Warehouses and distribution centers are important components of business supply chains. However, they may also pose a variety of risks to those who work in such settings. Minnesota loading dock workers could be vulnerable to falling or being victims of forklift accidents. Those who work from heights may also be vulnerable to falls, and some warehouses and other similar facilities use pit areas to minimize the impact of a fall.
To protect workers from getting hurt, employers may benefit by conforming to OSHA fall protection standards. This is because falls account for 20 percent of all deaths and injuries that result in lost days at work in general industry on average. OSHA has updated its rules related to walking or working surfaces, and employers are now required to provide protection whenever a worker is walking on a surface more than 4 feet above a lower level.
Employers may meet this requirement by using guardrail or safety net systems. It may also be possible to use a personal fall protection system that does not make sure of body belts. In addition to taking steps to reduce falls, it may be a good idea to use signs or physical barriers to protect workers from other hazards that they may face.
If a worker is injured in a workplace accident, it may be a good idea to file for workers’ compensation benefits. An attorney may be able to help a worker through the process of claiming benefits or may act as an advocate for those who have had their claims denied.