We often talk about safety, as AMS puts a very high priority on keeping our warehouses and workplaces safe. June is National Safety Month, and the logistics industry is one in which safety practices really matter, so we will cover safety at AMS and safety in general, within the industry.
At AMS we do extensive OSHA-based safety training for new employees, we do monthly safety walks in English and Spanish, we have a very welcoming “see something, say something” policy, asking our employees to tell or show any of their safety concerns to their supervisor. We do everything we can and then some, as #1 we truly do value our employees as persons, and #2 we don’t want anyone getting hurt on our premises – period.
How could people get hurt? There is moving equipment in warehouses, there are moving vehicles, there are heavy items to be lifted and moved and much more.
Types of Injuries
There are many potential hazards that can be encountered in the handling and transportation of goods, and workers can be injured or even killed if safety standards are not followed. Health and safety in logistics is vitally important in that it protects workers from accidents and injuries and it reduces the risk of damage to goods. Here below is internal safety information provided to us by Samantha Hicks, AMS’ ESG Program Manager.
#1 – Slips, trips, and falls: Work areas should be well-lit and free of tripping hazards. Floors should be kept clean and dry. Workers should wear appropriate footwear.
#2 – Manual handling injuries: Workers should be properly trained on safe lifting techniques. Loads should not be too heavy or awkward for one person to handle. Mechanical lifting equipment should be used when appropriate.
#3 – Vehicle accidents: Vehicles should be properly maintained and inspected on a regular basis. Drivers should be properly trained and licensed. Drivers should be given adequate breaks and should not be allowed to drive if they are tired.
#4 – Exposure to hazardous materials: Workers should be properly trained on the safe handling of hazardous materials. Workers should be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
#5 – Working in extreme environments: Workers should be properly trained on how to work safely in extreme environments, such as hot or cold weather. Workers should be provided with appropriate PPE.
Lost Time Injuries
A company’s success or failure in protecting the health and safety of employees is measured through “Lost Time Injury” statistics. Before we offer the following quote, allow us to proudly mention that our AMS lost time injury rate is 23% lower than the industry average.
“According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the warehousing and storage industry’s injury rate of 4.8 per 100 workers in 2020 was higher than the U.S. average of 2.7 per 100 rate among all private industries. In 2021, the rate was 5.5 per 100 employees, more than double the rate across all industries. According to Fast Company, the injury rate for non-Amazon warehouses in 2023 was 3.8 cases per 100 workers, while Amazon’s warehouse injury rate was 6.5 cases per 100 workers.”
As we mentioned, AMS does OSHA-based safety walks with employees monthly. The goal of these walks/inspections is to listen, and look, and develop a comprehensive list of hazards, prioritizing them for control. We know that no single person is capable of identifying all hazards or determining appropriate controls, and we need the participation and the “eyes” of our employees. When you develop relationships and build trust with employees, the chances of success in preventing injuries, illnesses, and fatalities will increase.
National Safety Month
The CDC offers helpful information with regard to safety month as follows: “Each June, we bring a little extra attention to safety issues by highlighting National Safety Month. For each week of the month, the National Safety Council (NSC) identifies a theme to focus on. This blog highlights select research and prevention efforts from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and NSC in this year’s focus areas of safety engagement; roadway safety; risk reduction; and slips, trips and falls.”
Their blog is very informative and we encourage readers interested in safety and health to visit the CDC [LINK] and read some of their linked documents.
As we know at AMS, both employers and employees must be engaged in safety. Together we develop policies and procedures to identify, monitor, mitigate, and eliminate work-related hazards. There are tried and true injury prevention approaches that we utilize, like hazard recognition, job safety analysis and risk assessment. These are crucial to curbing workplace injuries and deaths.
One more thing the CDC mentions that AMS is attentive to is addressing psychological safety. Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), covers several initiatives shaping modern safety excellence, including diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Samantha had this to say about the importance of psychological safety:
“When employees feel psychologically safe, they are more likely to raise safety concerns, report incidents, and actively engage in safety-related discussions. Building a safety culture is instrumental in fostering a comprehensive well-being environment within AMS.”
AMS celebrates National Safety Month, and as we cover it in this blog, we offer sincere appreciation to our employees. We look forward to and work toward an environment where there is no lost time injury, just healthy, safe and satisfied employees, dedicated to serving our clients as only they can.
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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to putting People and Planet before profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.
