Protecting Your Resources:
Safety Management in the Loading/Unloading Zone
Workplace Injuries
As companies around the world continue to feel the need
to work faster and more efficient, there is one common
aspect they all must keep in mind: the safety of their
workforce.
According to research from the Colorado State University
Health & Safety Consultation Program nearly 50 workers
are injured every minute of the work week. That translates
to 120,000 per week or over 6.2 million per year.
Although most companies go through rigorous training
efforts regarding how to lift, move and maneuver heavy
products and parcels, employees work in fast pace
mode and continue to cause injuries to their back, arms,
shoulders, hands and elbows. There have even been
cases of lifting heavy items in the correct, ergonomic
manner causing knee and joint strain.
The question that remains in focus is: how
can we prevent these injuries and what
mechanisms can we create to significantly
reduce injuries to our personnel?
A quick online search revealed several attorneys
recruiting potential clients that have suffered from
warehouse injuries. As workplace injury costs skyrocket
and legal help becomes more easily accessible, it is
imperative to be knowledgeable and prepared for
accidents in your workplace. There are several types
of injuries that can take place in the warehouse as
evidenced by the Delius Law Firm’s “Warehouse Injury
and Loading Dock Accident” page:
“Warehouse employees can…hurt themselves
through overexertion, repetitive stress, or the
degenerative effects of heavy lifting over a
long period of time.”
Modern Material Handling Magazine also evidenced this
in an article entitled “Ergonomic Handling Basics” by Bob
Trebilcock in January 2007:
“Some jobs, like unloading parts from a
container, require an employee to bend,
twist and reach. These jobs can be
improved ergonomically with devices that
adjust…height and…angle…for easier
access.”
There are many examples of various injuries and health
hazards that can take place in the loading/unloading
zone. According to the OSHA “Warehouse Safety Pocket
Guide,” a few of these hazards/injuries include:
• 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.
Protecting Your Resources:
Safety Management in the Loading/Unloading Zone
are up from $4.7 billion in 2004), and repetitive motion
claims totaled $2.1 billion (injuries due to repeated stress
or strain are down from $2.5 billion in 2004). These
claims, often found in the loading/unloading zone,
equal $19.6 billion (down from $20.8 billion in 2004).
That equates to 40.7% of the top ten claims (totaling
$48.3 billion).
• Back injuries may occur from improper lifting or
overexertion.
When working in the loading/unloading zone, it is
important to remember to be alert and work safely
around equipment. Each piece should have its own
safe work procedures and precautions. The OSHA
“Warehouse Safety Pocket Guide” suggests precautions
when working around the different hazardous, and
potentially injury causing, loading/unloading zone:
• Inspect conveyors regularly;
• Improper lifting, repetitive motion or poor design of
• Ensure that pinch points are adequately guarded;
operations can lead to musculoskeletal disorders in
workers.
• Develop ways of locking out conveyors and train
employees in these procedures;
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety
states that due to the nature of the distribution and
warehousing industries, “there are many situations where
physical demands involve force, repetition, awkward
postures and prolonged activities.” As safety regulations
become more stringent and the costs associated with
accidents rise, preventing harm to the work force must
become management’s top priority.
• Provide proper lighting and working surfaces in the
While working at a conveyor or belt, repetitive motions,
reaching, and lifting may be a concern. Safety for the
worker is a high priority, as movements are done quickly
and tasks are performed for long periods of time. Many
studies have been done regarding workplace injuries,
specifically repetitive motion injuries.
• Lift properly and get a coworker to help if a product
According to the 2007 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety
Index, there were multiple causes of workplace injury
claims in 2005. Overexertion claims totaled $12.7
billion (injuries caused from excessive lifting, pushing,
pulling holding or throwing are down from $13.6 billion
in 2004), bodily reaction claims totaled $4.8 billion
(injuries caused from slipping or tripping without falling
area surrounding the conveyor.
• Provide general ergonomic and task-specific training;
• Test the load to be lifted to estimate its weight, size
and bulk, and to determine the proper lifting method;
• Minimize the need for lifting by using good design
and engineering techniques;
is too heavy;
• If possible, use powered equipment instead of
requiring a manual lift for heavy materials;
• Reduce lifts from shoulder height and from floor
height by repositioning the shelf or bin;
• Don’t twist while carrying a load, but shift your feet
and take small steps in the direction you want to turn;
• Keep floors clean and free of slip and trip hazards;
• Create a Hazards Communication Plan.
Protecting Your Resources:
Safety Management in the Loading/Unloading Zone
While it is impossible to create an entirely safe
environment for your workers, there are many things you
can do to help prevent injuries. With the suggestions
provided above, you can create the safest environment
possible with training, precautions, awareness and the
correct equipment in your facility.
