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What are the Steps to Training New Warehouse Workers?

June 2023

At RACKsteel, we understand the importance of properly training new warehouse workers. Specifically in the warehousing and logistics industries. While technology seems to be replacing jobs left and right, blue-collar workers remain the backbone of most modern businesses. And with the high degree of turnover in blue-collar roles due to seasonal demands and fluctuations, it’s essential that every business has the proper steps in place to sufficiently train their new workers – and provide refreshers for any interested veterans.

Proper training ensures that every new worker understands their job responsibilities, safety policies and procedures, and can perform their tasks efficiently. In this blog post, we will discuss the steps in training new warehouse workers to improve warehouse efficiency, prioritize their safety, and result in greater profit for your business.

 

Orientation

The first step in training new warehouse workers is to provide an orientation to the warehouse facility, its layout, and the products that are stored and shipped from it. This helps the new worker get an overview of the warehouse’s operations and understand how their job responsibilities fit into the bigger picture.

Safety Training

The safety of workers is a top priority at RACKsteel. And we know it’s a huge concern for the warehouses we design, engineer, and install racking systems for. Therefore, providing safety training that covers the safety policies and procedures for the warehouse is essential. This includes safe handling of equipment, proper lifting techniques, and emergency procedures. Workers should be trained on the importance of following safety protocols to prevent accidents and injuries.

Equipment Training

At RACKsteel, we use various equipment to ensure safe and efficient warehouse operations. It is important to train new workers on the specific equipment they will be using, such as forklifts, pallet jacks, or conveyors. This training should cover safe operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the equipment. Workers should also be trained on how to report any equipment malfunctions or defects.

Task-Specific Training

Providing task-specific training for the worker’s job responsibilities, such as order picking, packing, or receiving, is crucial. This training should include hands-on practice and feedback. Workers should be trained on the proper procedures for each task, including how to handle products, how to use equipment, and how to ensure accuracy.

Quality Training

At RACKsteel, we take pride in the quality of our work. To maintain our high standards, we know it’s our responsibility to provide sufficient training to our employees. And this extends to all businesses that have high expectations of their workers. It is essential to train new employees on the standards and expectations of the warehouse. This includes how to inspect products for damage, correct labelling, and packaging, and how to identify and report any quality issues.

Supervision

Providing ongoing supervision and coaching to the new worker as they learn their job responsibilities is essential. This includes feedback on their performance and guidance on areas that need improvement. Workers should feel comfortable asking questions and seeking clarification on their tasks.

On-the-Job Training

Any fresh hire should have the chance to work alongside experienced workers. This gives the new worker the opportunity to observe and learn the job responsibilities, ask questions, and receive feedback. An effective way to train new workers, it also helps to build camaraderie and teamwork among workers.

Ongoing Training

At RACKsteel, we believe that ongoing training is crucial for the personal and professional development of workers. Therefore, it is important to provide ongoing training to new workers as they gain more experience and take on new responsibilities. Ongoing training is also important for veteran workers as it reduces the skill gap between employees, boosts productivity, improves company morale, and provides further structure to individual development. Examples of ongoing training could be refresher training on safety policies and procedures, new equipment or technology training, and advanced training on tasks or skills.

We Practice What We Preach

By following these steps, new warehouse workers will have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their job safely and effectively. At RACKsteel, we are committed to providing our clients with highly trained and skilled workers to ensure the safety and efficiency of their warehouse operations. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you optimize your warehouse operations.

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Our customer service philosophy is simple: We will make sure every call and email is prioritized, and that your warehouse gets operating faster.