Given the rate of injury of warehouse workers, at 4.8 per 100 workers, is higher than the average rate of 2.7 per 100 among other private industries, OSHA is trying to help employers do a better job.
In August of this year, the agency launched a five-year regional initiative in three Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia to protect workers and reduce injuries and illnesses in the warehousing, storage and distribution yards industries.
And now in September 2022 OSHA has created an alliance with the following organizations:
- OSHA Allentown area office
- Wage and Hour Division Philadelphia and Wilkes-Barre district offices
- Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Schnecksville
- Pennsylvania OSHA Consultation Program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana
The alliance seeks to provide employers in the warehouse and material logistics industries and the public at-large with information, guidance and access to training resources to help reduce and prevent workers' exposure to safety and health hazards. Typical industry hazards include overexertion, contact with objects and falls from elevation. The alliance also addresses laws enforced by the Department of Labor including employment of temporary workers and seeks to help industry workers understand their rights and their employer's responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
"With the rapid growth of e-commerce, the warehousing industry has expanded significantly. We look forward to partnering with our alliance members to provide information, resources and training to reduce and prevent the hazardous conditions that warehousing and storage workers continuously face every day," said OSHA Area Director Jean Kulp, in Allentown, Pa., in a statement.
