In addition to purchasing a Warehouse Legal Liability policy, it is wise to establish safeguards in your facility to protect against losses. This
may include researching the crime rate in your area and inspecting neighboring businesses for hazards that may affect your facility; storing goods
on solid shelving; storing electronic equipment in a climate-controlled area; and screening employees thoroughly to avoid hiring a potential thief.
Protecting against liability can be tricky; let us guide you through the process. Contact GDI Insurance Agency, Inc. today!
The survival of your business is your livelihood, so it should be protected against the unthinkable setback - however big or small. For instance, a
fire could destroy your business's warehouse and the contents inside, or a burst frozen pipe could damage important documents and valuable papers.
Or, you could have trouble paying your employees during a loss because your funds are devoted to repairing damage.
If self-insuring is not an option to combat these risks of loss, it is wise to obtain Property Insurance. This coverage comes in many forms to suit
your specific needs. Before purchasing coverage, take a complete inventory of all your business property to determine how much you need to insure.
This important step assures you will have adequate coverage to continue your business in the event of a covered loss.
-
Buildings and other structures (leased or owned)
-
Furniture, equipment and supplies
-
Inventory
-
Money and securities
-
Records of accounts receivable
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Leasehold Improvements and betterments you made to the rented premise
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Machinery/Boiler
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Electronic data processing equipment (computers, etc.)
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Valued documents, books and papers
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Mobile property (construction equipment, etc.)
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Property in transit
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Cargo
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Satellite dishes
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Signs, fences and other outdoor property not directly attached to the building
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Intangible property (goodwill, trademarks, etc.)
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Business contingency for suppliers
-
Ordinary payroll
-
Extra expenses as a result of loss
Types of Property Insurance Policies
Basic Property Insurance covers losses due to fire or lightning, including the cost to remove property as a way to protect it from further damage.
Should you want to purchase more than basic coverage, you can buy a standard policy that provides coverage for extended perils, such as floods, windstorms, hail, earthquakes,
acts of terrorism, explosion, riots, smoke, civil commotions, aircraft and vehicles that damage your property. Beyond that, coverage for vandalism
and malicious mischief can also be included.
Are You Buying Enough?
One of the most important aspects of purchasing Property Insurance is making sure that you have bought enough coverage and are adequately
protected. A typical policy will provide the replacement cost value for your building and the actual cash value for your business property.
Replacement cost value is the amount that is necessary to replace or rebuild your building or repair damages with similar materials, without
considering depreciation. Actual cost value, on the other hand, is the value of your property when it is damaged or destroyed. This amount is
typically determined by subtracting the depreciation from the replacement cost value.
Most property insurance policies include a coinsurance clause, which requires you, the policyholder, to share the cost of covered services up to a
moderate percentage of the actual cash value of the property. This will allow you to receive full coverage for your losses. Should you fail to
insure your property to the required amount of property insurance, we will not be able to pay you 100 percent of the covered loss.
We understand that determining your business's value is critical, so we're here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our Property
Insurance and loss control solutions to protect your business.
This Coverage Insights is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should
contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice.
Lifting and Stretching: Avoiding Strains
Introduction
What is 'ergonomics' and how does it impact us? Ergonomics is the study of the relationship between people, their work and their workplace.
The primary goal of ergonomics is to help the body move in natural ways and reduce stressors that might cause damage.
Common Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are injuries and disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage and spinal discs.
The symptoms of MSDs can include a dull aching sensation, discomfort with specific movements, tenderness to the touch, a burning sensation, pain,
tingling, cramping or stiffness. Symptoms often appear gradually and may disappear during rest. The most common problems occur in a person's neck, low back, shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands.
Primary Risk Factors
When we are aware of motions or movements that might cause problems, we can take steps to avoid doing something that might develop into a MSD. The four primary risk factors for MSDs include:
-
Awkward postures
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Using excessive force
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Repetitive motions
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Contact stress
Obviously, all these risk factors are amplified by how we lift and how we move our bodies. If we have a good understanding of how to avoid
these risk factors, we can help avoid falling victim to MSDs.
