A safety policy is important to every manufacturing venture because it keeps employees unharmed and alive. To prevent injuries, accidents, diseases, and deaths, every manufacturer must establish a safe work environment for workers. Manufacturing is only sometimes mentioned among the highly dangerous industries such as construction, hunting, and fishing. However, manufacturing employees regularly interact with potentially dangerous materials, substances, and machinery, the main segments of a manufacturing employee’s job. Therefore, the number of incidents might be high.
For instance, a worker who interacts with lubricants, solvents, or other harmful chemicals might be at risk of rashes, burns, and respiratory issues. Employees who interact with machinery such as the centrifugal pump might be at risk of injuries like bruises, puncture wounds, or even loss of limbs.
Why is it Important for a Manufacturing Company to Be Aware of its Safety Policy?
Having a safety policy is crucial for any employer who wants to keep their workers safe and manage risks effectively. The policy helps minimize incidents such as injury, illness, or death, ensuring that workers are protected from uncertainty. With a safety policy in place, the manufacturing business can focus on other critical issues within the industry, such as investing in new technology and monitoring emerging safety trends to ensure that employees are safe.
Furthermore, having a safety policy is not just a moral obligation but also a legal requirement. Regulatory authorities, such as OSHA, mandate that every manufacturing business should have a safety policy in place to protect workers from potential hazards. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to hefty fines and legal fees, which can significantly impact a company’s bottom line.
Finally, a safety strategy can help to reduce indirect costs such as regulatory fines, operating costs, and workers’ compensation claims. By putting safety measures in place, a business can lower the risk of accidents and equipment damage, saving money on the expensive expenses of replacing or repairing damaged equipment.
What the Safety Policy Should Include:
Manufacturing businesses must prioritize safety to prevent accidents and injuries in the workplace. Many companies develop their safety policies as per the requirements of OSHA, which outlines several components that should be included in a safety policy. These components include an Emergency Action Plan Standard, Fire Safety, Hazard Communication Standard, Exit Routes, Medical and First Aid, and Walking/Working Surfaces.
Having a safety policy that covers these components ensures that workers are prepared to respond to emergencies. Such as preventing fires, handling hazardous chemicals safely, and knowing how to exit the facility in case of an emergency. Additionally, providing adequate medical and first aid supplies and ensuring the workplace has safe walking/working surfaces can prevent accidents and reduce the risk of workplace injuries.
Manufacturing companies can safeguard their personnel from diseases, mishaps, and potentially deadly injuries by creating and enforcing these regulations. Also, it can lower insurance premium payouts brought on by workplace accidents, workers’ compensation claims, and productivity loss from missed work.
Manufacturing Safety Tips
In order to prevent accidents and injuries in the dangerous industry of manufacturing, safety must always come first. To help ensure a secure workplace, consider the following manufacturing safety tips:
- Conduct regular safety training: It is essential to train employees on safety procedures and provide them with the necessary tools and equipment to carry out their tasks safely.
- Maintain equipment: Regular equipment maintenance helps prevent equipment failure and reduces the risk of accidents.
- Keep workspaces clean and organized: Workspaces should be kept clean and well-organized because they can become dangerous when cluttered and disorderly.
- Follow lockout procedures: Employees should follow lockout procedures when working with machinery to prevent accidental startup or release of stored energy.
- Monitor hazardous materials: To avoid accidents, sicknesses, and environmental harm, hazardous items must be handled, stored, and disposed of properly.
- Implement emergency response procedures: A well-defined emergency response plan can help prevent injuries, property damage, and other negative consequences of accidents.
- Conduct regular safety audits: Frequent safety audits can assist in identifying potential risks and ensuring adherence to safety requirements.
What Else Can Increase Safety Procedures at a Manufacturing Company?
Employee Training
Manufacturers should ensure that all workers are trained on various safety techniques and job responsibilities. Employers should provide employees with personal protective equipment and show them how to service or maintain heavy machinery, the proper lookout procedures, and all other information about workplace safety.
Machine Guarding
This safety feature covers a machine’s hazardous parts to prevent injury to the operator or people nearby. In manufacturing facilities, experts should inspect machines, such as overhead cranes, for proper guarding and shields to protect workers from injury or accidents.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE includes head protection, clothing, footwear, and glasses that workers can utilize to protect themselves from risks in the manufacturing environment. Manufacturing businesses need to examine the most appropriate PPE for each job, purchase the PPE, and ensure every worker has the right PPE. Manufacturers should also train their workers to put on and utilize PPE. Employees should maintain, assess, and update their PPE regularly to remain protected.
Safe Work Environment
A safe work environment ensures workers work safely without worrying about possible risks. Employee training, machine guarding, and PPE are factors that help create a safe environment in the workplace. Factors like manager training, housekeeping, and employee involvement, may also contribute to a safe workplace.
The Dangers to Avoid in a Manufacturing Business
A manufacturing business poses several risks to workers if adequate safety measures are not implemented. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid danger by employing various tips, beginning with creating a shared business culture and set of values and ending with a significant analysis of the hazards in each process.
One of the most crucial tips is building a positive safety culture. To create a safe workplace culture, management must promote workplace safety, train staff on safety procedures, and consistently enforce safety laws. Employees are encouraged by this culture to identify and report safety issues, reducing risk in the workplace.
Another essential tip is to keep entrances, walkways, and exits clear of obstacles. The workplace should be well organized at all times, ensuring everything has its place, including outgoing items and incoming deliveries. This can prevent accidents and injuries.
Finally, conducting regular maintenance can significantly reduce workplace hazards. This includes conducting independent safety audits to identify unsafe working conditions and developing a computerized maintenance management system to assess equipment regularly.
By implementing these tips, a manufacturing business can reduce workplace accidents, injuries, and fatalities. This, in turn, increases productivity, improves employee morale, and reduces expenses associated with workers’ compensation and insurance premiums.
Conclusion
The manufacturing industry needs a strong health and safety system to perform. Workers regularly interacting with dangerous materials, substances, and machinery need protection. Focusing on establishing safety policies can increase productivity, boost employee morale, minimize incident-related costs, and ensure quality. Manufacturing businesses should place worker safety above productivity and profits.
Author Bio: Written by Taylor McKnight, Author of Tivly