Warehouses and other similar industrial areas have the unfortunate potential for a lot of accidents to occur. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has explicit guidelines and standards to maintain safe operations and significantly reduce accidents.

Unfortunately, lackluster safety standards often lead to non-compliant workspaces that can jeopardize employee safety. Understanding the most common warehouse OSHA violations can help managers and staff take measures to maintain a safe and secure workspace.

Improper use of forklifts

Forklifts are some of the most dangerous machines in a warehouse, which is why they require proper certification and training. Many warehouses fail to comply with OSHA protocols regarding forklift training and allow improperly trained operators behind the controls. Other common issues include exceeding weight capacities and generally neglecting proper maintenance schedules to provide them with necessary adjustments or repairs.

Improperly maintained forklifts are far more likely to lead to accidents which may damage products or worse, lead to employee endangerment. Make sure that everybody who uses your forklifts goes through a proper OSHA-certified training course and establish regular inspections and maintenance schedules to keep your machinery in good condition.

Mismanagement of pallets

Pallets are an essential aspect of warehouse operations and help with the storage and transportation of goods and products. However, failure to stack pallets properly can lead to accidents, tripping hazards, and other issues like damaged inventory.

Understanding OSHA regulations regarding pallet safety can lead to the proper storage and treatment of pallets in warehouses and industrial workspaces. Managers should implement clear protocols for pallet stacking, ensuring weight distribution is even and removing damaged pallets from circulation. Careful oversight of pallet handling can make a significant difference in preventing emergencies.

Failure to provide adequate fall protection

Some of the most common warehouse OSHA violations involve a lack of protection against slipping, tripping, and falling. These preventative accidents happen far too often and are easy to avoid with some extra equipment. OSHA guidelines require guardrails, safety nets, and fall arrest systems for employees who work in elevated areas.

Ignoring these guidelines can result in severe injuries and costly penalties. It’s also important to have proper signage, barricade wet floors, and avoid cluttered aisles to remove trip hazards. Always prioritize clear pathways and regular floor inspections to keep regions clear and avoid unnecessary falls.

Addressing OSHA violations should be a top priority for warehouse managers. Understanding the most common mistakes can help managers stay on top of things and create a safe, efficient, and productive workspace for their teams.