• “Warehouse Safety Pocket Guide.” OSHA. 27
The Bottom line
• “Firefighter.” Canadian Centre for Occupational Health
Safety in the workplace and protecting the workforce
is the highest priority. At Caljan Rite-Hite, we primarily
manufacture products dealing with the loading and
unloading zone of the warehouse. This area is where
most warehouse work injuries take place, particularly if
trailers are loaded and unloaded manually. Repetitive
movements of placing parcels in a trailer and attempting
to stack them in a manner that will get the most cube has
become an ongoing issue for companies. It’s a fact that
time and space equal money. What can we do to get
the most utilized cube out of a trailer while doing it in the
most efficient and safest manner possible?
We believe our equipment will help in preventing
ongoing injury issues, and we continue to manufacture
our equipment providing the utmost in safety features.
We understand that there is a person at the other side of
our product line and we have a responsibility to provide
a product that is safe and efficient. It’s the responsibility
of all industries to continue the effort in making the
workplace as safe as possible.
Resources
• Smith, Lee. “Do You Know How Much Accidents Are
Really Cutting Your Business?” Colorado State University
Health & Safety Consultation Program, 1996.
• Delius, Scott. Warehouse Injury and Loading Dock
Accident. Delius Law Firm, P.C. 31 July 2008. http://
www.deliuslaw.com/CM/WorkersCompensation/
Warehouses-Loading-Docks.asp
• Trebilcock, Bob. “Ergonomic Handling Basics.” Modern
Material Handling 1 Jan. 2007. 4 Feb. 2008 http://
www.mmh.com/article/CA6403371.html
Jan 2005. 31 July 2008. http://www.osha.gov/
Publications/warehousing.html
• “OSHA Ergonomics eTool: Solutions for Electrical
Contractors.” OSHA. 7 Feb. 2008. http://www.osha.
gov/SLTC/etools/electricalcontractors/glossary_all.html
& Safety. 32 Mar. 2003. 31 July 2008. http://www.
ccohs.ca/oshanswers/occup_workplace/firefighter.html
• Liberty Mutual. 2006 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety
Index. Boston: Liberty Mutual, 2007.
• Liberty Mutual. 2007 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety
Index. Boston: Liberty Mutual, 2008.
Protecting Your Resources:
Safety Management in the Loading/Unloading Zone
About The Author
About Caljan Rite-Hite
Caljan Rite-Hite has been a
market leader in the design,
manufacturing and installation of
loading/unloading solutions in
the materials handling industry
for over 40 years. The Caljan
Rite-Hite product line is comprised
of innovative solutions that
include telescopic belt and roller
conveyors, all produced with
the highest standards in product
safety, efficiency, and customer
satisfaction.
Tina Hogel joined the Caljan Rite-Hite team June 2008. She is
responsible for developing the Manufacturer and Integrator relationships
US market. Currently, she is heading the Midwest Regional Office in
Cincinnati, Ohio.
With almost 14 years of experience in the automated material handling
industry, her strengths are in high speed distribution utilizing large
automated conveyor and sortation systems. She is an expert in building
and maintaining customer relationships throughout the material handling
industry.
For More Information Please
Contact:
Amanda Rhoads LaGuardia
Marketing Coordinator
arhoads@caljanritehiteus.com
Toll Free: 800-338-1750
Direct: 720-984-3355
Tina has earned her MBA from Rochville University. She lives in the
Cincinnati, OH area where she is an avid girls’ softball coach and fan.
www.caljanritehiteus.com
USA
3600 E. 45th Avenue
Denver, CO 80216
Tel. (800) 338 1751
Tel. (303) 321 3600
Fax (303) 321 6767
Denmark
Ved Milepaelen 6-8
DK-8361 HasselagerAarhus, Denmark
Tel. +45 87 38 78 00
Fax +45 87 38 78 01
Germany
Germany
Industriestraße 7
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Tel. +49 (0) 6145 9349-0
Fax +49 (0) 6145 9349 30
UK
Moorbridge Road
Bingham Industrial Estate
Bingham, Nottingham NG13 8GG
Tel. +44 (0) 1949 838 850
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France
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ZAC du Fossé Pâté
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Fax +33 1 30 23 05 69
Benelux
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7391 AM Twello
The Netherlands
Tel. +31 (571) 270 444
Fax +31 (571) 270 555
WP0001_USA – 08/2008 – © Caljan Rite-Hite
Tina Hogel
Account Manager - Midwest Regional Office
Caljan Rite-Hite