SaFety MatteRS

Warehousing and storage involves a wide range of activities that can result in various hazards and risks. These risks must be effectively managed in order to protect people from harm, while at the same time protecting your premises, goods, equipment and reputation.

The main priority hazards requiring attention within the storage and warehousing industry include: n manual handling/musculoskeletal disorder

n slips and trips n vehicles in and around the warehouse

n storage systems, including work at height and moving or falling objects.

There may be other risks on site that need to be considered, e.g., health and psychosocial risks, exposure to chemicals and dangerous substances or extremes of cold.

If there is a risk from a manual handling task, the first goal should be to look for ways to avoid the task. If the task cannot be avoided, the risk of injury occurring must be minimised. Risk management requires an identification of all tasks that involve manual handling. The nature of manual handling work activities must be fully understood, (e.g. the type of loads that are handled, what do they weigh? have you planned how loads are handled?). Information is key to making informed judgments, (e.g., weight of loads, work environment issues such as stairwells, working in tight space). Risk assessment tools, such as the Mac Tool and Rapp Tool, should be used to quantify risk. The tasks should be redesigned to avoid the need to move loads manually, or use mechanical handling devices,as appropriate, e.g., lift trucks, pallet trucks, trolleys, conveyors, chutes, scissor lifts, etc. Training should be provided in safe manual handling techniques and the manual handling devices used. Training should be specific to the task. It should complement a safe system of work and not be a substitute for it.

Slips account for almost half of all clips, trips and falls (STF). People generally slip on level surfaces when these surfaces are wet or contaminated. The condition of surfaces must be checked, and slippery surfaces must be rectified. Caution must be exercised not to introduce a slippery surface, e.g., if painting surfaces for traffic management purposes, make sure a slip resistant paint is used. Proper slip-resistant footwear can be vital in preventing slips.

Objects on the floor or uneven surfaces are usually the cause of trips. Trip hazards can include items like goods, waste packaging, banded strapping loops and pallets. Floors and traffic routes must be kept free from waste and obstructions. Floor surfaces must be maintained both inside and outside the buildings. A good housekeeping regime is vital, to ensure that if items fall onto traffic routes, they are cleared as soon as possible, with regular inspections to make sure that there are no trip hazards.

Procedures must be in place that clearly outline how, when, where, and involving who, vehicle related activities are to be carried out, including loading and unloading, reversing, parking, manoeuvring, coupling and uncoupling, deliveries and collections, and vehicle checks and maintenance.

Traffic routes should be properly designed and laid out. When deciding on the best layout for traffic management in the workplace, consideration should be given to the vehicles being used, avoiding sharp bends, blind corners and anything that can affect load stability, e.g., uneven surface, steep slopes. Routes should be marked and controlled with sensible speed limits and supported by safety information signage. The need for reversing vehicles should be minimised as much as possible, e.g. by using a one-way system. Where reversing cannot be avoided it is good practice to put in place a designated reversing and turning area. Pedestrians should be kept out of this area, and reversing sensors, lights, sensors and CCTV on vehicles can be useful in further reducing the risk.

Moving materials on and off storage racks, either manually or using mobile equipment, puts workers at greater risk of injury due to slips, trips, and falls; overexertion; and being struck by falling objects. There are additional risks if the racks are not properly installed, inspected, used, or maintained. The racks themselves can then be a hazard if they become unstable or collapse, thus increasing the risk of injury to workers. Factors that can increase the risk of injury include overloading, poor maintenance (resulting in deterioration), and unsafe loading practices. Storage racks should have an installation certificate, be marked with safe working loads, and be protected as much as possible from being damaged by impacts. There must be an inspection and maintenance regime to make sure the racks are kept in good condition.

The Health and Safety Authority will be conducting inspections at storage and warehousing facilities to see that risks to safety and health are being managed. Comprehensive information on managing warehousing and storage risks is available at: https://www.hsa. ie/eng/Vehicles_at_Work/Workplace_ Transport_Safety/Warehousing_Safety/