Warehouse work is becoming more and more dangerous. Injuries continue to increase. Those gains have put in doubt the effectiveness of recent implementations. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), training programs, and stretching routines have yet to stem the tide of staff members getting hurt or losing their lives on the job.
Physical and financial costs
Accidents resulting in musculoskeletal injuries suffered immediately or over time remain the most costly, accounting for one-third of mishaps. The impact can result in strains, sprains, and pulls. Slips and falls, and heat risks also remain prominent. In 2020, the total costs of workplace accidents exceeded $160 billion in the United States. Nonfatal work accidents and illnesses accounted for $2.7 billion.
The “top four” includes:
- Overexertion
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Repetitive motion injuries/Carpal tunnel
- Colliding with equipment or a stationary object
Countless types of injuries are often the result of less-than-adequate ergonomic practices. The sum total of physical damage has exposed the shortcomings of employers, the need for increased safety measures, and put an end to dangerous worker behavior where hazardous mistakes can end careers.
Improvements require companies to step up and invest in the right technology and proper training. It is in the best interest of employers to create strategies, if not an overall environment, where safety comes first. Employers concerned about their bottom lines need to have their fingers on the pulse of the latest and greatest strategies to minimize staff injuries and deaths.