Warehouse Safety:

The Basics

Leader’s Guide, Fact Sheet

& Quiz

Item Number: 5338

© Safety Source Productions
 This easy-to-use Leader’s Guide is provided to assist in conducting a successful presentation.

PREPARING FOR THE MEETING

Here are a few suggestions for using this program:

a) Review the contents of the Fact Sheet that immediately follows this page to familiarize yourself with the
program topic and the training points discussed in the program. The Fact Sheet also includes a list of
Program Objectives that details the information that participants should learn from watching the
program.

b) If required by your organization, make an attendance record to be signed by each participant to

document the training to be conducted.

c) Prepare the area and equipment to be used for the training. Make sure the watching environment is
comfortable and free from outside distractions. Also, ensure that participants can see and hear the TV
screen or computer monitor without obstructions.

d) Make copies of the Review Quiz included at the end of this Leader’s Guide to be completed by
participants at the conclusion of the presentation. Be aware that the page containing the answers to the
quiz comes before the quiz itself, which is on the final page.

CONDUCTING THE PRESENTATION

a) Begin the meeting by welcoming the participants. Introduce yourself and give each person an
opportunity to become acquainted if there are new people joining the training session.

b) Introduce the program by its title and explain to participants what they are expected to learn as stated
in the Program Objectives of the Fact Sheet.

c) Play the program without interruption. Upon completion, lead discussions about your organization’s
specific policies regarding the subject matter. Make sure to note any unique hazards associated with
the program’s topic that participants may encounter while performing their job duties at your facility.

d) Hand out copies of the review quiz to all of the participants and make sure each one completes it
before concluding the training session.
 5338 Warehouse Safety: The Basics
FACT SHEET

LENGTH: 11 MINUTES Production Year: 2019

PROGRAM SYNOPSIS:
Warehouses play a critical role in our economy. They tend to be fast-paced and busy environments which can give rise to
many different types of hazards. As a result, more employee fatalities occur in warehouses than in most other workplaces,
and thousands of injuries occur there every year. This training program makes sure employees are informed about
warehouse hazards and how to avoid them.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
After watching the program, the participant should be able to explain the following:
• How pallet jacks work and their potential hazards;
• How to use a pallet jack safely;
• What to do when moving a load;
• The special precautions to take on loading docks, inclines, and lift gates.

PROGRAM OUTLINE:
INTRODUCTION
• Warehouse safety is key, as there are many hazards that can be present in this particular job setting. With new
machinery and technology always changing, it is imperative to stay on top of safety rules and guidelines set by your
employers.
• Many different jobs are being done in a warehouse; most of them can be dangerous. A warehouse can vary in size,
but more often have many employees working on a daily basis within relatively close proximity.
• In a warehouse, it can be overwhelming and sometimes very risky if you aren't overly careful to ensure your safety
and the safety of others. The key to making sure that everything gets done safely is making sure everyone in the
warehouse follows certain rules and guidelines.
• Working in an environment as busy as a warehouse can lead to encounters with heavy machinery and large objects.
It is your job to navigate around hazards. Warehouse mortality rates can reach thousands per year, and the goal is to
minimize the risks as often as possible.
• Whose responsibility is it to learn the job site regulations? It is our personal responsibility to adhere to these rules
and guidelines in order to keep our coworkers, as well as ourselves, safe from harm in the workplace.
• Warehouses in particular are one of the riskiest places to work, with many active parts moving toward getting a task
done. Mistakes always happen, but knowing how to recognize and avoid the risks is necessary for a safe work
experience. This is necessary for workers in all levels and job descriptions in a warehouse.
• Fooling around in a warehouse can lead to dangerous and potentially fatal accidents, and it is best to avoid it
altogether. This can distract machine operators from doing their job successfully or can result in an injury to yourself. It
is safest to keep the workplace free of all distractions; this will result in a safer work environment for everyone.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

• Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is what keeps our eyes, face, and body from easily avoidable injuries. It is
important for your own safety to make sure that you wear the proper equipment for your assigned job in the
warehouse. A warehouse is a multifaceted machine, and it relies on your safety to perform at its maximum potential.
• You should inspect the protective equipment provided to you for damaged parts or wear and tear. If the equipment
does not pass inspection, it can be taken out of service and disposed of in the proper waste container.
• The PPE provided should include gloves, hard hat, mask, eye protection, and ear protection.

DO NOT RUSH
• Working in a warehouse can be increasingly more dangerous if working in a hurry or in a rush. This can result in a
much riskier environment. It is important to remember to never run inside a warehouse; walking is the way to keep your
coworkers and yourself from an accident that could perhaps be avoided.
• It is also important to watch where you're going and to hand equipment to coworkers carefully and mindfully to
avoid accidents. If you stay alert and work at a normal pace, the warehouse works more efficiently, and people stay safe.

SPILLS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

• Keeping a clean workspace is also important in a warehouse. Spills happen on the job site, but it is important to clean
up anything properly that can be hazardous. Trash on the floor should be cleaned up right away before causing any
accidents. Even spare parts or scraps of materials left on the floor can result in a fatal accident potentially, so it is best to
keep your space free of all clutter.
• There are designated containers for certain materials to avoid any fire hazards or slips, trips, and falls. You must
remember to report any spills or potential hazards that you may see to your supervisor. This must be done immediately.
• Keeping safety in mind is important when handling potentially hazardous loads. You must adhere to the SDS rulebook
for information on how to treat a coworker involved in an accident or if a spill occurs.

