Warehouse Safety

Data indicate that the warehouse and distribution center activity continues to grow. Warehouse expenditures for services in North America in 1997 totaled 69 billion. That number includes estimated expenditures for private warehouses as well as for public or contract facilities. Warehouses and distribution centers spent 150 billion, excluding land, for corporate equipment and new plants in 1997. The average size of a new facility will be 350,000 square feet. 

Customers as well as corporations continue to put on pressure to reduce warehouse costs. Every time a facility handles a piece of material, it takes human work effort to complete it. The likelihood of error, which could result in injuries, grows as a result of increased demands for speed, accuracy, productivity, and value-added services. On-time deliveries at over 99 percent are expected by customers. 

However, the industry as well as site management must not forget to include the safety of the workers in their business plans. 

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Chemical Warehouse Safety Resource Manual (June 1989). Washington, D. C. Chemical Manufacturers Association. 

It would be difficult to maintain any workplace without the existence of general work rules. The same holds true for safety. If safety is to be enforced as well as directed, safe-working rules are important. During the new employee process, warehouse safety rules should be discussed. At union sites, collective bargaining agreements will also help to highlight the required safety rules. 

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