Factors inhibiting safety practises in warehouse operations: a case of Sonwabo Logistics.
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Date
2021
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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.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.