A workplace ergonomic assessment offers tremendous benefits for workers in any industry or setting, including warehouse staff. Laborers who spend their days in a warehouse are usually on their feet for several hours at a time and may have to do a lot of heavy lifting. The job’s physical demands only increase the risk of injuries and worker discomfort.
Find out how to improve ergonomics in a warehouse so your staff can remain safe and healthy while on the job. Use the tips below to increase warehouse safety and ergonomics, and reach out to WorkSafe for a personalized ergonomic assessment.
Train Employees on Standard Lifting Procedures
It’s no surprise that many warehouse staffers suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Many of these workers spend their days lifting and moving goods.
Most people assume that injuries only stem from lifting heavy objects. However, even retrieving small items can cause injuries if your staff doesn’t lift them properly. That’s why thorough training is necessary.
Teach your staff various warehouse ergonomics best practices, such as:
- Lifting heavy objects with the help of others or machinery
- Maintaining the correct posture while moving items
- Stretching in between physically demanding tasks
Offer regular training on ergonomic solutions for warehouses. You can supplement the training by posting signs around the facility with tips for reducing physical strain while on the job.
Automate Any Tasks That Contribute to Repetitive Strain Injuries
If you ask an expert how to improve ergonomics in a warehouse, they’ll tell you to take advantage of modern technology. Many injuries and musculoskeletal disorders stem from repetitive strain, such as grabbing items from an area and moving them to another for processing. Automating these tasks is key to improving warehouse worker comfort and reducing injury risks.
Automation may not be possible for every aspect of the job. However, you can implement certain technology to aid laborers. For example, instead of having an employee retrieve an item from a high shelf, they could operate a vehicle with a lifting mechanism to safely grab the object.
Perform Routine Audits
If you’re wondering how to improve ergonomics in a warehouse, don’t discount the power of workplace audits. Periodically inspect the inner workings of your facility and staff to make sure you’re meeting your goals. This type of audit should look specifically at the ergonomic measures you implement and how well they’re working.
Information that may help you adjust your strategy and make long-term improvements includes addressing:
- Injury or accident reports
- Employee pain points while performing physical tasks
- Workers’ posture while at workstations or performing manual labor
Based on your findings, you may need to change some of your policies or conduct more training sessions.
Promote Stretching and Breaks Throughout the Day
Warehouse employees can quickly burn out if they don’t take care of themselves. Any employer wondering how to improve ergonomics in a warehouse should encourage their staff to take breaks when needed and stretch throughout the day.
The musculoskeletal system can experience plenty of strain as workers walk throughout the space, grab stored items, and perform other physical tasks. Encouraging them to take short breaks and stretch throughout their shift helps prevent injuries and soreness after a long day.
Welcome Feedback From Employees
It’s easy for an employer to implement policies that they think will be helpful to their workforce. However, unless they are the ones subjected to these policies, they may not be able to tell if they’re effective. Every worker’s feedback is crucial.
Hearing directly from employees is one of the best ways to determine if new ergonomic measures are effective. Create an environment where your employees feel valued and encourage them to speak out about any concerns they have. Whether they come to you with positive or constructive feedback, you can use their experiences to improve.
For example, your employees may praise new technology that automates some repetitive work but still have issues with their individual workstations. This tells you that more ergonomic improvements can be made. As you implement new changes, allow your staff to speak candidly about how the policies impact them.
Partner With WorkSafe for Personalized Ergonomic Solutions
Knowing how to improve ergonomics in a warehouse is crucial for preventing injuries and keeping your workforce safe. The tips in this guide are the perfect starting point for transforming your workplace. Take your efforts a step further by teaming up with WorkSafe.
Our team performs comprehensive ergonomic assessments and assists employers looking to improve safety and physical operations. To learn how to get started, give us a call at (316) 262-8800.