MSD Risks (Musculoskeletal Disorders)
To assess these risks in the logistics sector, it is necessary to distinguish between two very different types of interactions. The first relates to activities performed inside the warehouse (such as order picking).
Recommendations, Rules, and Standards
In general, the main recommendations regarding protective measures in a warehouse focus on equipment and organization, but the design of the buildings must also be taken into account.
These measures are particularly emphasized by the INRS (French National Research and Safety Institute), through detailed guidelines.
For manual handling, for example, it is advisable to eliminate double and triple picking levels by replacing them with dynamic racks, bins, or drawers. Automatic wrapping machines, which avoid the need to bend over and handle cutters, help reduce the risks associated with manual wrapping. “To prevent the occurrence of MSDs, one should also avoid stacking roll cages and pallets above 1.80 meters. Equipment such as stackers or electric pallet trucks can be used to retrieve pallets without the need for manual handling,” explains Éric Veretout.
Another major area of prevention involves pallet racks, whose bases should be protected to reduce the consequences of collisions with forklifts. Finally, the existing hazards on loading docks must be taken seriously. To mitigate these dangers, physical measures can be taken — such as installing wheel chocks under the truck — along with organizational measures, like having the driver lock and consign the keys.
In the end, it’s a combination of various approaches and tools that will lead a company to the best system to ensure safety on its logistics platform.
There is also a general method to follow in order to develop a single risk assessment document, which will serve as the core element in evaluating occupational risks.
A Maturing Industry
Regarding the prevention of risks linked to handling equipment, beyond regulatory requirements, regular equipment maintenance and ensuring proper driver training also contribute to warehouse safety.
Still, the sector has shown real awareness when it comes to safety:
“In the past two decades, the industry has clearly matured — it’s like night and day in terms of risk prevention, both materially and organizationally.”
