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Top Warehouse Injuries and How to Avoid Them

Warehouse Safety Can Be Improved With a Trailer Dolly

Warehouses can put workers at risk of being injured in several ways. Knowing more about some of the more common warehouse injuries can help warehouse owners take steps to prevent them from happening. From using a motorized trailer dolly instead of a forklift to making sure workers use protective equipment, keep the following in mind to improve warehouse safety.

Forklift Injuries

These industrial trucks are used to move pallets and other objects around warehouses and distribution centers. Forklift accidents and injuries can occur if these vehicles are operated incorrectly or when warehouse environments are set up in an unsafe way. Ensuring proper training for forklift operators, clearing obstructions in warehouses, and switching to trailer dollies are all ways to lower the risk of having forklift injuries occur. Keep in mind that forklift injuries can occur inside warehouses or on loading docks.

Slips and Falls

Warehouse workers can become seriously injured from falling on slippery floors or falling from heights. This can lead to fractures, head injuries, and other severe injuries. Having workers use protective equipment, marking slippery surfaces with signs, and making sure workers use ladders safely can help prevent fall injuries in warehouses.

Overexertion Injuries

Workers in a warehouse environment might put too much strain on their muscles and other parts of their body while lifting or moving items around. This can result in torn or strained muscles, injuries to connective tissue, sprains, and other injuries. Workers should know how to properly lift and carry objects around in order to reduce the risk of overexertion injuries.

Falling Objects

Having items stacked in an unsafe manner, such as being too high and unstable, can cause them to fall from shelves or other areas. This can lead to neck and head injuries if objects, especially heavy items, land on workers. Making sure products are stored and stacked as safely as possible can help prevent these kinds of injuries from occurring.

Looking for the right trailer dolly for your warehouse? Contact DJ Products to learn more about our products. We can assist you in finding the best motorized dolly to help keep workers safe on the job.

Three of The Most Common Warehouse Injuries

Common Workplace Injuries

Based on statistics, industry experts estimate that five percent of warehouse workers will suffer a workplace injury each year. Use our electric Trailer Dolly and other proactive methods to cut down on these three common warehouse injuries.

1. Forklift

Not surprisingly, forklifts are involved in a significant number of workplace injuries. Based on data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), each forklift in your facility has a 10 percent chance of being involved in an accident this year. In addition, nearly 80 percent of forklift accidents include pedestrians.

2. Overexertion

The physical nature of warehouse work puts a great deal of stress on a worker’s body. Nearly two-thirds of these injuries affect the back, but arms and legs are also vulnerable. In some cases, overexertion can lead to heart attacks. These types of injuries are especially costly to you and your workers because they can result in chronic pain that affects work performance and quality of life.

Poor body mechanics are a leading cause of stress injuries, so training in the correct methods can go a long way toward reducing the risk. Make sure that workers are both fully trained and physically capable of performing any tasks they are assigned.

3. Slips, trips and falls

Slips and trips occur when obstacles on the warehouse floor or outside grounds cause a worker to lose balance. Frequent risk factors include:

- Uneven walking surfaces
- Loose rugs or protective mats
- Exposed cords and cables
- Spilled water or other liquid materials
- Ice and snow in the truck yard

While falls can happen on ground level, they most often occur at elevated levels. Loading docks and ladders are common sites of falling accidents. One potentially dangerous practice involves workers using a forklift to raise themselves up to the higher shelves. This move is risky, even for experienced employees.

Improve Workplace Safety with the Trailer Dolly from DJ Products

Our Trailer Dolly and other material handling solutions are ergonomically designed to reduce the musculoskeletal stress caused by many warehouse task. Visit our website and use the handy online chat feature to learn more from our friendly Sales Engineers.

Common Risks of The Trailer Yard and How a Trailer Dolly Can Help

Trailer Yard Management Made Easier

Your trailer yard may not handle traditional road traffic, but there’s still a significant risk of injury to workers and damage to products and equipment. An electric Trailer Dolly from DJ Products can help improve safety by minimizing or eliminating some of the common risk factors found in trailer yards.

1. Poor maintenance

Although yard tractors rarely leave the yard, they’re still designed for legal on-road use. This means they include a number of controls and gauges that need to be inspected and maintained on a regular basis. Our Trailer Dollies are battery-powered, eliminating the costly expense of fuel and corresponding systems. There’s also no need to worry about cab-tilt systems, transmissions, and other intricate features.

2. Pedestrian safety

As road-legal vehicles, yard tractors must be operated by qualified workers who hold a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL). In addition, both driver and vehicle are subject to all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR).

If no licensed driver is available, your yard activities can come to a screeching halt. Even trained drivers have to navigate a number of difficulties, such as poor sight lines and narrow clearances, in order to avoid injuring pedestrians.

