2017, October

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to systems of internet connected devices, and IoT equipment can contribute to the health and safety of workers.

Devices containing sensors can monitor many aspects of the workplace, including temperature, humidity, the density of people moving in areas, carbon monoxide monitoring and detecting dangerous levels of harmful gases. When many devices collect and share data, this can then be used to spot potential hazardous areas in the workspace.

The information...

Awareness of disability issues is not just about meeting the needs of disabled people; it also involves the health and safety of all employees.

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) makes it compulsory for all workplace buildings to have access for disabled people.

If a feature of a building such as steps leading to a doorway prevent access to disabled persons, then they should either be removed or equipment such as ramps installed to provide access. Alternatively, an alternate route needs ...

Despite the rise of automation in large warehouses such as those owned by e-retail giant Amazon, most small to medium warehouses still rely on manual handling. It is important to protect workers from the health and safety risks associated with this task.

Any operation that involves pushing, pulling, lowering and lifting can be a hazard. It is vital that all staff operating manual handling equipment, such as sack trucks and pallet trucks, receive adequate training in their safe use.

It is...

In an unusual move, a company in Lenexa, Kansas has relocated its warehouse to an underground cave in a former limestone mine.

The company says that there are several advantages to this location. The cave is unaffected by weather and maintains a constant 68°F temperature. This is important as the company deals in vending machines, and a fleet of vans is used to carry food products that fill up the machines. On cold nights, if the vans were left outside, the contents could freeze and spoil. Par...

Manual handling usually forms some part of almost any job, but there are some key health and safety points that need addressing.

While Amazon and other large retailers have massive warehouses that use robots to replace most of their manual handling processes, most smaller warehouses do not have the budget to employ robots. Indeed, many do not even have forklift trucks and must rely on manual handling to store and pick items from the warehouse.

Manual handling is defined as any form of handlin...