Warehouses can be dangerous places to work, due to the hazardous conditions that could cause serious injuries and possible fatalities. SafeWork Australia reports that the second highest fatality rate was the transport, postal and warehousing industry with 8.7 fatalities per 100,000 workers. This is 16% higher than the five-year average of 7.5 fatalities per 100,000 workers.

The relationship between warehouses and logistics

Warehouses and logistics are closely related, as warehouses are a crucial component of the logistics process. Logistics is the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the movement of goods from the point of origin to the point of consumption. It includes a range of activities, such as transportation, inventory management, and order fulfilment.  It is this movement of goods that creates traffic hazards that need to be managed.

Why are safety products crucial to warehouse safety

Safety products play a crucial role in warehouse safety for several reasons:

Physical protection

Safety products can physically protect workers and equipment from hazards such as moving vehicles, forklifts, and other machinery. By creating a physical barrier, workers are less likely to encounter dangerous equipment and be injured.

Separation of areas

Safety products can be used to separate different areas of the warehouse, such as pedestrian walkways from vehicle traffic areas. This helps to prevent collisions and accidents.

Protection of inventory

Safety products can also help to protect the inventory and equipment stored in the warehouse. They can be used to create designated storage areas and help to prevent damage to inventory or equipment that may occur as a result of collisions.

Compliance and regulations

Many countries have regulations in place that require employers to provide a safe working environment for their employees. Installing safety barriers in the warehouse can help employers to meet these regulations and reduce the risk of fines or legal action.

Which safety products are the most popular and what percentage is used in warehouses?

It’s difficult to determine the most popular safety products and the exact percentage used in warehouses as it varies depending on the specific warehouse and the individual needs of each facility. However, some of the most common types of safety products used in warehouses include:

• Heavy Duty Barriers – normally either steel or polymer – are designed to protect pedestrians from forklift impact. They create a physical barrier in areas of high forklift usage and ensure that staff are kept safe when performing work duties.
• Handrail is a lighter duty type barrier which is designed to prevent pedestrians from straying out into harms way. Commonly to protect pedestrian walkways and ensure personnel do not take short cuts through danger zones.
• Bollards are cylindrical posts that are used to protect assets and are one of the most cost effective means of protection. They are popular because they are durable and provide a visible barrier that can withstand impacts.
• Rack protectors are barriers that are installed at the end of warehouse storage racks to protect inventory and equipment from damage that may occur during collisions. They are popular because they are easy to install and can be customised to fit the specific dimensions of each storage rack.
• Conveyor guards are used to protect workers and equipment from hazards associated with conveyor systems, such as moving parts and pinch points. They are popular because they are effective at preventing accidents and are relatively easy to install.

It’s worth noting that the popularity and usage of each type of safety barrier will depend on the specific needs of the warehouse and the type of equipment and activities being conducted in the facility.

Traffic management in the warehouse

Warehouses have high-risk traffic areas as logistics plays a big part in the process. This includes the loading zones, which are an integral part of warehouses used for the purpose of receiving, shipping, and transporting goods, wares, commodities, or personnel and pedestrians. 

Given the high level of risk, safety management is vital to productivity and efficiency, hence safety products are playing a great role in control the hazards and the risks within this environment.

In these high-risk traffic areas safety products that help to manage safety include:

• Floor marking tape and linemarking
• Guardrails and handrails
• Bollards
• Safety gates
• Dock lights and mirrors
• Loading dock safety gates
• Safety signs
• Speed humps
• Rack protectors and corner guards

These products increase the visibility and safety for all workers and vehicles within the warehouse, thus preventing collisions and accidents and injuries to workers and damage to equipment. It’s important to achieve compliance with local regulations when installing these products and ensure that they are used and maintained properly.

Visibility is key to safety

Visibility is a key factor in maintaining safety in a warehouse setting, as it helps workers and vehicles to navigate the space more easily and avoid collisions and accidents. Many of the safety products used in traffic management in a warehouse setting, such as cones and barricades, floor marking tape and signs, safety mirrors, warning lights and alarms, safety gates and barriers, and personal protective equipment (PPE), are designed to improve visibility and make it easier for workers and vehicles to see and avoid potential hazards.

Other products such as forklift cameras and sensors, traffic lights and signs, rack protectors, and corner guards are also used to improve visibility and help prevent accidents and damage. Overall, visibility plays a crucial role in warehouse traffic safety by helping to increase awareness and prevent potential hazards.

Noise levels

With the movement of traffic, machinery and pedestrians, noise levels are heightened in warehouses and need to be reduced to acceptable safety levels as they can be a source of discomfort, distraction, and even hearing loss for workers and impede on communications amongst workers. By installing sound-absorbing materials on walls, ceilings, and floors; erecting noise barriers and enclosures; workers wearing earplugs or earmuffs and establishing designated quiet areas the risk can be controlled.

Managing safety in your warehouse

Due to variables in warehouse and their specific needs, it is difficult to determine the most popular safety products and the exact percentage used in their traffic management.  Note that the popularity and usage of each type of safety product will also depend on the type of equipment and activities being conducted in the facility.
If you need assistance with traffic safety management in your warehouse facility, get in touch with Verge Safety Barriers today to talk about your specific needs.