The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has begun a National Emphasis Program (NEP) targeting hazards in warehouses, distribution centers, and "high-risk" retail establishments.
The NEP aims to safeguard the health and safety of about two million workers in these industries. OSHA will conduct inspections to assess compliance with safety regulations and identify potential hazards that may pose risks to employees.
The focus of the inspections includes hazards related to powered industrial trucks, material handling/storage, walking-working surfaces, exits and fire protection, heat, and ergonomic factors.
According to Safety and Health Magazine, citing Bureau of Labor Statistics data, warehousing and distribution centers have higher injury and illness rates than private industry overall, and rates in certain sectors are more than two times higher than the national average.