LIFTING LOADS MANUALLY

• When lifting a load by hand, there are many factors to consider before lifting. Can you lift the load alone? Can you
see around the load if you carry it? Is it a balanced load?
• You must remember that it is always alright to ask a coworker for help when the time comes to lift a large box or
materials. If you decide to lift it alone, then the following steps will keep you from a potential injury.
• Keep your back straight, get close to the object, bend your knees, grip the item using your body to support the item
from falling, and lastly, lift with your legs.
• Once you've lifted the item, you must get to your destination safely. This requires planning your route prior to the lift
and keeping your eyes open to any obstacles on the floor or in your way. Being mindful of your surroundings is
important to the safety of your coworkers in the warehouse. Keeping your back straight while transporting the material
is important.

LIFTING LOADS WITH A DEVICE

• Using a pallet jack, truck, or forklift might help transport the load more safely. Always check for an open space to
drop off any loads you are transporting before beginning to move a load with the jack or forklift, and be sure that the
path is clear. This equipment also should be inspected before using it to transport any materials for any mechanical
damage to the wheels or the gears.
• You must also check if the weight of the material can be transported by the forklift or jack in order to avoid
overloading. This can result in major damage or injury if any materials were to fall off while transporting a load.
• Unevenly stacked loads can be dangerous also if not strapped down correctly. You must keep a low center of gravity
to prevent instability and use shrink wrap when necessary.

HANDLING PALLETS
• Handling pallets can be risky; they are heavier than they look. Always check a pallet for loose nails and broken pieces
before using it to transport anything. This is important in avoiding accidents or dropped loads.
• Stepping or walking over a pallet can lead to breaking through it and falling or twisting an ankle. It is best to avoid
stepping on to a pallet altogether.

STORING ITEMS
• The safety data sheet will let you know which materials can be stored near each other or if certain materials require a
special environment.
• Stacked objects should be at least 18 inches from any sprinkler head.
• Aisles must not be blocked by any materials in order to avoid any accidents during transportation. This includes
evacuation routes.
• It is important to stack on a flat base and evenly.

FORKLIFT OPERATORS AND PEDESTRIANS

• Forklift operators and workers on foot should be aware of each other in the loading areas of the warehouse. If you're
on foot, you must listen for any nearby forklift being operated. Staying clear of forklifts is important in a noisy
warehouse where visibility can be limited.
• Never walk under a raised load. Never attempt to hitch a ride on a forklift when it's in use. Never walk into a forklift
zone suddenly without listening and looking. Never get between a wall and a forklift.

LOADING DOCKS
• Loading docks are where most warehouse injuries occur. Weather and crowds can affect the safety of a loading dock.
• All dock plates must have at least 8 inches of overlap on both ends, and the dock must be able to withstand the
weight of the incoming load.
• Be aware of possible falling materials when opening a truck container on a dock, and be sure to open it with care and
stand clear just in case.
• One thing to be aware of is “trailer creep.” This is when a truck rolls away from the dock while loading or unloading,
and it can lead to harmful or even deadly accidents. To avoid this, the driver should turn the truck engine off, put the
transmission in reverse and apply the parking brake.
• Chocking the wheels will prevent this from occurring. You must be sure to use wheel chocks along with mechanical
trailer devices whenever you are near a dock for your own safety and the safety of your coworkers.

CONCLUSION
• Being safe in a warehouse requires always wearing the proper PPE, critical thinking, proper stacking, forklift
awareness, and loading dock awareness. Have we covered every possible way to stay safe in a warehouse? No, but
applying these procedures correctly can lead to a safe work environment for everyone in the warehouse.
• There will always be potential hazards when working in a place with so many moving parts. It is a team effort to have
an effective workplace, and staying safe from avoidable accidents is the best way to achieve that.
• If you have any questions or concerns, you must bring them to your supervisor immediately. This includes PPE or any
potential hazard. Follow the advice in this video to keep your workplace as safe as possible.
 WAREHOUSE SAFETY: THE BASICS

ANSWERS TO THE REVIEW QUIZ

1. a

2. a

3. b

4. b

5. a

6. a

7. b

8. a

9. a

10. b
 WAREHOUSE SAFETY: THE BASICS
REVIEW QUIZ
Name__________________________________________Date_______________________________
The following questions are provided to determine how well you understand the information presented in this program.

1. Working in an environment as busy as a warehouse can lead to encounters with heavy machinery and large objects.
a. True
b. False

2. If you notice damage to your PPE, it should be taken out of service and disposed of in the proper waste container.
a. True
b. False

3. Spills happen on the job site, but they do not need to be cleaned up right away and can be left for the next shift while you finish
your work.
a. True
b. False

4. When lifting manually, bend over at the waist, keep the object far from you, and then lift with the muscles in your back.
a. True
b. False

5. When using a pallet jack, truck, or forklift, always inspect this equipment for any mechanical damage before using it to transport
materials.
a. True
b. False

6. Always check a pallet for loose nails and broken pieces before using it to transport anything.
a. True
b. False

7. Stacked objects should be less than 10 inches from any sprinkler head.
a. True
b. False

8. Never walk under a raised load.

a. True
b. False

9. All dock plates must have at least 8 inches of overlap on both ends, and the dock must be able to withstand the weight of the
incoming load.
a. True
b. False

10. Wheel chocks are not needed on trailers if the brakes are applied.
a. True
b. False