Verst Insights Blog

COVID-19 Warehouse Safety Guide: April 2020 Meeting Topics & Calendar

Written by Mike Hart | April 1, 2020

When it comes to safety, today’s warehouses are really between a rock and a hard place.

On the one hand, having frequent safety meetings has never been more important, because  there are so many new COVID-19 precautions to share and because now, more than ever, it’s essential to help warehouse personnel avoid any accident that could send them to the hospital.

On the other, it’s essential to respect the importance of social distancing and keeping people at least six feet apart.

So what’s a responsible warehouse safety professional to do? 

“Fortunately for all of us, there are many ways you can still host a daily safety meeting without gathering people too closely – or for too long,” says Mike Hart, vice president of risk management for Verst Logistics. “And there are numerous reasons why you should.”

Six Ways to Conduct Safety Meetings By Encouraging Social Distancing

For example, companies can:

  • Host several smaller safety meetings instead of one large, all-facility meeting – and make sure everyone who attends is spread out at least six feet apart instead of standing or sitting closely together.
  • Use microphones or facility PA systems. This will allow personnel to stand or sit even farther apart and facilitate even greater social distancing.
  • Post the safety message of the day on a highly visible facility bulletin board – and instruct attendees to check that board out – rather than reading or circulating that message during the meeting.
  • Focus on keeping meetings shorter than usual. Instead of delivering multiple messages, focus on sharing one safety reminder of the day and one good open-ended safety question.  This will minimize the time that people are in close proximity to each other.
  • Rely on universally understood hand signals – like thumbs up/down – rather than long verbal exchanges. For example, they can ask a safety question such as “Is it true you must always look in the direction of travel?” and ask people to make a thumb up or down to convey their vote. 
  • Focus on covering safety topics that can easily be taught from a distance or communicated over a PA system.  

Along those lines, check out this month’s warehouse safety training calendar from Verst.  It’s full of ideas for daily safety meetings that will enable you to check all of these blocks – and that share some of the most important safety messages (like emphasizing the importance of frequent handwashing and properly wiping down equipment) your company should be emphasizing right now. 

We hope you’ll find it helpful. More important, we hope that no matter how busy or hectic things get during these trying times, you will continue to keep all elements of warehouse safety top-of-mind. 

April 2020 Warehouse Safety Calendar

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

      1 2 3 4

 

 

 

 

Social Distance:

Please remember to stay 6’ back and wash your hands/don’t touch your face.

2-Bay/HMA Distance:

What is the distance required that pedestrians must stay back when lifts/put-away are being performed?

Foot Injuries:

Keep all body parts within running lines, stop equipment before getting off, be aware of surroundings.

Inspections:

Check your equipment before using – leaks, brakes, horn, etc.

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Securing Product:

Tell me how you secure product and on what operation.

Hand Safety:

Always look before grabbing something; always use proper PPE and look for nails or glass.

Pinch Points:

Tell me two (2) pinch points you could encounter today and how will you reduce your risks.

Proper Lifting:

Bring a case to pre-shift and have someone demonstrate proper lifting technique.

Stress the importance of proper lifting.

Stop Spread of Virus:

Wash hands/take shoes off before you go into your house.

Hydration:

½ your body weight in ounces of water each day is recommended.

Run-Hide-Fight:

Ask: What does it mean to Run-Hide-Fight? When is it used?

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Trailer Hazards:

Tell me two (2) hazards around trailers or dock plates.

Powered Equipment:

Have someone demonstrate four (4) points of contact.

Securing Product:

Please ensure your load is secure before moving product; always look in direction of travel.

 

Use Quiz

PPE Check: 

Check your PPE before you use. Look for tears, worn spots, and even overuse.

Stop Virus:

Please wipe down your equipment before use and throughout the day.

Hand Safety:

How can you pinch your fingers, what will you do to reduce risks?

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Reporting:

Tell me when you would report a hazard and why.

Seatbelts:

You must wear your seatbelt while on your equipment to reduce risks of serious injury.

Fatal Risks:

Trailer pull, lockout/tag out and working on heights.

Intersections:

Always look before entering, sound horns and stop if you don’t have the right away.

Cell Phone Policy:

Please do not use phones on the floor-you must be in a safe area.

Stop Spread of Virus:

6’ apart, wash your hands a lot and use sanitizer.

MHE Checks:

Tell me two (2) things you check prior to using powered equipment.

26 27 28 29 30    

Evacuation:

Tell me what your alarm is and where you go for a tornado.

Pinch Points:

Pinch points can be catastrophic, pallet areas, dock doors and conveyors are some to be concerned with.  

Cross-Aisles:

What must you do at a cross-aisle?

Running Lines:

Always keep body part within your equipment running lines.

Stop spread of Virus:

Put all disposable PPE you have used in the trash so others don’t have to touch it.