Ergonomics in the Warehouse

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has predicted that by the next century 50 percent of the workforce will suffer from repetitive strain injuries, (RSIs), which can result in claims ranging from 20,000 to well over 100,000. The demands of the work performed in a warehouse can easily cause RSIs if hazards are not corrected. Every year approximately nineteen million workers suffer disabling injuries from musculoskeletal causes at a cost of 100 billion. 

In addition to customer satisfaction, there is a need to reduce workers compensation costs and to meet OSH A requirements. Economic condition of the late 1990s have led to reductions in the workforce as well as increased demands for just-in-time service. Warehouse employees must be protected if a better bottom line is to be achieved. 

Ergonomic improvements will help an employer to be competitive. During the 1980s and 90s the subject of ergonomics has given rise to many articles, books, seminars, and trained consultants. OSHA has proposed an ergonomic standard and various states have proposed this legislation as well. 

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Supervisors are to use this form to assess various jobs in the warehouse to determine if ergonomic improvements are needed. 

Demonstration of Safe Way To Do Assigned Job. If a new employee is experienced in warehouse operations, many of the tasks assigned will be familiar to him/her. An employee who has never worked in a warehouse will need to have show and tell on all of the operations. Be sure to safely demonstrate all of the requirements of the job before allowing the new or experienced worker to work on his own. Allow the employee an opportunity to show the supervisor how he will perform the task after he has been briefed. Ensure that PPE requirements are stressed as well as ergonomics, material handling, and lifting procedures. Periodically return to the new worker to check on progress. 

The following ergonomic factors should be eliminated or corrected in the workplace. The warehouse environment should be evaluated to determine if any of these factors exist. 

Management must not overlook the need for improved ergonomics in warehouse office areas. Important considerations for computer workstation safety include ... 

Hazardous environmental elements. There are potential unseen problem areas within a warehouse that can cause serious harm or even death, including toxic or hazardous elements such as vapors from chemicals being handled or stored, carbon monoxide, dust, noise, and ergonomic factors. In some cases the danger goes unnoticed because the human senses cannot always detect the risk. 

Additional focus must be placed on improved workplace ergonomics, which can reduce back injuries and allow warehouses to become more efficient. This will not happen unless management makes a commitment to think of the economic bottom line in terms of reduced injuries and greater efficiencies. Some of the most costly workers compensation claims are back injuries and injuries associated with repetitive motion and soft-tissue pain surely these types of claims are worth reducing or eliminating. 

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