PPE for Warehouse Workers Stay Safe in 2024

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has helped to significantly reduce the number and severity of accidents in the workplace over the years, and warehouse work is no exception. When employed as a warehouse worker, you may be required to do a lot of lifting and carrying, working on or around machinery such as forklifts, as well as being exposed to noise. Thankfully, there are some essential PPE available to keep you protected. Here's a quick guide.

Ear Protection

Warehouses can be loud places to work, with all the machines, forklifts, and other equipment. Ear protection is essential because it helps to limit the volume of noise reaching the inner ear. This protects workers' hearing, as loud sounds can damage ears and cause hearing loss over time. Wearing ear defenders or earplugs reduces the noise, so they can keep working safely.

Eye Protection

Depending on the type of warehouse and the goods it handles, some workers may need eye protection, such as safety glasses. Some warehouses can be dangerous with flying debris, dust, and chemicals, and without safety glasses, workers risk getting something in their eyes, which may cause serious injuries or even blindness. Wearing eye protection helps prevent these accidents, again allowing workers to stay safe while they do their jobs.

High-Visibility Clothing

Reflective, high-visibility clothing is an important part of any warehouse worker's PPE. It allows them to be seen in low light conditions, as well as helping them to stand out to those who are operating machinery. High-visibility clothing includes items like vests, waistcoats, jackets and more.

Gloves

Warehouses can sometimes be chilly places to work, especially if they are climate-controlled environments that deal with produce like food. Lifting boxes or other items can also create wear and tear to the skin over time. With protective gloves, workers can make sure their hands stay warm and protected.

Helmets

In a warehouse, goods are usually stacked on shelving. Wearing helmets protects workers in case of objects falling from height, as well as protecting them from accidents involving them hitting their heads.

Safety Footwear

Warehouse workers who are handling heavy goods or working with or around machinery will benefit from footwear that has inbuilt protection, such as steel toe-capped boots. These will protect the foot in the event of something landing on it, ensuring that feet and toes are as safe as possible.

PPE for warehouse workers is a necessity that should never be overlooked. Even small injuries can result in long-term damage, as well as time off work, which is not good news for either the warehouse business or its staff. If you are a warehouse manager, taking steps to ensure your staff have all the PPE they need will both prevent injuries and look after the interests of your business.