How to Eliminate Safety Concerns in the Manufacturing Industry

Workers in manufacturing industry risk their health and sometimes even life every time they step into the workplace. Even though there’s an entire science behind workplace safety and injury prevention in factories, accidents still happen daily, costing workers their health and employers their money. So, if you want to improve the safety of the working conditions in your company, here are the most important things you should pay attention to.

Organize Trainings

Your machines and equipment can be in the best possible condition, but it won’t matter if your employees don’t know how to handle them. Every employee should undergo regular training on all machines and tools they might come in contact with. Once the facility replaces the machine, the training should be repeated. Also, it’s smart to send your workers to safety training programs and seminars in order to keep them up-to-date with the current safety practices. The training should teach them how to recognize the symptoms of chemical poisoning and gas exposure, and when and how to evacuate the building.

Teach First Aid to Your Workers

If there’s an emergency, it’s crucial to have first aid training as well as quick and easy access to medical equipment. There should be first aid stations all over your facility, and they should include both general first aid kits and kits specific to your workplace. Stations should be well marked and easily identified. Also, all workers should undergo minimal first aid training. However, sometimes it’s necessary to have employees who are trained in first aid more extensively and know how to do a confined-space rescue.

Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls

Slips, trips, and falls are the second most common cause of injury in the workplace. They are usually caused by clutter and spills, so every day should start and end with a clean and tidy facility. Workers also need to have clean walking routes and workstations so they can move around the facility safely and have enough elbow room to operate their tasks.

Avoid Roadway Accidents

Workers who handle heavy machinery are exposed to a whole new set of hazards. And even though their behavior around machinery is very important in order to stay safe, they also need to be provided with protective clothing, eye and ear protection, gloves, and work boots. All communication with workers who operate forklifts and other vehicles should be discouraged during driving. There should also be separate roadways for vehicles and pedestrians.

Prevent Electrical Accidents

Even though the manufacturing industry isn’t directly connected to electrical work, every manufacturing facility is also in risk of electrical accidents. Some accidents are caused by improperly installed equipment, some by exposed wires or exposed electrical panels. There’s also a possibility of electrical shock when spills happen near the exposed wires. So, no matter what your facility produces, there’s always a danger of fire. That’s why all walls should be stripped of wallpaper and flammable paint, and the building and electrical wires should be properly insulated. Concrete is your safest option when it comes to walls and floors.

Floor Protection

To prevent both accidents and fires, floors should be made of pure concrete and covered with industrial epoxy flooring solutions that protect the floors from heavy traffic, chemical and oil spills, and corrosion. Floors can also be modified to include an anti-slip coat that further improves safety.

Organize Meetings and Create Milestones

There should be meetings organized regularly to promote safety and training, and not attending should be penalized. These meetings should be something your workers are looking forward to, so make them interesting and educational. Also, set some company goals and every time you meet the milestone, there should be a celebration and some motivational awards.

Always teach your workers the importance of workplace safety, and train them to recognize hazardous behaviors and situations. Workplace safety should become second-nature for you and your employees if you want to run a successful and efficient business.