Warehouses move fast, and so does OSHA. In 2023 the agency launched a National Emphasis Program aimed squarely at warehouses and distribution centers, which means more planned inspections focused on forklifts, loading docks, racking, exits, and heat. Almost every client we serve runs a warehouse or distribution operation, so this is home turf.
OSHA's warehousing emphasis program lists the hazards inspectors focus on. Here is what that looks like on your floor.
29 CFR 1910.178
Operator training and evaluation on each type of truck, a performance evaluation at least every three years, pre-shift inspections, and pulling unsafe trucks out of service. This is the heart of most warehouse inspections.
29 CFR 1910.178(k), 1910.26, 1910.28
Trailers need wheels chocked or a vehicle restraint before a forklift drives in. Dockboards must be secured and rated for the load. Open dock doors are an unprotected edge.
29 CFR 1910.176
Damaged uprights, missing beam locks, overloaded shelves, and unstable stacks. Material has to be stored so it cannot slide, fall, or collapse.
29 CFR 1910.36, 1910.37, 1910.157
Exits blocked by pallets, missing exit signs, and fire extinguishers hidden behind product. Peak season makes this worse every year.
29 CFR 1910.147, 1910.212
Conveyor nip points need guards, and clearing a jam counts as servicing. If someone reaches into a conveyor, lockout/tagout applies unless an exception truly fits.
29 CFR 1910.22, 1910.28
Mezzanine edges, pick modules, and elevated platforms need guardrails at four feet. Floors need to be kept clean, dry, and free of trip hazards.
General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1)
Georgia warehouses get hot. OSHA uses the General Duty Clause to cite heat hazards, so a written heat illness plan with water, rest, shade, and acclimatization for new workers matters.
29 CFR 1904
Injury logs that are incomplete or never posted are an easy citation. Many warehouses must also submit their injury data to OSHA electronically every year.
Why TSG
Matt Thompson, CSP, has audited warehouses and distribution centers for nearly two decades, including Regional Safety Manager at Kloeckner Metals, where metals processing and distribution happened under the same roof.
TSG clients include equipment rental companies, parts and filtration suppliers, and manufacturers with their own warehouses. We know what peak season does to aisles, exits, and forklift traffic.
Certified Safety Professional (CSP) · Associate Safety Professional (ASP) · Authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer · More about Matt
A walkthrough built around OSHA's warehousing emphasis program, plus a review of your forklift training records and injury logs.
Written forklift, dock safety, and heat illness programs that match how your building actually runs.
Monthly or quarterly visits with toolbox talks so the fixes stick after the inspection is over.
In July 2023 OSHA launched a National Emphasis Program for warehousing and distribution center operations. It directs inspectors to plan inspections at these sites and focus on powered industrial trucks, material handling and storage, walking-working surfaces, means of egress, fire protection, heat, and ergonomics. It also covers mail and package delivery hubs.
Forklift training and inspection, blocked exits, damaged racking, missing guardrails on mezzanines and docks, hazard communication, and incomplete injury records. A mock OSHA inspection checks each of these so you can fix them before an inspector sees them.
OSHA does not issue forklift licenses. The employer must train each operator, evaluate them on the type of truck they will drive, and certify that the training and evaluation happened. The evaluation must be repeated at least every three years.
There is no final federal heat standard yet, but OSHA cites heat hazards under the General Duty Clause and includes heat in its warehousing emphasis program. A written plan covering water, rest, shade, acclimatization, and emergency response is the best way to show you are managing it.
Yes, and it is often the best time. Peak season is when aisles get crowded, temporary workers start driving forklifts, and exits get blocked. We schedule around your operation so we do not slow down shipping.
Answer a few questions about your facility and your fixed price is emailed to you in minutes. Or call Matt directly at 770-744-3791.