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Safety training resources for material moving and warehouse workers

Safety at Work, TDI Division of Workers' Compensation

DWC publications:

Safety basics and warehouse layout

Good housekeeping, clear aisles, and safe storage practices reduce collisions, falling loads, and other common warehouse injuries. These resources help supervisors and workers identify hazards, improve traffic flow, and investigate incidents so they do not happen again.

  • Accident Investigation Safety Training Program (English/Spanish).
  • General Industry Self-Inspection Checklist (English/Spanish).
  • Job Hazard Analysis Fact Sheet (English/Spanish).
  • Job Hazard Analysis Safety Training Program (English/Spanish).
  • Job Hazard Analysis Workplace Program (English/Spanish).
  • Warehouse Equipment Inspections Guide and Checklist (English).
  • Warehouse Safety Fact Sheet: Materials Handling & Storage (English).

Lifting, sprains, strains, and ergonomics

Warehouse workers often lift boxes, push pallets, and repeat the same motions throughout the shift, which can strain backs, shoulders, and other joints. These resources teach safer lifting techniques, better job design, and ways to reduce repetitive motion and overexertion injuries.

Forklifts and powered industrial trucks

Forklifts, pallet jacks, and other powered industrial trucks can cause serious injuries if loads are unstable or drivers and pedestrians are not following safe procedures. Use these materials to support operator training, inspections, and written programs for forklifts and other powered industrial trucks.

  • Forklift Safety: Proper Load Handling – Take 5 for Safety (English/Spanish).
  • Forklift Safety: Rules of the Road – Take 5 for Safety (English/Spanish).
  • Powered Industrial Truck Inspection Checklists (English/Spanish).
  • Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklifts) Workplace Program (English/Spanish).

Slips, trips, falls, and walking–working surfaces

Spilled product, shrink wrap, uneven flooring, and cluttered aisles can lead to slips, trips, and falls on loading docks and in rack aisles. These publications help employers and workers keep floors and walkways clear, use ladders safely, and control fall hazards in warehouse environments.

Empty skids, pallets, and material storage

Improperly stacked pallets, unstable loads, and blocked aisles increase the risk of struck‑by injuries and product damage. These resources show how to store materials safely, separate damaged skids and pallets, and keep storage areas organized for safer material handling.

  • Empty Skids and Pallets – Take 5 for Safety (English/Spanish).
  • Warehouse Safety Fact Sheet: Materials Handling & Storage (English).

Hand tools, conveyors, and machine guarding

Conveyors, dock levelers, carton sealers, and powered hand tools can catch clothing, pinch fingers, or strike workers if they are not guarded or maintained. Use these materials to train workers on safe tool use and to develop machine guarding rules that fit your warehouse operations.

Equipment, electrical safety, and lockout/tagout

Warehouse workers may use dock equipment, balers, compactors, and other machinery that require safe startup, shutdown, and maintenance procedures. These resources support lockout/tagout programs, electrical safety awareness, and safe practices during servicing and repair.

Material handling vehicles, trucks, and loading docks

Shipping and receiving staff often work around trailers, dock plates, and delivery trucks where falls, struck‑by incidents, and roll‑away hazards can occur. These resources help improve dock safety, communication between drivers and warehouse staff, and safe loading and unloading practices.

  • Delivery Driver Safety Fact Sheet (English/Spanish).
  • Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls – Take 5 for Safety (English/Spanish).
  • Warehouse Equipment Inspections Guide and Checklist (English).
  • Warehouse Safety Fact Sheet: Materials Handling & Storage (English).

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Warehouse and material handling jobs may require safety shoes, high‑visibility vests, gloves, eye protection, and other PPE to prevent injuries from falling objects, cuts, and moving equipment. These materials help employers select PPE, train workers on proper use, and maintain written PPE and respiratory protection programs.

  • 5 Tips for Using Personal Protective Equipment (English).
  • Eye Injury Prevention Fact Sheet (English/Spanish).
  • Eye Protection Safety Training Program (English/Spanish).
  • Foot and Leg Protection – Workplace Program (English/Spanish).
  • Footwear Safety Fact Sheet (English/Spanish).
  • OSHA Shifts from Hard Hats to Safety Helmets (English).
  • Personal Protective Equipment Fact Sheet (English/Spanish).
  • Personal Protective Equipment – Safety Training Program (English/Spanish).
  • Personal Protective Equipment Workplace Program (English/Spanish).
  • Protective Clothing Workplace Program (English/Spanish).
  • Respirator Fit Test – Take 5 for Safety (English).
  • Respiratory Protection in the Workplace: Fit Testing Matters! (English/Spanish).
  • Respiratory Protection Sample Written Program (English).
  • Respiratory Protection Workplace Program (English/Spanish).

First aid, emergencies, and incident response

Injuries can happen quickly in busy warehouses, so workers need to know how to respond and how to get help. These resources support first aid awareness, first aid kit readiness, and planning for workplace emergencies, including fires, chemical releases, and medical emergencies.

Training programs available:

More information on training programs is available in the Training Program Descriptions publication, visit www.txsafetyatwork.com, or contact Workplace Safety at 512-804-4610 or SafetyTraining@tdi.texas.gov.

Help from your insurance company:

If you have a workers’ compensation policy in Texas, your insurance company must give you free accident prevention help, including:

  • Surveys.
  • Consultations.
  • Safety advice and training.
  • Industrial hygiene and health services.
  • Claims history.
  • Accident analysis.

You must contact your insurance company for help. If you have any trouble getting help from your insurance company, contact DWC at 800-687-7080 or healthsafety@tdi.texas.gov.

For more information, contact: SafetyTraining@tdi.texas.gov

Last updated: 5/19/2026