Maintaining high standards of health and safety in the warehouse is extremely important, not just to meet legal obligations, but to also protect staff and reduce downtime. From protective clothing to clear signage, warehouse safety mainly depends on the products you use in your environment.

In this blog, we take a closer look at why warehouse safety is important, along with highlighting some key safety equipment to implement in your workplace. We’ll also share some practical ways to improve overall warehouse health and safety to ensure a safe and efficient environment.

Why is warehouse safety so important?

Warehouses are known for being high-risk environments - staff are on their feet for a long time, they work around moving machinery, handle heavy or hazardous goods, and navigate in loud areas. Without the right precautions in place, it’s easy for accidents to happen, whether it’s a slip on a wet floor, a heavy item dropped on someone’s foot, or cuts from sharp edges during the packaging process.

Proper warehouse safety practices are not only required under UK law, including the Health and Safety at Work Act etc. 1974, but they also help to:

• Reduce injury rates and sick days

• Boost employee morale and confidence

• Improve efficiency and accuracy

• Avoid costly insurance claims or penalties

• Creating a professional, well-organised working environment

Essentially, the foundation of any safe warehouse is a clear understanding of the risks and the right products that help to reduce them.

A checklist for health and safety in the warehouse

In order to maintain a safe environment, warehouses must be equipped with the appropriate tools. Below we share our checklist of the essential equipment every business should have in their warehouse.

Warehouse PPE

Warehouse PPE (personal protective equipment) protects workers from common risks like slips, cuts, and exposure to dangerous chemicals for example. Employers are legally obligated to provide suitable PPE for relevant tasks and ensure it’s in good condition. Some common types of warehouse PPE includes:

• Protective gloves

• Safety shoes

• Hi-vis clothing

• Eye and face protection

• Back supports or knee pads for manual work

At Plus Packaging, our range of PPE is selected to meet different working environments, whether you’re operating in ambient storage, cold chain, or mixed-use spaces. Fit, comfort, and durability should be key because if it isn’t, it’s of little use.

Hi-vis and body protection

In busy environments with vehicle traffic, like forklifts, hi-vis clothing ensures that workers are easily seen. From vests and jackets to trousers and coveralls, hi-vis garments are crucial for warehouse safety, especially in dimly lit warehouses or those that have an outdoor loading zone.

As well as that, when layered properly, hi-vis clothing can also keep staff members warm and protect them from minor scrapes or abrasion during physical tasks.

All of our hi-vis products here at Plus Packaging meet EN ISO 20471 standards and are available in styles suited to different roles and weather conditions, from lightweight vests to insulated jackets.

Protective footwear

Foot injuries are among the most common warehouse accidents and are often caused by items being dropped, pallet impacts, and slips on uneven surfaces. That’s why protective footwear is a must for warehouse workers. Safety boots with steel toe-caps, anti-slip soles, and durable materials are designed to absorb impact and reduce strain across long shifts.

We supply a variety of styles, including steel toe-caps boots, safety wellies, and shock-absorbing trainers, that aim to improve comfort, reduce fatigue, and significantly lower injury risk.

Safety gloves

Whether it’s packing, lifting, or handling rough or sharp objects, warehouse workers rely heavily on their hands. Safety gloves protect against abrasions, cuts, and contamination. However, different gloves suit different tasks, for example:

• Cut-resistant gloves for handling boxes, metal, or glass

• Thermal gloves for working in chilled storage

• Grip gloves for improved handling of slippery or awkward loads

• Disposable gloves for hygiene when handling sensitive items

It’s important to choose gloves that strike the right balance between protection and dexterity. Ill-fitting or overly bulky gloves can actually reduce safety by impairing movement and grip. At Plus Packaging, we stock a huge range of gloves suitable for the varied demands of warehouse environments. 

Warning and safety signage

Beyond protective clothing, clear, visible signage is a vital part of any warehouse health and safety strategy. With marked zones, hazard warnings, and emergency information, it helps staff and visitors navigate your space safely. You should ensure your signage is consistent, durable, and compliant with the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations.

Some key areas you should have signage for include:

• Forklift or vehicle zones

• PPE-required areas

• Emergency exits and assembly points

• Fire extinguishers and first aid kits

• Spill or wet floor alerts

Good signage doesn’t just meet legal requirements, it reinforces a safety-first culture across your team. We offer a wide range of safety signage for these areas and more, helping your employees navigate your area safely and understand where potential risks exist.

Our tips for implementing warehouse safety

Having the right equipment is only effective when it's combined with the right approach, meaning safety should also be built into your processes and training. To ensure health and safety in the warehouse is maintained over time, it’s important to:

• Conduct regular risk assessments - this will help you identify new hazards as your operations evolve

• Train staff on proper PPE use - this ensures all your workers know how and when to use protective equipment

• Inspect equipment regularly - be sure to check things like protective clothing such as boots, gloves, and hi-vis clothing are still fit for purpose

• Encourage a safety-first culture - this will empower employees to report risks and take responsibility for their environment

• Keep signage clear and up-to-date - if your layout or procedures change, you should ensure your signage reflects the current setup

Small, consistent changes like these often make the biggest difference when it comes to improving warehouse safety. 

Speak to us for your warehouse health and safety

At Plus Packaging, we’re committed to helping you create a safer working environment. Our extensive range of health and safety equipment and warehouse PPE supports every part of your safety strategy, whether you’re setting up a new facility or improving an existing one.

If you’re looking to stock up on your safety essentials, or you’d like expert advice on how you can improve health and safety in the warehouse, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today. We’re on hand to provide tailored guidance on our health and safety product range, as well as our other packaging solutions.

FAQs around health and safety in the warehouse

What PPE is required for warehouse staff?

Warehouse staff typically require a range of PPE depending on their tasks. This may include safety footwear with steel toe-caps, high-visibility clothing, safety gloves, and in some cases eye or face protection. The specific PPE needed should be based on a risk assessment of your environment and job roles.

How do I know if my warehouse needs new safety signage?

If your current signage is worn, outdated, unclear, or doesn’t reflect recent changes in layout or safety protocols, it’s time for an update. Effective signage is crucial for directing staff, warning of hazards, and meeting legal requirements under health and safety regulations.

How often should PPE be checked or replaced?

Warehouse PPE should be inspected regularly and replaced if it shows signs of damage or wear. Gloves and footwear, in particular, wear out over time and may lose their protective qualities if not replaced as needed.