Ensuring worker safety in warehouse operations during COVID-19
The COVID-19 outbreak has caused a complete shutdown of all major services, excluding essential ones. The Indian government, as well as state governments, have made clear exemptions under essential services, due to which, a running warehouse is needed 24x7 that also includes the use of material handling equipment like a diesel forklift.
The following are the main essential services granted permission to run uninterrupted;
1. Groceries
2. Bakery and dairy items
3. Fruits & vegetables
4. Agricultural machinery (including its supply chain)
5. Medical supplies
As these services run, they require full-fledged manpower in warehouses to do various material handling tasks like dispatch operations, supervising inventory and running the material handling equipment, like an electric forklift or reach truck. This puts them at the risk of catching the virus and possibly infecting hundreds of people in the entire supply chain.
Creating a safe working environment
Creating a safe working environment requires a plan that is rooted in every facet of the material handling operations; from floor operations to machine operations like driving a forklift or an electric stacker. To ensure maximum safety of everyone present in the warehouse and the entire supply chain, we have created a list of guidelines to follow. Some of them are highly recommended by major forklift manufacturers in India.
Safety guidelines for workers during COVID-19
On-site
1. Compulsory masks and gloves for all handling goods and equipment
2. Avoid group formations or discussions
3. For food breaks, designate special areas for every worker
4. Keep sanitizer dispensers at convenient locations
5. Implement cleaning of hand tools and toolkits before usage
6. Implement cleaning vehicles like order picker or electric tow trucks
7. Mandatory temperature checks before entry
Linde India is a global leader in material handling equipment. Linde offers a wide range of equipment like order picker, electric reach trucks and forklifts, along with a comprehensive network of spare parts and after-sales service units. If you are looking material handling equipment dealers or prices in India, you should check out our website- www.lindemhe.com
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