Safe as warehouses

Usdaw has produced a new guide for safety reps in warehouses. ‘Distributing Safety’ is a set of short checklists based on the recent HSE publication ‘Warehousing and Storage – A Guide to Health and Safety’ (HSG76).

The guidance was launched at Usdaw’s Warehousing Conference in Warrington at the weekend.

According to the HSE, 10,000 work related accidents in storage, warehousing and road haulage were reported to the HSE in 2005/6. Over 1,700 of these accidents were classified as major injuries such as fractures and amputations. The main causes of deaths are being run over by workplace vehicles and falls from height.

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary, commented:

“Over 20,000 of our members work in distribution in warehouses handling large volumes of goods. Employers have a duty to make sure they can work safely in what can be a very dangerous environment, which is why we have produced up to date guidance to assist them.

“The union worked closely with HSE and employers on the production of HSG76. This guide will allow Usdaw safety reps to ensure that the standards agreed by the industry are being met in their warehouse.

‘Distributing Safety’ contains guidance on slips and trips, manual handling, vehicle movements, lift trucks, falls from height, working in chillers and freezers, storage systems and welfare.

More information can be found in our Health and Safety section and by visiting www.hse.gov.uk/warehousing/index.htm.

Notes to Editors:

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw’s Media Officer, Cherry Hamilton, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail cherry.hamilton@usdaw.org.uk
• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fourth biggest trade union, with over 361,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.
• Subscribe/unsubscribe to Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service at: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/site/email.html

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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