In any business, one of the significant concerns of owners is their employee's safety. Any business owner should ensure that they protect employees from any dangers that may happen in the workplace.
For one, the warehousing industry is more prone to hazards as compared to other business sectors. Therefore, there is a higher degree of employee safety standards that business owners need to exemplify. Employers need to provide every employee with personal protective equipment, signage, and above all, safety railings.
Although many of us use railings every day, there are still places that don’t know the importance of barriers and often neglect the proper guidelines when selecting safety railings. We've gathered some of the most important measures to consider when installing industrial bars for your warehouse.
Before going through the safety railing guidelines, we must first understand edge fall protection, and it's importance in any workplace.
Safety railings are heavy-duty poles installed to prevent falls in stairways and raised platforms. It helps employees balance on steps and platforms, provide safety on slippery flooring, and give extra support when carrying unwieldy loads. Furthermore, safety railings provide fencing to restricted areas, protect equipment and stocks, and separate traffic zones.
It is also the most cost-effective insurance protection against expenditures associated with replacing damaged supplies, equipment, warehouse systems, and even employee accidents.
If an employee encounters an accident on your watch, you might face some legal consequences as a business owner, especially when you have an unsafe working environment. It will also lead to shouldering not only the expenses of the worker who got injured, but you'll also have to cover repairs of the damage inside the warehouse resulting in lost revenue for your business.
Lastly, having the best and essential safety measures inside any workplace are the top indicator of how a company values its employees, reputation, and integrity. Thus, it is vital to have a preventive measure like a railing system in any warehouse.
Different warehouse establishments will require different types of railings according to the structure, types of equipment and machinery used, and the variety and volume of stock and merchandise processed daily. Here are the most common industry-appropriate safety railings.
Because of the importance of these safety railings, workplaces are encouraged to follow the recommended guidelines according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) when installing guardrails in any warehouse facility.
Here are some of the essential protocols to remember.
Before installing any guardrail system in your facility, it is vital to consult an expert who can perform a hazard assessment of your warehouse and provide recommendations on which guardrail systems will be the most effective for your operation.
Also, it is essential to obtain railings from reliable sellers with an excellent reputation. It's best to find suppliers with high-quality guardrails manufactured in the United States, as US-grade railings are subjected to stricter manufacturing standards compared to others sold by foreign counterparts.
You should also check sizes, configurations, and specifications to know if the guardrail system follows the OSHA standards and guidelines.
Furthermore, regular maintenance of your guardrail system is essential to ensure they perform effectively. Constant impact and collision can weaken the structure and integrity of the system. You should also know when the system needs repair and replace it as soon as possible to adhere to the OSHA standards.
Safety should be on the top priority of any business owner as it does not only secure its employees; it also strengthens your company's reputation. Thus, take a moment when choosing the right railing system, find the most suitable type for your workspace, and adhere to OSHA standards and guidelines.
Richard Perkins is a freelance writer who is well-versed in topics about Industrial Engineering. He shares his knowledge about the industry through his writing. During his spare time, he loves to create modern and contemporary sculptures made from galvanized steel.
