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Safety in distribution centers is a top priority at work. Going home in one piece at the end of the day is as important as fulfilling orders, and every employee can help by following a few practical tips.

Evaluate Each Area

Most distribution centers have potential hazards in dozens of areas. Check each area regularly to remove potential hazards in:

• Housekeeping
• Storage height
• Aisle width
• Fire protection
• Hazardous product storage

Train Everyone

While your company may employ a safety manager, everyone is responsible for safety in distribution centers. Train all employees to spot and remove or report hazards and to follow safety protocols at all times, including before and after shifts and during breaks.

Obtain Proper Safety Certifications

Anyone who operates equipment or works around hazardous materials must obtain the proper certifications. That training includes safety lessons and helps protect everyone on the job.

Talk About Safety

Prioritize safety conversations regularly. Ask co-workers if they are having a safe day, encourage safe behavior, and discuss safety metrics as part of maintaining a safe job site.

Take Charge of Safety in Your Area

You may not be the distribution center's safety manager, but you are responsible for exercising safety precautions. Be an example of safe practices for others and help keep the entire center safe.

Cooperate With Safety Drills

Safety drills ensure everyone knows how to react in an emergency. Cooperate with drills and encourage co-workers to participate to maintain readiness across the site.

Clean Your Work Station

Keep your work station clean and orderly. If you spill something, clean it up promptly so no one slips, and encourage your colleagues to do the same.

Maintain Proper Posture

Use good body mechanics to prevent injuries while you perform daily duties.

• Use proper lifting techniques.
• Avoid twisting.
• Use an order picker, pulleys, carts, and mechanized equipment when appropriate.

Protect Visitors

Keep customers, vendors, and visitors safe when they are on your property. Provide protective equipment when appropriate, brief delivery drivers on safety procedures, and chaperone visitors so they stay safe while moving through the facility.

Confront Unsafe Behavior

When you see a co-worker acting unsafely, speak up. Make sure they understand the safer alternative and work together to maintain a safer workplace.

Keep Improving

Even if your distribution center has strong safety records, there is always room for improvement. Encourage continuous learning about safety protocols and keep focus on preventing incidents.

For information about insurance for other facility types, see Skating Centers (Roller and Ice) Insurance and Detention Centers Insurance.

If you have questions about coverage or risk mitigation, talk to your agent for guidance specific to your operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common hazards in distribution centers?

Common hazards include slips and trips, improper storage height, vehicle interactions, and unsafe use of material-handling equipment.

How often should employees receive safety training?

Employees should receive initial safety training before performing tasks and regular refresher training, with additional sessions when procedures or equipment change.

Who is responsible for enforcing safety rules?

While safety managers coordinate programs, every employee shares responsibility for following and enforcing safety practices in their area.

Employees who work in construction, carpentry, manufacturing, auto repair, welding and maintenance are most likely to experience eye injuries. However, almost every work environment contains eye hazards, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 2,000 people suffer from workplace eye injuries every day. As many as 400 of those accidents cause vision loss. The correct eye protection can prevent up to 90 percent of these accidents.

Common Causes of Workplace Eye Injuries

The most common causes of eye injuries include:

• Chemicals and cleaning products
• Tools
• Flying metal, glass, pencils, nails, staples, wood slivers and other objects
• Particles
• Harmful radiation

How do Eye Injuries Happen?

Eye injuries typically occur in three ways.

1. Penetration occurs when a sharp object enters the eye and causes trauma.
2. Burns damage the tissue in and around the eye. They are caused by chemicals or cleaning products and include thermal burns from welding.
3. Striking or scraping involves small particles or objects and is the most common workplace eye injury. The offending material can affect the eye, eyeball or socket.

Ways to Prevent Eye Injuries

You and your employees can take several steps to protect sensitive eyes.

1. Perform an eye hazard assessment. Walk around your business and identify any workstations, objects or other potential hazards.
2. Eliminate as many hazards as possible. Work with your safety manager or insurance company to identify and remove the hazards you find.
3. Install safety measures. Consider installing screens, machine guarding or engineering controls as well as other necessary safety precautions.
4. Teach eye safety to your employees. Your team members should understand the potential dangers they may face on the job and the protective measures they should take.
5. Provide proper eye safety gear. The gear you provide depends on your specific workplace hazards and on your employees’ personal preferences and needs. Examples include prescription and non-prescription safety glasses, side shields, goggles, face shields, helmets and full-face respirators. Be sure the safety lenses meet OSHA requirements, are comfortable and allow peripheral vision.
6. Train team members on how to handle an eye injury emergency. Everyone should know where the eye wash station is located and how to use it.
7. Continue to take eye safety seriously. Perform regular hazard assessments, update safety equipment and provide ongoing eye safety training.
8. Update your Workers’ Compensation insurance. While you do your best to ensure workplace safety, accidents can happen. Your Workers’ Compensation insurance will pay for medical treatment and other related expenses if an employee suffers an eye injury on the job.

If your business handles hazardous materials or hazardous waste, consider specialized coverage such as Hazardous Material and Hazardous Waste Hauling Insurance Program. If you operate repair or garage services, review options like Hazard II Garage Insurance for relevant protections.

For help selecting appropriate coverage, ask your agent.

Workplace eye safety is important. Use these top safety tips to prevent as many eye injuries as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately if an employee gets a foreign object in their eye?

If the object is a small particle, do not rub the eye; flush with clean water or use an eyewash station and seek medical attention if irritation persists.

How do I choose the right protective eyewear for my employees?

Match protective eyewear to the specific hazards at each workstation and ensure lenses meet applicable safety standards and fit comfortably.

Are regular safety trainings necessary for preventing eye injuries?

Yes. Regular training keeps employees aware of hazards and proper use of protective equipment, reducing the risk of accidents.

When should an eye injury be treated as an emergency?

Seek immediate medical care for penetrating injuries, chemical burns, vision changes, severe pain, or if an object cannot be removed safely.