AMS Fulfillment has been publishing a weekly safety blog covering our efforts to keep employees safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. For us, and for all work environments considered essential, COVID safety has been seen as having primary importance since early in 2020. But that doesn’t mean that other areas of warehouse safety can be neglected. In this blog we’ll talk about how to give equal attention to warehouse safety in general.
When our safety teams take their OSHA walk around the warehouse they look at the following areas for any violations or neglect: Forklift Charging Areas, Cardboard Balers, Dock Areas and Doors, Racking Systems, Shipping Areas, Electrical Drops and Extension Cords, Egress, Fire Extinguishers, Fire Risers, Housekeeping, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Broken and Good Pallets.
OSHA refers to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This government entity sets standards to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women. They not only set and enforce standards, they provide training, outreach, education and assistance.
We spoke to Matthew Warholy, Security & Safety Supervisor for AMS, about the most recent walk (see photos):
“We pride ourselves on our safety record, our OSHA compliance and stellar record of below average lost time injuries. When Eric Wiseman, Mark Fese and I conduct the monthly OSHA walks, we not only point out potential safety hazards, but we are empowering each attendee to be our safety advocates in the warehouses. We follow the mantra here at AMS… ‘If You See Something, Say Something’. This gives each employee the encouragement to point out a safety or ergonomic issue with no fear of reprimand.
“They can point it out to me as I walk each warehouse, or they can tell a supervisor or manager and even AMS’ Chief Workforce Development Officer, Ken Wiseman. The best part is that they will never get reprimanded for pointing out a safety issue. I personally, came from an environment where I pointed out a potentially deadly safety violation and was let go from that company because I spoke up. They didn’t want anyone making waves. Ken encourages you to speak up no matter what your role is here at AMS.
“Because of Ken starting these monthly OSHA tours, we now have a large number of employees as our own personal safety advocates and it keeps growing. We can’t be successful without their help. Another mantra for Ken is, ‘Our Safety Record Is No Accident’. It’s the truth.”
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