Standard operating procedure
Warehouse Staff Onboarding SOP
Ensures all new warehouse personnel are safely integrated, compliant with regulations, and proficient in core operational tasks before independent work.
Applies to all new full-time, part-time, and temporary warehouse staff from offer acceptance through the first 30 days. Does not apply to executive leadership or remote administrative staff.
Procedure
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1Verify completion of all pre-employment background checks and medical fitness assessmentsDone when The candidate's file in the HRIS shows 'Cleared for Hire' status
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2Assign a dedicated buddy and schedule the first-week training calendarDone when The new hire receives a calendar invite for Week 1 and an introduction email from their buddy
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3Issue all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including high-visibility vests, steel-toed boots, and safety glassesDone when The new hire signs the PPE issuance log and is wearing the correct gear
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4Conduct mandatory site safety orientation covering emergency exits, fire extinguisher locations, and incident reporting proceduresDone when The new hire signs the Safety Orientation Acknowledgment Form
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5Deliver classroom training on inventory management basics including SKU identification, barcode scanning, and stock rotation principlesDone when The new hire passes the inventory knowledge quiz with a score of 90% or higher
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6Provide supervised hands-on training for manual pallet jacks including load balancing and navigationDone when The trainee successfully completes three load moves without incident under observation
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7Conduct forklift certification training if the role requires it, including pre-operation inspection and safe maneuveringDone when The trainee receives a valid Forklift Operator Certification card
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8Walk through the shift handover protocol including logbook updates and shift change briefingsDone when The new hire correctly fills out a sample shift handover log
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9Review performance expectations, attendance policies, and code of conductDone when The new hire signs the Employee Handbook Acknowledgment
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10Schedule a 30-day performance review to assess integration and competencyDone when A calendar invite for the review meeting is sent to the new hire and their supervisor
If something goes wrong
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