Warehouse PPE: 6 Essentials For Protecting Your Warehouse Workers

Warehouses are known for their risks and challenges, but with the right controls and security measures, they can be thriving, productive places to work. Wearing durable, high-quality and comfortable warehouse PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) can not only improve worker’s health and well-being, but protect them from potential workplace hazards and injuries. 

However,  it is imperative that risk assessments are carried out on a regular basis, with more frequent safety checks in facilities, construction and manufacturing industries. In 2023/24, 31% of all reported non-fatal injuries to employees to the HSE were from slips, trips or falls on the same level, and these events tend to happen more often in workplaces like factories or warehouses. In this article, we will look at the following 6 items that are essential elements of warehouse PPE and how Shoes For Crews’ slip-resistant outsoles can protect your team all day long.  

1. Hard hats and helmets

Warehouse Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) safeguards workers from and helps to prevent work-related injuries. Starting at the top, head protection is paramount. It is designed to absorb and dissipate the force of any impact. 

This is a key element when working in areas of the warehouse with overhead storage, racking or where machinery is being operated. Wearing a hard hat or safety helmet protects the head from falling objects, potential collisions and other occupational hazards.  

2. Safety glasses or face shields

Goggles are primarily used when operating heavy machinery or working in harsh conditions. They provide protection against flying debris, exposure to chemicals and intense lighting conditions. Additionally, eye protectors can also offer shock protection and some eyewear includes UV or chemical filters as well as anti-fog and scratch-resistant coatings. 

Full-face shields are designed to completely cover both eyes and face. Whichever option you choose for your crew’s warehouse PPE, it is an essential part of the kit when operating machinery, dealing with chemicals or performing tasks that generate dust and debris as well as guarding against splashes and spills. 

3. High-visibility jackets

Keeping your workers visible is also key to reducing the risk of accidents in their busy, high-traffic environments. High-vis jackets and vests will help improve safety and visibility in low light or dark conditions. This also reduces the risk of collisions for operators of machinery and vehicles both inside and outside the warehouse. 

This type of warehouse PPE is essential for forklift operators, load handlers and anyone who will be working in areas with moving vehicles or operating machinery. Personal Protective Equipment helps to minimise risk by providing a barrier between the worker and potentially hazardous conditions, thus preventing injury. 

4. Ear plugs, ear muffs and noise-cancelling headsets

Your employees need proper hearing protection to prevent hearing loss from prolonged exposure to high noise levels. Warehouse PPE for hearing protection ensures that workers can perform their daily tasks without compromising their long-term hearing health and without developing other auditory problems.  

Earplugs act as a shield against loud noise levels, reducing the risk of potential hearing damage. If your warehouse has fluctuating noise levels, earmuffs offer continuous protection and would be a better choice for these environments. Finally, noise-cancelling headsets are a more recent invention that combines both hearing protection and communication functions.  

5. Gloves made from different materials

As well as installing guards on rotating or moving parts of heavy machinery, it is essential to equip your crew with gloves made from various materials to reduce the risk of injury to fingers or hands. Rubber gloves are best used to prevent exposure to chemicals, physical elements and extreme temperatures while suede work gloves offer protection against cuts and abrasions. Insulated gloves can help prevent electric shocks and burns when working with live electrical currents. 

A properly fitted pair of gloves provides comfort and grip without compromising safety. They can withstand repeated use and exposure to hazards, but regular application of moisturiser will reduce the risk of chafing and calluses caused by constant rubbing.

6. Safety boots with steel or composite toe caps

Consistent use of PPE in your warehouse for all activities or tasks will help prevent common injuries from occurring and maintain a culture of safety in your workplace. Steel or composite toed boots primarily protect feet from heavy or sharp objects and slippery surfaces. Composite toe caps are more lightweight yet provide excellent protection against impact and compression. These types of boots are built to withstand harsh conditions while providing excellent cushioning where it counts. They are a mandatory piece of PPE for all warehouse staff, especially those operating forklifts or loading docks, handling heavy pallets and walking in wet areas. 

At Shoes For Crews, we pride ourselves on our slip-resistant outsole technology, which consistently exceeds industry standards. Its narrow tread pattern increases traction on even the smoothest floors, allowing wearers to walk across wet concrete floors to tile and vice versa without the risk of falling. 

Comfortable and supportive PPE is essential to keep your crew safe as they go about their daily tasks. Providing them with durable and reliable footwear for warehouse work is an investment that will pay off in the long run. To request a free sample pair of work boots or shoes, please reach out to one of our experts at Shoes For Crews. Or browse our Catalogue to find out more about specific features from our range of quality styles.