There are thousands of warehouses across the country, and Indiana is home to quite a few of them. The warehouses in the state have to adhere to the regulations and guidelines put forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), but the state also has regulations in place to keep employees safe while on the job. Here’s some your business needs to know so that you maintain a safe and secure work environment for your employees.
Emergency Exit Lighting
OSHA, and the state of Indiana, requires all warehouses to have emergency lighting in place. These lights must be installed along exit routes in the building. The exit routes must not be obstructed in any method and the lighting must be good enough for people with normal vision to see the exit path in front of them. OSHA requires that each exit area be clearly marked with an ‘Exit’ sign. According to OSHA, “Each exit route door must be free of decorations or signs that obscure the visibility of the exit route door.”
OSHA also states that “Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit must be marked “Not An Exit ” or similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use (e.g., closet).” Regulations in Indiana also state that if the travel path to the exit is not in view of the exit itself, an Exit sign with an arrow pointing in the direction of the exit must be in use.
Preventing Falls with Guardrails
OSHA and the state of Indiana require that warehouses have guardrails installed in areas where there is four feet or more of depth. The guardrails installed must be able to support at least 200 pounds.
Another way to protect workers from possible falls at work includes the installation of coverings over holes or openings. They should be installed using hinges or cleats. To make sure that these items are not removed from the premises, you should put a sign on them that lets employees know there is a fall daner if removed.
Proper Tagout System
All warehouses in the country, including those in Indiana, must employ proper tagout systems. A tagout system is used to warn employees of items or products in the warehouse that are damaged or not working properly. This makes sure that employees will not touch or try to use those items, which could harm them if used.
All items in the warehouse that are broken need to be tagged with a sign that says “Out of Service.” This will let employees know they should not use the product until it is repaired or replaced. There are three types of tags; danger, caution and warning. Danger is used when an object poses a major hazard. Caution is used when an object poses a minor hazard. Warning is used when an object poses a hazard in-between the danger and caution levels.
Keep these Indiana warehouse regulations in mind as you develop a workplace that’s safe and secure for all your employees. Assign certain employees to act as safety officers in each department and educate employees regularly about safety regs in Indiana, so you have eyes on the floor at all times.
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