mopped up in a hallway or that cleaning personnel are in a particular area can prevent accidents such as an employee slipping. These signs are not permanent, but are kept in a safe area to be deployed as needed.
4) Train your team
Warehouse safety regulations also indicate that constant staff training is necessary, as workers must know everything from how to stack a pallet rack to how to react in case of an emergency, such as a spill of a corrosive substance.In addition, special machines, such as forklifts and cranes, must be operated by trained and certified operators.
This safety requirement ensures that these vehicles are inspected before use, run at a certain speed and are not overloaded. Training personnel also involves communicating to them all kinds of safety labels, from the colors and shapes of signs and their meaning, to how to put on personal safety equipment.
The correct handling of certain products, first aid courses and even how to use a fire extinguisher are part of the practices that warehouse workers must carry out to protect their health and that of their colleagues.
5) Check the load capacities
Warehouse safety standards specify what to do with the handling of goods and materials, from loading and unloading to sorting, labeling, storage and the load-bearing capacities of the structures where they will be placed.
Regarding this last point, employees of a warehousing business or distribution center should be aware of how much weight a pallet, racking, forklift or other equipment can support.Staff should be aware that heavier products should be placed on lower shelves and that these should not overhang aisles, which could lead to tripping and serious accidents in storage areas.
Indicating the load capacity and maximum storage height will not only help prolong the life of storage equipment by not overloading it, but will also prevent goods from falling, getting damaged and injuring someone.
6) Check electrical installations
A poorly performed electrical installation, with poor quality materials or exposed wiring, can cause a power outage inside the warehousing company or distribution center, or a faulty electrical installation can cause a short circuit which, if not checked in time, can cause a fire inside the facility, endangering both the stored goods and the personnel.
For these reasons, warehouse safety standards indicate that it is necessary to check at least twice a year for broken or punctured cables, malfunctioning lamps and reflectors, or even that the voltage required in the facility is correct.
Although there are trained personnel in the warehouse who can check the electrical installation, it is best to hire a specialist, such as an electrician or an engineer with expertise in electrical equipment and lighting.
7) Be prepared for emergencies
Finally, warehouse safety regulations state that these facilities and distribution centers must have a written emergency control plan indicating what to do in the event of gas leaks, fires, toxic spills or earthquakes.
As part of this preparation, it is also necessary to have industrial firefighting equipment, from a basic manual extinguisher to a complex sprinkler and fire suppression system.
Proper signage of emergency exits, understanding the direction of the flow of goods, pedestrians and forklifts, knowledge of the location of special equipment in the event of an incident, and ongoing training of operators will help to enhance safety in the warehouse.
Serviap Logistics helps you with safety standards in the warehouse
At Serviap Logistics we help our customers operate their warehousing and distribution center businesses in accordance with the warehouse safety standards that apply in their territories, whether in the United States, Brazil or Mexico.
Our services include racking, labeling, signage, floor marking, collision protection installation and equipment assembly. We also assist in project management, from planning and supervision of a new warehouse to remodeling or relocation.
Thanks to the personalized attention we provide and the quality of our services, some of the world’s largest companies are among our satisfied customers and partners. They come from various sectors, such as automotive, e-commerce and wholesale.
Contact us at if you are about to open or relocate a business. We can help you comply with local warehouse safety regulations. And if you want to learn more about keeping your business secure, check out the rest of our coverage.
