The warehousing and storage industry moves incredibly quickly. There’s always activity, including lorries coming and going, forklifts loading and unloading, and people on the ground. As a result, safety is a very important topic. There’s a lot to think about here, but generally businesses will need a selection of crash barriers and railings. ERW tubes are a great option for many of these products, offering strength, durability, and high impact resistance.
Two major safety problems
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there are two main types of accidents in the warehousing and storage industry. The first is manual handling. Injuries can happen when people physically move different goods. A big part of this is attempting to carry things that are too heavy. Lifting incorrectly and trips and falls are common issues too.
The second type of accident is being hit by a vehicle. This is easily the biggest risk. Several different types of vehicles can be moving around, sometimes in very close proximity to people, racks, and parts of the structure itself. So, businesses need to think carefully about how to prevent accidents.
Solutions
Reducing the risk of accidents with manual handling can be relatively easy. The best thing to do is ensure people have the right equipment to use. Instead of trying to carry heavy loads manually, use trolleys, roll cages, and mechanical hoists. Ensure everyone has the right training and experience too. If possible, use smaller packages that are easier to deal with.
Reducing the chance of people being hit by a vehicle is a bit more challenging. However, there are some really useful solutions, including using ERW tubes to create barriers and railings.
Typically, the simplest solution will be the best if you want to prevent anyone being hit by a vehicle; ensure separation. If people on foot physically can’t get to areas where vehicles are moving around, you’ll have fewer problems. Generally the only risk here will be people unfamiliar with the property walking where they shouldn’t. Signs and clear guidance can prevent this.
If you can’t keep pedestrians and vehicles completely separate, you can use barriers and railings to offer protection. Then, if a vehicle does lose control, it will hit the barrier or railing instead of a person. You can choose different products here to suit any need, including single or twin channel barriers. You can even top them with handrails.
Another important thing to do is make sure everyone understands their responsibilities. For example, lorry and forklift drivers should be responsible for vehicle movements and ensuring routes are clear. People on foot on the other hand have a responsibility to ensure they use the right routes and communicate clearly.
High quality ERW tubes can maximise safety
At Union Steel Tubes we focus on quality and consistency. Our goal is to ensure clients come to us knowing they will get the finest tubing for any applications. We’ve also got fantastic credentials to prove it, including ISO certification.
So, if you need ERW tubes, rely on us. They can be useful for various safety products, including barriers, handrails, and more. We can even offer advice if you’re unsure of anything.