Maintaining Flexibility
One of the contributing factors to strains is our bodies is moving in ways they are not ready to move or using muscle groups that haven't been 'warmed up' for work. There is real value in practicing
some basic stretching exercises to prepare our bodies for work.
Simple stretching exercises for our hands and wrists, back, and neck can help to avoid problems during the day
. Hands and wrists should be stretched so they are ready to move in typical ways required at work. Your neck can be stretched gently from side to
side and then from front to back. Your back can be stretched while sitting in a chair and bending so your chin gets close to your knees.
Lifting Techniques
How we lift and use our back will determine if we experience pain and troubles that we can avoid. Improper lifting will result in strains and pain. By following these lifting tips, you can avoid being hurt and having pain. No one can force you to lift the right way; you have to decide to do the right thing every time you lift.
First, when lifting, size up what is going to be lifted
and if it is too awkward, too big or too heavy, get some help. Too many times, people have lifted items that were too big and the results were
painful.
Second, always lift with your legs and never with your back
. Most of us still lift freestyle (lifting with our backs instead of our legs) because it is easier. Our leg muscles are designed to lift loads;
our backs are not set up that way. When lifting, don't bend at your waist; bend with your knees. Lifting with your waist will cause low back
injuries.
Third, when lifting, avoid lifting and twisting all in the same motion
. Your first goal is to get what you are lifting up and then, once your legs are straight, you can move your legs instead of twisting your waist
and lower back.
Rules of Good Lifting
If you follow these rules for lifting, you will reduce the possibility of injury:
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Size up the load before lifting-test by moving a corner or pushing the load.
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Bend the knees when lifting-let your legs do the work.
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Place feet close to the object and center yourself over the load.
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Lift straight up in a smooth motion.
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Do not twist or turn your body once the lift is made.
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Make sure there is a clear path-don't fall over something you can't see.
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Set the load down properly.
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Always push a load that is on a cart-never pull it.
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If it is a long object, get some help.
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Split the load into smaller loads if possible.
Twisting, Reaching, Sideways Bending, Unequal Lifting
How we lift is very important, but there are other factors that cause strains and they involve twisting and reaching. Any amount of twisting,
reaching or bending while lifting causes more stress on the back. Here are some points to consider:
-
Reaching upward: This usually causes the back to arch and increases the forces on the lower spine. It also puts stress on the upper
back, shoulders and arms.
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Forward reaches: Reaching beyond the length of your arm puts a lot of stress on your lower back.
-
Bending and twisting concerns: Bending sideways or twisting your trunk puts stress on your lower back and increases the possibility
of a lower back strain.
The possibility of causing a muscle strain increases when you don't move properly and you do a lot of reaching, twisting, sideways bending and
unequal lifting or carrying
.
Some Final Thoughts...
Lifting and over-reaching are some of the main causes of musculoskeletal disorders. Pausing for a moment to make sure that you are lifting properly and not over reaching will help to prevent strains. The safety and health
services available through the company can help you with any ergonomic questions or concerns that you may have.
Warehousing Safety Checklist
The fatal injury rate for the warehousing industry is higher than the national average for all other industries. Workers are in danger of being
injured because of using forklifts unsafely, stacking products improperly, failing to using personal protective equipment (PPE), failing to follow
lockout/tagout procedures, failing to comply with fire safety provisions and performing repetitive motions frequently.
HAZARD:
Docks
Injuries occur on docks when forklifts run off the dock, products fall on employees or equipment strikes employees.
Solutions:
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Drive forklifts slowly on docks and plates.
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Secure dock plates and check to see if the plate can safely support the load.
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Stay clear of dock edges and never back up a forklift to the dock's edge.
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Provide visual warnings for employees near dock edges.
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Do not allow employees to "dock jump."
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Ensure that ladders and stairs meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
HAZARD:
Forklifts
Approximately 100 workers are killed and 95,000 are injured annually while operating forklifts across all injuries. Forklift turnovers account for
a significant percentage of these fatalities.
Solutions:
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Train, evaluate and certify all operators to ensure that they can operate forklifts safely.
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Do not allow anyone under age 18 to operate a forklift.
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Properly maintain haulage equipment, including tires.