No special licensing is required to operate a Trailer Dolly. Any worker, regardless of size, can become fully operational with a minimum of training. Our tugs are also compact enough to easily negotiate sharp corners and tight clearances.

3. Driver injuries

Some of your workers have undoubtedly suffered injuries associated with operating yard tractors. Common injuries include slips and falls while entering or exiting the tractor and catching hands in pinch points.

Workers simply walk behind or in front of Trailer Dollies, so there’s no chance of falling out of a cab. These movers are ergonomically designed to reduce the strain that often leads to repetitive motion injuries.

Protect Workers with a Trailer Dolly from DJ Products

A demonstrated concern for employee welfare provides a boost in worker morale, leading to greater productivity. Contact us at 800.686.2651 and let one of our friendly Sales Engineers help you find the right material handling solution for your specific application.

Top 10 Forklift Safety Hazards and How to Avoid Catastrophe Part 2

Safety Tips for Heavy Machinery

When you rely on forklifts in your warehouse, ensuring safe usage is essential. Switching to a trailer dolly instead helps reduce the risk of accidents. The following safety tips for operating forklifts can also protect against injuries and accidents.

Attachment Accidents

Forklifts have attachments that serve different purposes. Attaching these components or using them incorrectly can result in serious accidents. Forklift attachments also need to be maintained regularly to lower the risk of damage that can lead to accidents. Proper training, regular inspections, and routine maintenance can help ensure that forklift attachments are safely used.

Fuel Hazards

Forklifts typically require propane, diesel, or other chemicals to keep them charged and ready for use. Some of these chemicals are highly flammable, which increases the risk of warehouse fires. In some cases, explosions can also occur. Maintain a safe fueling area and ensure all chemicals are properly disposed of. Make sure staff know never to smoke in these areas.

Seatbelt Problems

Forklift operators need to have seatbelts or other harnesses that keep them secure while they drive around. A loose seatbelt or one that doesn’t work properly puts operators at a higher risk of injuries and accidents. Ensure all seatbelts and other harnesses are kept in good working condition.

Forklift Blind Spots

Blind spots in warehouses put forklift operators and pedestrians at greater risk of injuries and accidents. Forklift operators should put this equipment in reverse instead of driving forward when moving large loads that obstruct their views. Reducing accidents involves making sure pedestrians stay out of blind spots, keeping areas clear for operators, and ensuring that they know how to drive forklifts in reverse.

Low Ceilings

Operating a forklift in an area with low ceilings or other overhead obstructions can lead to accidents. Forklift equipment or the load being carried might be damaged in these areas. Ceilings should have markings that help forklift operators determine where they can and cannot go. Each operator should know the size of the forklift they’re using in order to avoid going into these areas.

If you’re interested in purchasing a trailer dolly to help improve safety in your warehouse, contact DJ Products.

Top 10 Forklift Safety Hazards and How to Avoid Catastrophe Part 1

Heavy Machinery Safety Tips

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), as many as 62,000 injuries occur annually as a result of forklift mishaps. With each injury that receives medical attention costing an average of $188,00 in expenses and lost productivity, the impact on a business is clear.

How can you help workers avoid these costly incidents? DJ Products, makers of the electric Trailer Dolly, shares expert tips on recognizing and preventing forklift hazards.

1. Blind spots

Just as with any motorized vehicle, forklifts have blind spots where pedestrians and other obstacles are hidden from the operator’s view.

- Make sure employees keep a wide berth when forklifts are in motion.
- Ensure that forklift operators are trained in driving backwards, in case a load is too bulky for them to see over.

2. Improper maintenance

Don’t wait until a forklift is malfunctioning. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule.

3. Surface conditions

Ground obstructions, no matter how minor, can cause forklifts to veer off-course or even tip over.

- Ensure that warehouse aisles are free of pallets, debris and other obstacles that may interfere with a forklift. Clean spills promptly and clearly mark any trouble areas.
- Check warehouse floors regularly for bumps, holes and other surface irregularities and repair them immediately.

4. Overhead obstructions

Due to the nature of how a forklift operates, clear ceilings are just as important as clear floors.

- Are there any warehouse areas, such as aisles or doorways, that don’t have enough clearance to allow safe passage? Be sure that heights are visibly marked.
- If any objects are suspended from the ceiling, remove them if possible or mark their location.

5. Speed

The average weight of a forklift is 9,000 pounds, so it doesn’t have to be going fast to cause significant damage in a collision.

- Enforce safe speed limits and consider designating a lookout person so the operator is fully aware of the surroundings.
- Create a pedestrians-only zone.

Trailer Dolly and Other Material Handling Solutions from DJ Products

Our battery-powered Trailer Dolly is one of our full line of pushers, movers and tugs that help to improve warehouse safety. Call 800.686.2651 to learn more.

