If you're a warehouse manager, you know the dangers that come with elevated work. Whether accessing goods stored up high or manuevering an order picker on a mezzanine, the potential of a catostrophic fall is constantly present. Falls from heights are not just a leading cause of warehouse injuries; they are some of the most devastating, often resulting in work stoppages, expensive insurance claims, and, most importantly, long-term consequences for workers. Yet, with the right precautions and technology, these incidents are preventable.

The Reality of Falls from Heights

Falls from elevated surfaces, such as elevated vehicles, raised work areas, and mezzanines account for a substantial number of warehouse injuries. OSHA mandates fall protection at elevations of four feet or more in general industry settings, but simply following the rules doesn’t ensure safety. In practice, even veteran employees can become overconfident or pressed for time, leading to forgetting to use safety harnesses. The consequences are serious: a single misstep at height can result in life-altering injuries or fatalities.

Warehouses are dynamic environments. Workers frequently need to access inventory stored several levels above the ground, using equipment like order pickers or turret trucks. These machines are essential for modern fulfillment operations, but they also bring new risks for falls. A single lapse, not attaching a lanyard or incorrectly attaching safety equipment, can have tragic results.

Ordinary Fall Protection: Strengths and Shortcomings

Historically, warehouses have relied on a mix of protective rails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems to protect workers at height. Barriers and guardrails are helpful on permanent raised surfaces, but they do not ensure the safety of workers on mobile equipment. Personal fall arrest systems such as lanyards and harnesses are the standard for employees on mobile lifts. However, these systems depend on reliable use by staff. Even the best-trained worker can forget to tether in a moment of distraction, especially during high-pressure times or under demanding workloads.

Safety managers have long struggled with this human factor. Spot checks and routine audits help, but they cannot guarantee 100% compliance, especially in complex, round-the-clock facilities.

The Raymond iWarehouse Integrated Tether System: Compliance Made Easy

Raymond’s iWarehouse Integrated Tether System represents a leap forward in fall protection for warehouse environments where work at height is common. Unlike traditional systems that depend only on workers following procedures, the Integrated Tether System employs wireless technology to ensure that safety protocols are enforced whenever an employee uses elevated equipment.

Here’s how it works: The system requires the worker to attach a lanyard to their safety harness before the vehicle will function at regular speed or allow the forks to elevate. If the operator is not properly tethered, the system immediately triggers a series of progressive warnings including beeping alerts, visual warnings on the iMONITOR display, and, if ignored, slowing the vehicle to a crawl and shutting off lift controls. This multi-layered approach ensures that workers cannot bypass safety procedures, even unintentionally.

The Integrated Tether System is currently available for Raymond’s Orderpicker models (5300, 5400, 5500, 5600) and Swing-Reach trucks (9600, 9700), making it a versatile choice for many facilities. Besides real-time monitoring, the system supplies supervisors with detailed data on tether compliance, allowing for focused coaching and forward-thinking risk management.

Take the Next Step Toward Fall Protection

Elevated falls are a major risk in warehouse operations, but they are also among the most avoidable. By adopting new tools like the Integrated Tether System, you can go further than just meeting regulations, protecting your people, your output, and your confidence.

If you’re ready to make safety a priority, contact Raymond West. Our team can evaluate your warehouse hazards, install advanced safety systems, and build a safer, more resilient operation—one where every worker at height is protected on every shift.

Raymond West's Long Beach service area includes Long Beach, North Long Beach, Wilmington, San Pedro, Lomita, Torrance and nearby surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Long Beach Material Handling Equipment Supplier

Long Beach
(562) 444-1222