The importance of investing in safe warehouse equipment

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that over a fifth of non-fatal injuries involving the transport and storage of groups during the years 2020 to 2023 were linked to poor handling, lifting, and carrying.

In October 2024, Back Awareness Week addressed the issue of back pain and how to prevent it. One way to reduce incidents of back pain is to invest in warehouse manual handling equipment designed with worker safety as a primary consideration.

For example, picking and storage trolleys should have ergonomic features, such as handle heights suitable for most workers and angled to reduce stress. Trolley bases need to be at a height that prevents unnecessary bending. Premium grade casters reduce the push and pull force required to move heavy items. Bespoke warehouse equipment can be designed in partnership between manufacturers and end users, both of whom make safety a top priority.

Walkways need anti-slip floor coating and should be clearly marked with safety tape. Ideally, walkways with handrails should separate walking workers from vehicles.

Many older warehouses have loading bays made for large articulated trucks. Some warehouses have switched to smaller delivery vans for faster delivery times, but loading bays have not always been adapted to the lower loading height. Dock levelling ramps that give easier access to large loading bays make it safer for manual loading operations.

Though Back Awareness Week only lasted seven days, regular injury prevention training can increase all-year-round awareness of how to prevent injuries when manually lifting or moving goods.

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