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3 Types of Warehouse Rules For Employees You Need in Place

July 13, 2018 | Staffing Blog

If you want things to run smoothly and productively in your warehouse, you need to instill rules that every employee is required to follow. Some employers fail to be strict enough about this because they assume that the people they hire will know how to handle themselves.

In reality, if the rules are not communicated, it is on you when something goes wrong. On top of that, some employees will not be as seasoned as others and they need to know exactly what is expected of them.

Types of Warehouse Rules

It’s important to make sure that the rules are general enough so you can have flexibility when it comes to enforcing them. While the exact rules that you will require will, of course, vary by facility, here are a few examples of the types of rulebooks you should put together:

Rules For Safety

  • Stay on top of housekeeping/keep tools and other equipment in their proper place and the workplace clean.
  • If a spill happens clean it up immediately or mark the area as wet while you retrieve cleaning supplies.
  • Practice proper lifting to avoid back injuries by:
  • Establishing how heavy the load is, if it is stable and if you are safely able to pick it up.
  • Come up with a plan of the path you are going to take to get from point A to point B, checking that the area is clear.
  • Lift with your legs rather than your back.
  • Bend your knees as you lift and make sure that you have a good hold on the object.
  • Make sure your grip is secure so you do not have to adjust your hold on the object as you travel.
  • Use slow and steady movements.
  • Hold the load close to you so you do not arch your back.
  • Do not twist as you change directions but move your feet in the direction of your goal.
  • Keep walkways, aisles, and stairways clear of boxes or anything that could be tripped over and do not leave anything in the way of an exit.
  • Be aware of every extinguisher that is available in the work area.
  • When something has to be cleaned, use an approved cleaning solution.
  • Flammable liquids must be stored in an area that is approved as a Flammable Storage Cabinet.
  • Smoking cannot be prohibited within any facility.
  • Use caution during passage between doorways.
  • When reaching for things above shoulder height make sure to use a ladder or step stool.
  • When driving on the job with workplace vehicles buckle your seatbelt and keep the airbag enabled unless you have received written consent from your supervisor to disable it.
  • If you need guidance for anything that feels unsafe make sure to ask a supervisor.

Rules For Forklift Operations

  • Make sure you examine the truck before use. The controls, fluids, light, filters, brakes, and all safety devices.
  • No repairs should be done unless the operator is qualified.
  • Whoever is operating should maintain a safe distance from ramps and platforms, keep enough space for headroom when installing lights, pipes, sprinkler systems, etc.
  • Practical traffic safety.
  • Yield to pedestrians.
  • Drive slowly at cross aisles or any location where vision is obstructed.
  • Only carry loads that are the weight that can be handled by the forklift.
  • Do not operate the forklift while taking any medications that could interfere with autonomous functioning, drive at high speeds, have any ride along passengers, block any fire aisles or exits, play around with the equipment or push other forklifts.

Rules For Ladders

  • Ensure that the ladder is set in a balanced and firm position on the floor or ground.
  • Thoroughly inspect the ladder to ensure that it is safe to use.
  • Report any defective ladders to your supervisor.
  • Check your shoes for any material that could get in the way as you climb.
  • Do not climb up on the ladder if you are not feeling stable or you are afraid of heights.
  • Do not use a ladder that has been labeled as ‘Dangerous.’
  • Do not use metal ladders close to electrical wires or equipment.

Don’t Take Chances with Safety in a Warehouse

It is up to you to instill rules that remind your employees to go about their work safely. There are simply too many ways that a person could get injured in a warehouse, and you need to protect your employees and the guests who come into your establishment. The people you hire need to be responsible enough to respect the rules you have provided them. For more information on how to find exceptional employees, contact us here.