OSHA’s Essential Safety Tips for Forklifts and Powered Industrial Movers

OSHA’s Top Safety Tips

Powered industrial movers, like our electric Trailer Dolly, help warehouse workers perform necessary work tasks safely and efficiently. What else can you do to reduce injury risk? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers some great safety tips you can implement in your workplace.

Storage and Handling

- Conduct regular inspection of shelves and racks, looking for areas of weakness. Any damaged areas should be isolated immediately until they can be repaired.
- Store heavier loads on lower shelves and racks. Make sure maximum load capacities are observed without exception.
- Stack loose and unboxed materials carefully to prevent falling.
- Don’t allow stored materials to extend past the edge of shelves, creating possible obstructions to workers and material handling equipment.
- Install rack upright guards to protect from accidental forklift contact.
- Perform ongoing maintenance to keep warehouse aisles free of cases, pallets and other obstructions.

Conveyors

- Have a regular inspection schedule so problem areas are discovered promptly.
- Install adequate safeguards on all pinch points. Make sure lighting is sufficient and work surfaces are level.
- Have procedures in place to lock conveyors out in case of accidents or malfunctions. Train all employees on what to do during an emergency.

Material Handling Equipment

- Perform all scheduled inspections and maintenance on pallet jacks and forklifts to ensure proper performance.
- Make sure all areas where material handling equipment is used are clearly marked. Mark boundaries for proper clearance.
- Keep elevators and hoists free of obstructions. Install appropriate signals and directional warning signs.
- Instruct workers to keep aisles clear of stray boxes, trash and other obstructions.
- Keep floors clean and well-maintained. Repair any ruts, bumps, holes or other hazards that cause workers to use excessive force in transporting materials. These damages can also result in vibrations and shocks when using driven equipment.

The Trailer Dolly from DJ Products

Our eco-friendly Trailer Dolly is battery-powered, eliminating the time and money spent on maintenance for gas-powered industrial movers. DJ Products offers a full line of electric movers, pushers and tugs for any application. Contact us and let our Sales Engineers help you find the solution that’s right for your business.

Essential Warehouse Ergonomic Safety Tips from OSHA

Warehouse work carries a significant risk for musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs. Lifting heavy objects, using awkward body postures, and repetitive motions are a few of the factors that place undue stress on muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Our ergonomically designed Trailer Dolly helps reduce the number of costly work-related injuries. Here are some other useful ergonomic safety tips from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

1. Provide management support.

When management demonstrates a sincere concern for worker safety, employees are more likely to make it a priority as well. Make sure managers define and communicate safety goals and conduct regular training in safety best practices.

2. Solicit employee feedback.

No one understands the hazards of the workplace better than those who are actually performing the job functions. Encourage employees to speak up about safety concerns and offer ideas for possible solutions.

3. Use proper equipment.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one-third of workplace injuries involve the back and shoulders, largely due to lifting heavy objects. Implement equipment, such as our electric Trailer Dolly, that’s designed to handle large loads and take stress off of workers.

4. Evaluate work flow.

Take a close look at the warehouse layout as it relates to work flow. Are employees having to reach across long distances or stoop over to perform certain tasks? Make any necessary adjustments to work stations that will allow employees to maintain neutral positions as much as possible.

5. Use personal protective equipment.

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is a practical solution to minimize warehouse safety hazards.

Padding protects against damaging contact with sharp edges, hard surfaces and vibrating structures.
Thermal gloves allow workers to get a firm grasp on items, even in cold conditions.
Steel-toe work boots protect feet from falling objects and provide sturdy footing on slippery or uneven floors.

For maximum protection, make sure PPE fits well and workers wear the gear properly.

Avoid Workplace Injuries with Our Trailer Dolly

DJ Products carries a full range of battery-powered tugs, movers and pushers that provide safe material handling solutions for any application. Contact us to learn more from our friendly and experienced Sales Engineers.

5 Ways to Improve Distribution Center Yard Management

Distribution Center Trailer Yard

Truckyards are a hub of constant activity for distribution centers and warehouses. Our Trailer Dolly relieves the burden involved in many of the physical tasks, but how do you manage overall yard functions to keep everything running smoothly? Use these five helpful tips for more effective yard management.

1. Automate truck arrival and exiting processes.

No matter how quickly employees load or unload a truck, gridlock will set in if they can’t get trucks in and out of the yard efficiently. Implement tracking technology for accurate notifications when trucks arrive and depart.

2. Use signs to identify yard zones and post information.

Put yourself in the shoes of a brand-new driver arriving at your yard. Would you know where to go and what to do, or would you be frantically searching for someone to help you? Make sure all drivers are greeted with plenty of appropriate signage to help them easily navigate the yard.

