Employee safety is an integral part of any job. No worker wants to put their life at risk at work each day.
Industrial and manufacturing jobs are some of the most dangerous professions in the world. However, there are several ways that companies, as well as employees, can reduce the risks of injuries.
Here are ten tips that help increase industrial and manufacturing safety for employees.
1. Observe Safety Rules and Regulations
All employees working in an industrial or manufacturing setting should follow all safety rules and regulations that have been put into place for their own protection. Employees who do not abide by the rules will only hurt themselves, as well as others around them.
For David Rowland, Head of Marketing at EcoOnline, ensuring a healthy and safe environment is the responsibility of everyone in an organisation. This may seem tough, but the payoffs are huge: increased productivity of workers, less absenteeism, increased bottom line, and greater consumer confidence.
2. Provide Safety Training
Companies should train workers on workplace safety policies before they begin working. They should also teach them workplace ergonomics, the proper way to wear PPE, safe industrial equipment operation, and handling emergencies.
All employees working in dangerous areas should also receive regular training and specific training they need to complete tasks, such as operating new machinery and using different mechanical devices.
3. Wear Proper Personal Protective Equipment and Safety Gear
Wearing proper PPE includes putting on steel-toe boots while working in an industrial area, earplugs when using power tools, wearing helmets or hard hats, and face protection, such as visors, while using other potentially dangerous equipment while welding. Make sure that all PPE is in good condition and is worn at all times.
4. Report Workplace Hazards
Don’t be afraid of reporting any potentially hazardous situations that may arise or anything that could result in an accident. By not reporting issues that come up, you are putting yourself and others at risk for future accidents due to your lack of action and concern.
Discuss potential hazards or issues with a supervisor, present the report to your safety manager, or talk to your company’s management about any problems that could lead to injury for yourself or others.
5. Follow Instructions on Equipment Handling
Always follow proper procedures when using machinery and other types of equipment. This involves ensuring that all machine parts are in their proper place, tools guards are correctly adjusted before use, and hand gloves are worn for protection. When you see issues, report them right away so that a qualified professional can look at the situation to ensure everything is running smoothly and safely within the facility.
It is vital to follow workplace safety warnings accordingly. When using a hand truck, make sure you are using it for the purpose intended, such as moving tools and equipment from one area to another within the same facility. Never try to move heavy machinery or large pieces of equipment by yourself. Instead, always use a lift table or forklift, so you don’t hurt your back or risk dropping something on someone else below you due to mishandling of materials and equipment.
6. Schedule Regular Equipment and Machinery Maintenance
Make sure machinery and other types of equipment are serviced often. Scheduled safety check-ups should be completed on all equipment to ensure everything is running smoothly and efficiently and prevent someone from getting hurt.
7. Be Watchful of Your Surroundings
Pay attention to the people who may be nearby when operating equipment or machinery. It prevents you from accidentally injuring others. When using dangerous equipment such as forklifts or cranes, make sure you look around and don’t rush through your work.
Always be aware of your surroundings, especially when carrying heavy loads and transporting materials from one place to another. If you are transporting a load that is too heavy for you to handle alone, seek assistance from others when having difficulty moving things to their intended destination.
8. Do Not Operate Unfamiliar Machinery
Don’t work beyond your capabilities or ignore advice offered by qualified professionals. Not taking advice from others who are trained on how to complete a specific task within an industrial or manufacturing facility puts not only yourself at risk for injury, but everyone around you as well if something were to happen due to your carelessness or misjudgment.
Employers should ensure that there are clear standard operating procedures or safety protocols in place when it comes to operating machinery. Proper signages or warning signs are important. This way, employers don’t need to face the stress and hassle of managing claims due to workplace injuries associated with operating a piece of unfamiliar machinery.
Supervisors and managers should monitor workers properly to avoid incidents of employees operating unfamiliar machinery and equipment. On the other hand, employees should also make sure that they comply with these SOPs and protocols. Good communication, strict policy implementation, quality control, and collaboration are the key ingredients to successful manufacturing and industrial operations.
9. Keep Materials Away From Open Electrical Areas
Ensure that there is no way materials could come into contact with live wires because this could result in electrocution and fires. Never handle wires or electrical devices when your hands are wet or when standing near flammable materials.
Ensure that all electrical panels have covers that snap down securely to avoid accidental contact with energized components when making repairs or performing other tasks in the area.
10. Clear Work Areas and Emergency Exits
The importance of keeping all work areas and the surrounding exits free from obstruction cannot be stressed enough. It is essential to store items and equipment in safe places to keep exits free, in case of an emergency. Make sure walkways are clear on both stairwells and hallways leading out from different departments so people can move around safely and rapidly if an accident does occur.
A clean workplace should be free from debris and a considerable amount of dust. Dust containment issues may arise in industrial and manufacturing workplaces. Keep in mind that dust can affect health. It may cause eye irritation, sneezing, coughing, and other respiratory and skin problems. Every work area needs good indoor air quality to boost employee performance.
A dust-free work environment reduces absences and may prevent serious, long-term health effects. That’s why employers should ensure minimizing dust as much as possible. You can handle this problem by implementing proper dust containment for bulk bag dischargers. By using high-quality dust containment equipment, you can improve the air quality of your product and overcome similar challenges.
Keep Everyone Safe
Always make safety your top priority at work. Follow these ten guidelines to keep your workplace safe for you and your coworkers. Remember that keeping the workplace safe isn’t only the company’s responsibility – employee healthy and safety begins with you.
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