A “Near Miss” Is…
The phrase “near-miss” or “close call” is common for those working in and around warehouses. OSHA would define a near miss as an incident where “a worker might have been injured if the circumstances had been slightly different.”
These incidents can occur due to unsafe conditions or an employee acting unsafely. Either way, OSHA and other safety experts expect businesses to monitor and document near misses. The hope is these documentations will help workers flag and address potential hazards.
However, all too often, warehouse workers celebrate near misses and the luck involved with them rather than acknowledge the danger associated with these incidents. This needs to change.
Warehouse management should prioritize the safety of their workforce before a near miss is even able to occur. By working to stay ahead of both accidents and near misses, warehouses can come at problems with a true “safety-first” mentality.
How to Prevent Near Misses
There are a few safety solutions a business can implement to get started with a safety-first mentality.
1. HIT-NOT
HIT-NOT is a proximity detection device that keeps operators and pedestrians safe while mobile equipment is in use. HIT-NOT’s use of low-frequency magnetic field technology allows it to identify potential dangers without maintaining a line of sight. This means HIT-NOT can read around corners, through walls, and other machinery or racks.
2. WheriTrack
The WheriTrack is a top-of-the-line GPS tracking device that focuses on keeping lone workers safe. The system can keep track of the location of lone workers and includes fall detection software. In conjunction with other safety implementations, this device will reduce the number of near misses for lone workers and minimize the impact of an accident by allowing for quick and easy alerts.
3. Industrial Imaging
Smart camera sensors, including 3D sensors for harsh environments, cover many safety elements, including line guidance, object recognition, surveillance, and distance monitoring. This type of system is a safe bet when trying to improve safety measurements.
4. Halo
Halo is a contact tracing system that addresses a different type of near-miss. These bands keep track of all workers who come within six feet of each other and remind workers to maintain a healthy distance from each other. By implementing Halo, warehouses can limit and reduce outbreaks of COVID or other viruses.
5. Bring in the Experts
One way to do that is to bring in safety solution experts like those at SynTech. Safety experts can enter into a warehouse and immediately identify areas that could use improvements. After an overview of the operations and business space, a custom safety solution can be created.
Whether you’re seeking a specific type of safety equipment or are looking to overhaul your safety plan, SynTech is here to help. Preventing accidents and near misses is important to us.
To get your customized safety solution today, get in touch with us.