What are some common safety procedures for incoming goods?

If you work in a warehouse, you know how important it is to handle incoming goods safely and efficiently. Incoming goods are the raw materials, products, or supplies that your warehouse receives from suppliers, vendors, or customers. They need to be inspected, sorted, stored, and recorded according to quality and safety standards. In this article, you will learn some common safety procedures for incoming goods that can help you prevent accidents, injuries, damages, and losses in your warehouse.

1 Check the documentation

Before you accept any incoming goods, you need to check the documentation that accompanies them. This may include invoices, packing lists, delivery notes, or purchase orders. The documentation should match the goods in terms of quantity, quality, description, and condition. You should also verify the sender, the receiver, the date, and the delivery method. If you find any discrepancies, errors, or missing information, you should report them to your supervisor or the relevant party and resolve them before proceeding.

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Uton Neil

Independent worker
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How yes I agree that how it should be done, safety for you the consumers also the company. Which there won’t be any lawsuit because of bad contaminated products being delivered to the customers or anyone.

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2 Inspect the goods

After you check the documentation, you need to inspect the goods for any visible signs of damage, defect, or contamination. You should look for cracks, dents, tears, leaks, spills, stains, or odors that may indicate that the goods are unsafe or unusable. You should also check the labels, tags, or markings on the goods for any information about hazards, handling instructions, or expiration dates. If you find any issues, you should reject the goods, isolate them, and notify your supervisor or the supplier.

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3 Use proper equipment

When you handle incoming goods, you need to use proper equipment that is suitable for the type, size, weight, and shape of the goods. You may need to use forklifts, pallet jacks, hand trucks, carts, or conveyors to move the goods from the loading dock to the storage area. You should follow the manufacturer's guidelines and the warehouse's policies for operating and maintaining the equipment. You should also wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, helmets, goggles, or vests to protect yourself from potential hazards.

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Casey Dennison

Class A Driver
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I didn't hear anybody mentioning anything about the kick plate at the dock where the big truck is backing into. The drivers tandems should be slid, wheels chalked, and the trailer centered appropriately in the dock door. This also gives good secure foundation to the kick plate your driving over with a forklift or a pallet jack to either load the truck or offload. One should also make sure you have a red light activated once the driver is secure in the dock. This way the driver already knows that he's still getting loaded/unloaded and doesn't pull out from the dock causing potential injury or harm to anyone inside the trailer.

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4 Follow safe practices

When you handle incoming goods, you need to follow safe practices that can help you avoid accidents and injuries. You should always lift, carry, and place the goods with care and caution. You should avoid overloading, stacking, or storing the goods in unstable or unsafe ways. You should keep the aisles, walkways, and work areas clear of obstructions and clutter. You should also communicate and cooperate with your co-workers and supervisors to ensure smooth and efficient operations.

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5 Record the goods

After you handle incoming goods, you need to record the goods in the warehouse's inventory system. You should enter the relevant data such as the quantity, quality, location, and status of the goods. You should also update the documentation and attach any receipts, labels, or notes that confirm the receipt of the goods. You should keep the records accurate and up-to-date to facilitate tracking, auditing, and reporting of the goods.

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6 Report any problems

Finally, if you encounter any problems or issues while handling incoming goods, you need to report them to your supervisor or the appropriate authority. You should describe the problem, the cause, the effect, and the action taken. You should also suggest any improvements or solutions that can prevent or resolve the problem in the future. You should document the problem and the report in writing and keep a copy for reference. Reporting problems can help you improve the quality and safety of the incoming goods and the warehouse operations.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Mohana Selva

Manager
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Adding to above point, UOM need to be checked to ensure to eliminate extra/less quantity received. Also, immediately check for redressing (I.e.sub-labelling/repacking) with accordance to local authority requirements. To hold prior to include into shelf/location.

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What are some common safety procedures for incoming goods?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Check the documentation

2 Inspect the goods

3 Use proper equipment

4 Follow safe practices

5 Record the goods

6 Report any problems

7 Here’s what else to consider

Warehouse Operations

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What are some common safety procedures for incoming goods?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Check the documentation

2 Inspect the goods

3 Use proper equipment

4 Follow safe practices

5 Record the goods

6 Report any problems

7 Here’s what else to consider

Warehouse Operations

Rate this article

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