INTRODUCTION
Many industries contain warehouse or storage environments, not just the wholesale distribution industry. On average there are more than 2,300 reportable injuries that occur in such warehouse environments every year. When one takes into account possible under-reporting the figure may be nearer 6,000 reportable injuries per year or even higher. Such high levels of injury undoubtedly arise from the wide range of risks present in warehousing, ranging from storage and manual/mechanical handling systems to the equipment, substances and work practices used.
KEY FACTS ABOUT INJURIES TO EMPLOYEES IN WAREHOUSES
By examining accident statistics *for warehousing over a period of time it is possible to identify key risks to assist in prioritising action. The following information may therefore be of use.
Fatalities - Average of almost 6 per year
- This represents around 20% of all fatalities reported to local authorities
- Almost half were due to falls from a height (racking, vehicle or ladder)
- A fifth involved being struck by a vehicle (fork lift truck)
Major injuries- Average of over 200 per year.
- This represents 9% of all major injuries reported to local authorities.
- Almost half were due to either slipping and tripping on level ground or falling from a height.
- 17% due to being struck by a vehicle.
- 14% due to being struck by a falling or moving object.
- Vast majority of injuries were fractures.
* Key fact sheet on injuries to employees within warehouses as reported to local
authorities 1987-1997
Over-3-day injuries - Average of almost 2,100 per year.
- This represents 12% of all over-3-day injuries reported to local authorities.
- Almost 40% involved the person lifting or carrying an object.
- The next three biggest causes were struck by moving vehicle (17%), slips and trips
(16%) and struck by moving object (14%).
- 60% of moving vehicle injuries were caused by fork lift trucks; 38% were due to being struck by a non-powered truck e.g. trolley.
