Safety in Manufacturing: How to Keep Your Workers Safe

When it comes to being safe on the job, it’s easy to get caught up in just staying out of danger, but there’s more to safety than that. In manufacturing, many different kinds of injuries can happen, some of which are minor and others that can be debilitating or even fatal. No matter how big or small an injury is, though, you have a responsibility to your workers to keep them safe at all times and in every step of the manufacturing process.

Considering the Different Stages of Production

Different stages of production pose different safety hazards and it is important for manufacturers to know how these dangers may present themselves in order to reduce any potential risks. These factors vary from machine type, work surface, and proximity of operators. Here are some things to keep in mind when looking for ways to make your manufacturing facility safe for workers.

Implementing Standard Operating Procedures

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are a set of actions required to follow certain tasks or processes. In manufacturing, SOPs will typically cover topics such as start-up and shutdown procedures, cleaning, preventative maintenance, assembly of parts/products and removal of defective products. Good manufacturers will keep a copy of their SOPs on hand for employees so they can quickly find what steps need to be taken when there is an emergency.

Reducing Accidents Through Awareness

Workplace accidents can be devastating and expensive, not only for the victim but also for the company that employs them. When you consider the various costs of an accident (medical expenses, disability payments, etc.), it becomes clear that preventing accidents from happening is always a better alternative. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce workplace accidents. One way is by educating your employees on safety and health standards. Another way is through training programs for machine operators and maintenance technicians who will be working with machinery.

Preventing Accidents at Home

Keeping your house safe is an important part of your day-to-day life. Keeping your work environment safe can have a greater impact on the safety of your workers and their families. Putting the right procedures and structures in place can greatly decrease the risk of accidents happening at home or at work.

Continuous Improvement

Focusing on continuous improvement is vital to safety. When looking at a plant, there are many areas of concern, from the people who work there and the quality of their work environment, all the way down to what we would call usual items such as tools or equipment.