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Before using a forklift, examine it for hazardous conditions which would make it unsafe to operate.
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Follow safe procedures for picking up, putting down and stacking loads.
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Drive safely, never exceeding five miles per hour (mph) and slow down in congested areas or those with slippery surfaces.
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Ensure that the operator wears a seatbelt installed by the manufacturer.
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Never drive up to a person standing in front of a fixed object such as a wall or stacked materials.
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Prohibit stunt driving and horseplay.
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Do not handle loads heavier than the weight capacity of the forklift.
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Remove unsafe or defective trucks from service until the defect is properly repaired.
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Maintain sufficiently safe clearances for aisles and at loading docks or passages where forklifts are used.
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Ensure adequate ventilation either by opened doors/windows or using ventilation systems to provide enough fresh air to keep concentrations of
noxious gases from engine exhaust below acceptable limits.
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Provide covers and/or guardrails to protect workers from the hazards of open pits, tanks, vats and ditches.
-
Train employees on the hazards associated with the combustion byproducts of forklift operation, such as carbon monoxide.
HAZARD:
Conveyors
Workers can be injured when they are caught in pinch points or in the in-going nip points, are hit by falling products or develop musculoskeletal
disorders associated with awkward postures or repetitive motions.
Solutions:
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Inspect conveyors regularly.
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Ensure that pinch points are adequately guarded.
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Develop ways of locking out conveyors and train employees in these procedures.
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Provide proper lighting and working surfaces in the area surrounding the conveyor.
HAZARD:
Materials Storage
Improperly stored materials may fall and injure workers.
Solutions:
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Stack loads evenly and straight.
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Place heavier loads on lower or middle shelves.
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Remove one object at a time from shelving.
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Keep aisles and passageways clear and in good repair.
HAZARD:
Manual Lifting/Handling
Back injuries occur from improper lifting and overexertion.
-
Solutions:
-
Provide general ergonomics training and task-specific training.
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Minimize the need for lifting by using good design and engineering techniques.
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Lift properly and get a coworker to help if a product is too heavy.
HAZARD:
Hazard Communication
Chemical burns are possible if spills of hazardous materials occur.
Solutions:
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Maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each chemical used at your facility.
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Follow MSDS instructions for handling products.
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Train employees on the risks of each chemical being stored.
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Provide spill cleanup kits in any areas where chemicals are stored.
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Create a written spill cleanup plan.
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Train employees to clean up spills, protect themselves and properly dispose of used materials.
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Provide proper PPE and enforce its use.
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Store all chemicals safely and securely.
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Store chemicals away from forklift traffic areas.
HAZARD:
Charging Stations
Fires and explosion risks are possible unless proper guidelines are followed.
Solutions:
-
Prohibit smoking and open flames in and around charging stations.
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Provide adequate ventilation to disperse fumes from gassing batteries.
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Ensure that fire extinguishers are available and fully charged.
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Provide proper PPE (rubber gloves, eye protection, face protection, etc.).
-
Properly position forklifts and apply the brakes before attempting to change or charge batteries; follow required procedures when refueling gas
or propane fueled forklifts.
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Provide conveyors, overhead hoists or equivalent materials handling equipment for servicing batteries.
-
Provide an eye-washing station and safety shower facilities for employees exposed to battery acids.
HAZARD:
Poor Ergonomics
Improper lifting, repetitive motions or poor design of operations can lead to musculoskeletal disorders in workers.
Solutions:
-
Use powered equipment instead of requiring a manual lift of heavy materials, if possible.
-
Reduce lifts from shoulder height and from floor height by repositioning the shelf or bin.
-
Ensure overhead lighting is adequate for the task at hand.
-
Provide employees with task-oriented ergonomic training.
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Use your legs and keep your back in a natural position while lifting.
-
Test the load to estimate its weight, size, bulk and to determine the proper lifting method.
-
Ask for assistance with loads exceeding the maximum weight a person should lift safely without help.
-
Do not twist while carrying a load; shift your feet and take small steps in the direction that you want to turn.
-
Keep floors clean and free of slip and trip hazards.
