Why Training for Warehouse Workers Matters
Warehouse and distribution centers around the country have been moving non-stop to fill nationwide orders. This means many facilities have to onboard new employees fast, without disrupting current workflows. Which makes operator safety training for those new employees top of mind.
Training for warehouse workers is essential during the holiday rush and beyond. The right training program ensures optimal operational efficiency and is paramount for injury prevention. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that there were 253,100 employer-reported injuries in the transportation and warehousing sector in 2021, up 22.3% from 2020.
With workplace injuries on the rise and demand for operational productivity increasing, training for warehouse workers matters more now than ever.
Why Is Training Important in a Warehouse?
Warehouses operate at their best when staffed with high-quality, well-trained workers. Ensuring your warehouse employees are skilled is essential for reducing injuries, protecting your material handling equipment, and maintaining an optimum level of efficiency.
You’ll find quite a few other benefits that come with implementing an effective warehouse training program.
Increased Worker Productivity
Warehouses rely on established processes for streamlined operations. The right warehouse training program can ensure all employees are aware of protocols and procedures, which can lead to increased on-the-job productivity. Keeping track of how employees perform during and after training helps determine when processes need to be adjusted to increase efficiency and justify investments in staffing.
More Effective Management
The managers and supervisors in your warehouse are often directly responsible for the productivity of their teams and the level of service you provide to your customers. Managers who are forced to take on untrained workers’ tasks have less time to focus on higher-level projects. Additionally, skilled workers are more autonomous and require less supervision.
Less Employee Turnover
Employees who are satisfied with their jobs are more likely to stay at their job. According to the Harvard Business Review, reasons for employee satisfaction include factors like responsibility, achievement, and growth. All of these factors depend on effective and robust employee training programs. Additionally, warehouse training programs create a significantly safer environment for employees, which also contributes to satisfaction and retention.
Consistent Operations
Warehouse employees who receive the same training on the same processes and protocols are able to work together seamlessly and ensure consistent material handling operations. Untrained and under-trained employees often rely on guesswork to figure out tasks or will seek guidance from others who may be similarly un- or under-strained. Both approaches result in inconsistency and inefficiency.
How Do You Train a Warehouse Worker?
Training for warehouse workers is essential to the efficiency of your facility. Following a consistent warehouse training program curriculum can ensure all employees are trained to complete the same tasks in the same way.
A warehouse worker training program likely includes OSHA requirements and checklists, proper lifting techniques, forklift operation, material handling processes, order picking, use of other pallet jacks and other equipment, injury prevention, and how to avoid safety hazards.
There are additional factors to consider when developing a solid warehouse training program. Other things to keep in mind include:
- Existing skill sets: Warehouse employees come from all walks of life and can join your organization with varying skill sets. Getting to know your employees and understanding what they bring to the table can help determine the best tasks for each individual and identify any gaps in skills or processes.
- How each employee fits into overall operations: Many employees like to understand the big picture. Helping workers comprehend how their warehouse role contributes to the overall supply chain and success of the business can be motivating and encourage compliance with training guidelines.
- Rewarding good work: Everyone deserves recognition when they do good work. Warehouse employee training might come with incentives like a certificate recognizing the accomplishment or even a pay raise after successful completion.
Does Naumann/Hobbs Offer Training Programs for Warehouse Workers?
As a strategic partner in the material handling industry, Naumann/Hobbs recognizes the importance of safety training for warehouse workers. We offer both forklift training programs and warehouse equipment safety training to ensure OSHA requirements are met and operations are efficient. Other warehouse training programs, like Train the Trainer (TTT) classes and Mobile Elevated Work Platform Safety (MEWPS), are also available through Naumann/Hobbs.
Naumann/Hobbs offers decades of industry experience and is dedicated to your material handling business’s success. Contact us today for more information about training programs and partnerships.