3. Track key performance indicators.

As any motivational expert will tell you, measurability is a key element of strong goals. Employees are more motivated when they know exactly what they need to accomplish and they can see the results of their efforts. Key performance indicators, also known as KPIs, provide specific targets that allow workers to focus their efforts more productively.

4. Monitor safety and compliance.

Do employees cut corners in order to make deadlines? If safety procedures are sacrificed in the interest of speed, it’s bound to catch up with your operations in terms of costly fines or even more costly injuries. Use your yard management system (YMS) to track safety violations and related data to identify areas of concern.

5. Make training and education a priority.

Help employees internalize proper procedures to the point where they become second nature. Train team members in best practices and protocols across the entire spectrum of operations, from arrival of trucks through loading and unloading to departure.

Choose the Trailer Dolly from DJ Products

The battery-powered Trailer Dolly is just one of our eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions for all your material handling needs. Use our handy online chat feature to learn more from our knowledgeable Sales Engineers.

5 Ways a Trailer Dolly Can Improve Your Trailer Yard

Trailer Yard Safety With the Trailer Dolly

Moving trailers around from one area to another in your trailer yard comes with certain risks and challenges. Without the right equipment, your trailer yard can become an unsafe place for employees. You might also face difficulties in terms of efficiency and costs. Using a motorized trailer dolly to move trailers from spot to spot offers the ideal solution. These trailer dollies can provide your trailer yard with the following advantages.

Safer Work Environment

Trailer dollies in trailer yards make it safer for workers to tow or move trailers around compared to yard trucks. These dollies usually have forward-facing operation, which reduces the need for operators to look behind them when they need to back into a spot. These dollies also make it easier to avoid running into obstacles in the trailer yard.

Better Efficiency

Having employees drive yard trucks around to move trailers means you have to make sure they have proper licensing. You might also have to keep track of their hours behind the wheel for safety purposes. Trailer dollies don’t require a commercial driver’s license, logged hours, or specialized training to operate. This can help improve efficiency in your trailer yard.

Lower Costs

Switching from a yard truck that runs on diesel to a battery-powered trailer dolly that can be recharged can help save your company money. You’ll also have reduced costs from not having to hire CDL drivers to operate yard trucks.

Improved Maneuvering

Trailer dollies provide much smoother maneuvering in trailer yards compared to yard trucks. Workers can easily steer and turn these dollies, even in tight or confined spaces. This helps reduce the risk of accidents, errors, and injuries.

Simple to Use

Electric trailer dollies are much easier to operate than yard trucks. With these dollies, you can have more workers available to move trailers around. This can lead to better efficiency in your trailer yard, since you don’t need specially trained staff with proper licensing.

If you’re looking for the right trailer dolly for your trailer yard, please contact DJ Products. Our company can help you choose the best solution for improving efficiency and safety in your trailer yard.

5 Safety Issues Our Trailer Dolly Helps Warehouse Yards Avoid

According to the National Safety Council, approximately 25 percent of reported warehouse injuries occur on loading docks. How much time and productivity have loading dock injuries cost your company? Minimize these five major warehouse yard safety issues with use of our battery-powered Trailer Dolly.

1. Improper use of vehicle restraints

Engines should always be shut off during trailer loading and unloading. In addition, wheel chocks and other supplementary vehicle restraints should be used to guard against periodic shifting and movement, often referred to as trailer creep.

2. Defective or improperly-used dock plates

Dock plates bridge the gap between the trailer and loading dock, which is a significant safety risk. Wear and tear over repeated use can result in damage that causes the plates to fail. Ensure that the plates are capable of supporting cargo, moving devices and the workers handling the loads. Plates should be positioned with a minimum overlap of eight inches on each end.

3. Absence of personal protective equipment (PPE)

At a minimum, loading dock workers should be wearing safety shoes, gloves, hard hats and goggles. All PPE should be examined on a regular basis for proper fit and good condition.

4. Blocking exits and emergency equipment

During busy times, it’s all too easy to cut corners by placing trailers in the wrong spot, thinking a few minutes can’t hurt. The truth is that injuries can occur in a matter of seconds. Make sure trailers are not blocking exits or emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers, first-aid kits and sprinklers.

5. Pedestrian mishaps

Pedestrians are often victims of loading dock accidents caused by blind spots and obstructions. Only necessary personnel should be present during loading and unloading. All off-limits areas and pedestrian walkways should be well-marked with signage, lights and other highly visible indicators.

Improve Safety and Employee Morale with the Trailer Dolly

A focus on safety shows concern for employee welfare, which leads to improved morale and reduced turnover. Learn more about why the Trailer Dolly from DJ Products is the top solution for your warehouse. Use the handy online chat feature to have your questions answered by our cheerful Sales Engineers.