While every job has its challenges and potential dangers, employees who work in a warehouse face specific risks that could lead to serious injury. Although sustaining an injury can potentially cause lost hours and wages, a successful workers’ compensation claim can provide compensation and benefits to supplement your missing time.
Even with the provisions of workers’ compensation claims, every warehouse worker must put forth their best effort to reduce or avoid these situations altogether.
Warehouses are often bustling work environments where employees are exposed to various hazards, leading to a range of injuries. To reduce and avoid serious injuries, it’s important to first recognize and learn of common injuries associated with warehouse-related incidents.
The severity of injuries can range from minor, such as small cuts and bruises, to major, which may result in severe physical harm or even death. It is crucial to be aware of potential risks and to take appropriate precautions in order to maintain a safe working environment.
Possible warehouse injuries include:
- Head injuries: From falling objects or hitting one’s head on low-hanging structures
- Carbon monoxide poisoning: Due to poor ventilation or exposure to gas-powered equipment
- Back injuries: Often caused by improper lifting techniques or overexertion
- Spinal cord injuries: Resulting from falls or other accidents that impact the spinal column
- Slip and falls: Due to wet or slippery surfaces, clutter, or uneven flooring
- Muscle strains: From overexertion or repetitive movements
- Electrocution: As a result of contact with live electrical wires or equipment
- Eye injuries: Caused by flying debris or exposure to bright lights or hazardous materials
- Brain bleed: Often a result of head trauma sustained in falls or other accidents
- Crushed body parts: From being caught between heavy objects or machinery
- Forklift accidents: Due to operator error, mechanical failures, or environmental factors
- Loading dock accidents: Involving slips, falls, or other hazards in loading and unloading areas
- Vehicle accidents: Resulting from collisions within the warehouse or on the premises
Although some injuries happen by pure accident, many routinely occur because of a lack of care on the part of an employee or overseer. If that is the case, observing and informing your fellow employees of their failure to uphold a standard of behavior required of them can help reduce the overall danger of injuries.
Becoming aware of the different types of injuries and recognizing key failures on the part of employees and overseers alike will help avoid injuries for you and others in the warehouse.
In addition to being trained by the employer, learning their expectations, being aware and helping others stay safe, it’s essential that you also keep yourself safe in other ways. Various ways to remain safe with benefits include:
Wear personal protective gear
Although it might seem tedious, it’s vital to always wear your personal protective gear.
Each piece of personal protective gear is designed for your own good when considering the dangers of each warehouse. Therefore, wearing this equipment can provide protection at all times, even when it might not seem necessary.
Be aware of your surroundings
In a warehouse, parts and people are constantly moving in every direction. Being aware of your surroundings at all times is vital to protect yourself and others in the warehouse.
It can be helpful to keep a close eye on all details of your surroundings to steer clear of potential accidents. Knowing and observing your surroundings will create a safer working environment for you and your fellow employees.
Adhere to proper lifting techniques
No matter how confident you might feel when lifting heavy objects, always using proper lifting techniques can help reduce the risk of injuries. Lifting heavy objects could potentially result in crushed hands, feet or strained muscles.
Although it will not completely eliminate the risk of injury, using proper lifting techniques can greatly lower your risk of potential injury.
Avoid loose-fitting or baggy clothes
Certain types of clothing naturally create a hazard in being caught in machinery or present additional hardship to various activities.
Considering the extra danger loose-fitting clothes might present, an easy way to keep yourself safe in a warehouse would be to avoid this type of clothing altogether. Even though it might be more comfortable, the extra danger it poses is not worth the risk.
Adhere to weight limit restrictions
Weight restrictions are in place for a reason. The reasons for these restrictions might be that the machine cannot handle anything above the set weight, faster deterioration will occur, or another rationale that would restrict those over the limit.
No matter the reason, adhering to the weight limit restrictions throughout the warehouse will create a safer work environment.
Don’t operate equipment without proper training
Different pieces of equipment require different training. Even if the machine seems simple, it might require specific skills and techniques that only are obtained through proper training.
Understanding the importance of this training, no one should operate any piece of equipment they are not trained for. Failure to abide by this rule puts others and yourself in great danger.
Understand all emergency procedures
Although reviewing emergency procedures might not be part of your everyday work routine, it’s of the utmost importance to understand and know all emergency procedures.
When an emergency arises, you might not have time to review the procedures that are in place for yourself or others. Knowing and understanding these procedures at all times will benefit you and other workers in case an emergency arises.
Report unsafe behavior
Unsafe behavior from others presents a danger of injury to that worker and everyone around them. Failure to report this behavior can contribute to and further the risk that their actions present.
Therefore, in order to reduce the risk to the entire warehouse, it’s important to report all unsafe behavior to those who are equipped to handle such reports.
Report injuries as soon as possible
If, even after following all the necessary precautions, you are hurt because of a warehouse-related incident, it’s vital to report your injuries as soon as possible.
When to consult an Alabama workers’ compensation lawyer
If you’re hurt on the job due to unsafe working conditions, seek legal counsel, as you may be entitled to workers’ compensation or other benefits.
We understand that navigating the process of filing a workers’ comp claim can be overwhelming. If you live or work in Birmingham and have been injured on the job, contact the experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Nomberg Law Firm. Our attorneys have extensive experience dealing with employers and insurance companies and can get you the money you deserve. Call us today for your free, no-obligation consultation.
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About Nomberg Law Firm
Nomberg Law Firm has been helping people in Alabama recover fair compensation for their injuries since 1967. We know our clients are hard-working men and women who deserve the best representation possible.
We understand how hard it can be to pay your bills and get back on your feet while trying to recover from a serious injury. That’s why we dedicate our entire practice to fighting for your rights and obtaining maximum financial compensation.
The sheer number of clients at larger law firms means you’re one of many. As a small, family-owned injury law firm, we can focus on your needs, provide individualized assistance, and offer you one-on-one attention that larger firms simply cannot match.
Get the legal support you need to recover and move forward with your life.