Source: OSHA
Material Handling
Moving bulky items on the job? Then, you need to keep safety in mind. Consider these material handling recommendations to avoid injuries as you
work.
The first thing to remember…the best way to handle boxes or cartons is to grasp the far side top and bottom corners and then draw a corner
between your legs. Long pieces of pipe, bar stock or lumber should be carried over a padded shoulder with the front-end held high to avoid hitting
other employees. Also, exercise special caution when rounding corners.
It is also very important to use the right tool for the job. With that said, do not attempt to use your fingers as a pry, a wrench for a hammer or
a screwdriver for a chisel.
Beyond these recommendations, here are some other precautions you should consider to protect yourself while handling materials on the job:
-
Wear work gloves to protect your hands during tasks. Gloves can prevent cuts and scratches, and many types also provide a better grip. Also,
most work gloves are ventilated for your comfort, so there is no good excuse not to wear them when the occasion calls for it.
-
Conserve space in your work area, but do not pile items too close to a wall or column. Instead, provide proper clearance at the top and on all
sides of piles is necessary for safety. When materials are piled, they should be in stacks that will stand steady. Sometimes this means the
materials must be criss-crossed or interwoven with corrugated boards. If objects roll while stacked, they should be chocked to prevent serious injuries.
-
Do not be afraid of putting the cleaning crew out of a job by picking up things that you drop on the floor. Tripping and slipping hazards
could put both you, and the cleaners, out of work for a long time.
-
Before lifting, make sure there are no obstructions or slippery spots on the route you intend to travel. Then, use your legs, not your back,
to lifting loads properly. Shift your feet rather than twist your body when turning.
-
Avoid taking shortcuts on the job to save time. Skinned knuckles or pinched fingers are instant reminders that something was done incorrectly
if you do not take the time to do it right.
Learn from Near Accidents
When you're driving the speed limit down the highway and another car pulls out in front of you, it's necessary to hit the brakes or execute a quick
maneuver to avoid an accident.
Chances are that you'll be pretty hot under the collar over the other driver's action, and you'll run your hand over your forehead to remove the
perspiration.
But if you're smart, you won't let anger overpower your safe driving habits, and you'll make a mental note that you should be more alert and watch
for cars approaching the highway from side roads. This action could save your life next time.
Close calls or near accidents on the job should also be converted into safety precautions. A near accident is an indication that something is
wrong. It's a warning that a machine isn't operating correctly, materials aren't stacked properly, or someone has done something unsafe.
For example, when you're driving and you notice a red light glowing on the dashboard, you know that it's a warning that your engine is overheating
and you shouldn't ignore it. Or when you get a headache you know your body is warning you that there is trouble in the body, and you shouldn't
ignore that warning either. Below are some typical accidents that could have been avoided if their warning call had not been ignored.
-
A shop employee stumbles over a two-by-four and fractures an ankle.
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A janitor trips over a loose floor tile and falls against a metal guard rail.
-
A metal file cabinet lands on a secretary after she slips on some trash and grabs it in an attempt to break her fall.
-
A machine operator is injured when a hi-lo struck the machine being operated.
The proper handling of near accidents could have prevented the real thing from happening in the cases mentioned above. The two-by-four in the aisle
and loose tile or trash on the floor probably caused other employees to step aside to avoid tripping or even caused them to stumble. And how many
near misses did the hi-lo operator have with the machine? Chances are there were several. However, in all of these cases, no one paid any attention
to the warnings. Nothing was done to correct the situations and accidents resulted.
It's not hard to recall accidents that you've had. You may still have the pains or scars to remind you. If you are burned at an early age, you
don't need a slap on the wrist to remind you to be cautious from that point on. But as we've noted, a near-accident is often forgotten without any
benefits resulting from the experience.
How can you turn a close call into a contribution to safety? Below are two ways that you may already be using.
-
Think safety and become concerned over near-accidents.
-
Correct the situation and remove the hazard that caused the near-accident. If you can't handle it routinely, then report it to your supervisor.
Safety awareness is always important. It's a case of preparing yourself mentally to act in a safe manner and to recognize a close call as a
warning. So when a stack of books tips over or the handle on a tool snaps, see the warning and do something about it!