Ever wary of the need to keep warehouse workers safe, the Health and Safety Executive has produced a comprehensive guide, Warehousing and storage: A guide to health and safety HSG76, available to buy in hard copy, or to download for free. Though in parts specific to specialist sites (eg temperature-controlled or dangerous substance storage) the majority of the book’s focus applies right across the sector regardless of facility or size. Many special attention topics, such as manual handling, musculoskeletal awareness, mechanical handling, site transport and working at height plus more, are covered in detail but the broader emphasis is on responsible warehouse practices, general prevention of avoidable risks and hazards and attendant information of accident and emergency procedures.
This article was first published in the March 1st 2026 issue of Warehouse & Logistics News, subscribe to the magazine by clicking here.
Hörmann UK has introduced its Automatic Wheel-Blocking system (AWB), delivering a new benchmark in loading bay safety for warehouse and logistics operations. Engineered to eliminate the risks associated with premature vehicle departure and ‘vehicle creep’ during loading and unloading, the AWB automatically detects a reversing vehicle and securely blocks the rear wheel, preventing any unintended movement and significantly reducing the potential for human error. One of the most versatile automated vehicle restraint systems on the market, the Hörmann AWB is suitable for all vehicle types, from small delivery vans through to large articulated lorries.
All equipment (e.g., trolleys, sack trucks and hand-operated pallet trucks) should be carefully and regularly maintained, says the British Red Cross. Specialised equipment must only be used by trained, authorised employees (some equipment may require load testing to ensure they are fit to use). Access in areas where forklift trucks are used should be restricted to prevent people being hit during loading and unloading activities. If you have a warehouse that is either storing or processing products, it’s crucial that dirt or dust in the warehouse is removed before it can build up. This is because dust and dirt have the potential to be transferred from surfaces within the warehouse to the products themselves. It’s important to clean up all shelves, floors, and other surfaces within the warehouse for this reason, including those which require cleaning at height, suggests Samsic.
To honour proper warehouse health and safety compliance, your first priority should be to stop the floor from being contaminated in the first place by maintaining equipment correctly, advises iHasco. Should the floor become contaminated, make sure it is dealt with immediately, don’t let it become a hazard for someone else. You could also look at fitting slip-resistant flooring; this doesn’t mean ripping out your old floor – you can simply buy rolls of slip-resistant flooring that sit on top of the current flooring.
The surge in e-commerce and demand for rapid delivery has only intensified the pressure on the logistics industry, making it more important than ever for the highest standards of health and safety to be in place in the warehouse.
George Simpson
Features Editor
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