What risks are associated with falling objects?

Workplace accident statistics show that falling objects are among the most common form of accident, especially in industrial environments such as warehouses. This is due to the constant influence of gravity. When the means of compensating gravity fails, the object will fall. For example, if an object is placed on an inclined surface without a solid support, gravity will exert its influence and the object will fall.

Several factors increase the risk of objects falling: 

• Warehouses are often busy places. While everything has to move quickly, this can lead to unsafe stacking of products. 
• Space is limited, so goods are often stacked vertically. Goods that are stacked without being stable constitutes a major risk. 
• Poorly installed equipment or infrastructure can unexpectedly come loose, tip over or collapse due to time pressure or a lack of due attention. 
• Materials, tools and debris can also fall over.

Not surprisingly, these accidents can result in personal injury and property damage to infrastructure and machinery.

Falling objects have a significant economic impact on an organisation, not least medical costs and compensation for the employee's inability to work. Other financial compensation may also be required and there is a risk of incurring claims due to a failure to comply with safety measures. This can also often result in property damage, such as damaged or broken goods (especially when working with glassware, for example). Existing infrastructure such as walls, floors, doors and windows may also become damaged.

In addition, falling parts, tools and loads can cause serious injuries. These range from shock to physical injuries such as wounds, fractures and trauma. Falling chemicals can cause burns and infections requiring medical treatment. This is expensive and often results in long-term absenteeism. In extreme cases, accidents can result in permanent disability or even death. This must be avoided at all costs. But how?

It is important to take various safety measures to reduce the risk of falling objects. This includes: 

• Mapping out the layout of the warehouse
• Marking high-risk areas
• Putting up clearly visible warnings.

Training workers, regularly inspecting equipment and wearing personal protective equipment such as helmets, work gloves and appropriate footwear are also essential.

However, prevention alone is not enough. It is also important to invest in collective protection measures. Polymer safety solutions such as barriers, bollards and handrails are designed to prevent goods from falling over unexpectedly. Kick rails prevent goods from sliding under a protective fence. In addition, it is important to install corner protection, column protection and rack protection to prevent damage to racks and stop them from collapsing in the event of a collision.