Factors inhibiting safety practises in warehouse operations: a case of Sonwabo Logistics.

Abstract

The most prevalent challenge in warehouse operations is the high number of safety incidents and injuries. Among other factors, warehouse employees are constantly subjected to risk factors pertaining to safety practises whilst performing their daily functions. The goal, therefore, should be to identify the gap between current safety systems and the acceptable safety standards to identify ways to keep warehouse incidents to a bare minimum. In this way, organisations can carefully direct their resources and focus on the employee engagement with the current systems and operational procedures. The main purpose of this study is to determine the factors that inhabit safety practice in warehouse operations at Sonwabo logistics. The objectives of the study were to identify safety practises in retail warehousing operations; to identify factors inhibiting the effective workplace safety practises in warehouse operations; to examine whether the safety legislative section, standard operating procedures, and housekeeping strategy influence warehouse safety levels and to determine the extent to which warehouse mechanisation and automation influence employee safety for materials handling and ergonomics. The study used an exploratory case study research design using non-probability sampling that utilises both convenience and purposive sampling. Using the purposive sampling method, fourteen employees with expert knowledge of the subject matter were selected as sample size. Primary data was collected using semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions which were distributed electronically. By employing interview questions, interviewees could establish critical factors that affect effective workplace safety operational standards. A total of 14 responses were received and deemed usable for the analysis. Personnel from the inbound, outbound logistics, risk management, operations control, and human resources departments were chosen for the sample. Using the Nvivo themes and patterns. The study found that safety practises are usually not followed by employees, and they only exist on paper. Additionally, there was evidence of a misalignment between health and safety requirements and daily operational activities. Based on the research findings, negligence, insufficient training, inadequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment and signage are the prevailing factors that hinder the effectiveness of workplace safety practises in retail warehouse operations. On average, the respondents agreed with the OHSA that it is the responsibility of the employer to enforce the legislative requirements while it is the employee’s responsibility to comply with the health and safety standards that are put in place. Furthermore, the results revealed that even though Distribution Centres understand the importance of safety practises, finances are being channelled to warehouse mechanisation and automation while safety practises are being overlooked. The study concluded that the factors affecting workplace safety are still prevalent and need to be reinforced further to maintain zero tolerance for workplace injuries.