Seasonal warehouse workers target for training

A leading provider of materials handling training has advised companies that employ additional, temporary staff in their warehouses at Christmas to ensure that all new workers are trained to a high standard to reduce the risk of accidents.

 

Mentor FLT Training warns that the sudden influx of new staff during the festive season can increase the risk of accidents significantly. This is because new employees are unfamiliar with each other and the company’s practices and have varying levels of knowledge and experience.  

 

The training provider is urging companies to make seasonal arrangements early so that they can secure the services of the best staff. Mentor argues that training temporary staff to a high standard is essential.

 

“Many companies employ additional temporary staff to cope with the Christmas rush in their warehouses, and statistics show that this can lead to a surge in accidents,” said Mentor’s technical manager Andy Cartwright.

 

He added that companies had a strict legal and moral obligation to keep staff safe — whether they were temporary or permanent — and to ensure that they weren’t a danger to each other.

 

“While training fulfils your duty of care, a high standard of training provision gives your workforce the skills necessary to increase productivity, while reducing the risk of damage to stock and equipment,” he said.

 

A spokesperson from the HSE added: “Temporary or seasonal warehouse workers are entitled to the same levels of information, training and guidance as all workers. 

 

“HSE’s guidance booklet Warehousing and storage: a guide to health and safety is available as a free download from our website. It focuses on responsible warehouse practices, general prevention of avoidable risks and hazards and attendant information of accident and emergency procedures. It also covers specific topics such as manual handling, musculoskeletal awareness, mechanical handling, site transport and working at height.”

 

The HSE’s guidance document can be found at: http://books.hse.gov.uk/hse/public/saleproduct.jsf?catalogueCode=9780717662258