6 Practices to Help Keep Warehouse Businesses Safe From Health Risks

Article by: Claire Wentz of Caring from Afar

 

There’s not a single business that hasn’t been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. If you own an inventory-based business, ensuring that your warehouse remains open and transportation services operate with minimal risk should be a top priority. Failing to do so could put the health of your workers, customers, and the community at risk. If you want to keep your business safe from a health standpoint, these resources and best practices from CASCO can help.

Review All Warehouse Rules and Practices

Before you begin making accommodations to keep your workers and customers safe, you may want to spend some time minimizing other warehouse risks. This can be accomplished by taking a good look at your warehouse management processes and making sure you have the right technology and practices in place to protect your team and your profits.

This should include making use of tools such as shift scheduling software, which can help you keep a close watch on the number of workers you need to efficiently run your warehouse. Organization, efficiency, and innovation are all critical elements to include, as well, so make sure all members of your management team are on the same page in terms of operations.

Start Temperature Checks for All Employees

Once you have your general warehouse processes updated and improved, you can start implementing rules aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus. For many warehouses and businesses, this means instituting mandatory temperature checks for all workers — even customers — who enter the premises. Health screenings like these are crucial to keep potentially infected workers from spreading the virus and to ensure that previously impacted workers can return to work safely after the quarantine period has ended. You can buy contactless thermometers online to keep warehouse health screenings safe for everyone.

Ensure Workers Wear Masks and Wash Their Hands

In addition to temperature checks, you also need to use other pandemic tools to keep your warehouse safe and operating smoothly. Resources that your business might need include helpful signage recommended to enforce face covering and handwashing policies on your warehouse floor. Post these signs in conspicuous and appropriate locations, including restrooms and break rooms.

Routinely Clean and Disinfect Warehouse Surfaces

Frequent cleaning is also critical if you want to keep your warehouse and business free of germs and other contaminants. Current safety recommendations from the World Health Organization states that using soap and water can reduce the spread of coronavirus germs but that regularly disinfecting surfaces with approved cleaners will further limit the risk to your employees and customers.

Minimize Contact With Customers During Deliveries

Most shipping providers are using contactless deliveries to keep their workers and customers safe during the pandemic. If your business offers direct delivery and installation services, UCHealth notes that you will want to implement some of the same safe practices — as well as ensuring compliance to drug and alcohol mandates — to ensure that your team members and your clients are not putting their health and safety at risk. You can also limit services to outdoor spaces, when possible.

Follow Current State and Local Public Health Guidelines

Federal organizations put out guidelines to help businesses safely stay open during the pandemic, and even as COVID-19 wanes, it’s important that you consult these recommendations when operating your warehouse. It’s also essential that you stay up-to-date with the latest news and recommendations in your state and city.

If new recommendations concerning COVID-19 do arise, be sure to communicate these updates to your employees. Emailing employees, posting signs, and handing out flyers are all effective ways to share new protocols with your workers.

At the end of the day, whether you’re focusing on safety measures or the warehouse in general, it’s critical to implement a culture of safety that everyone understands and knows to adhere to at all times. When this becomes a regular mindset across the board for everyone, you can feel more confident in fewer accidents and fewer incidents of exposure.

Even though the number of COVID-19 cases has dropped dramatically, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t make the health and safety of your team, customers, and greater community a top priority. So institute practices that minimize health risks to meet this responsibility.

Photo Credit: Pexels

Architecture and engineering firm CASCO provides top-notch talent and dedicated account and project managers for your business’s needs. Reach out today for more information! 314-821-1100