Safety should always be a top concern in every manufacturing setting. Your workers should be confident knowing that their safety is guaranteed. A safe manufacturing plant also keeps you protected against potential accidents or lawsuits, which could cost you a lot.
The following tips should help you maintain a safe environment for your employees:
Routine Inspection of Equipment and Machinery
You need to set a schedule of regular inspections for your machines or equipment. Every piece of equipment and machinery should be in proper working condition all the time. Routine inspections help to detect impending problems and mechanical problems early enough.
Once you notice any issues, you can contact professionals for repairs and replacements to minimize the right of accidents. You need to inspect, repair, or replace worn-out chains and conveyors when necessary. It is also important to replace air actuators to ensure your moving equipment is in good working conditions. These routine inspections go a long way in preventing accidents and injuries.
Ongoing Training
Make it mandatory for new employees to follow standard orientation practices. For example, they should learn safety measures before operating machines and working in the manufacturing space. It is also crucial to schedule ongoing training at least every three months to prove that their safety is your priority. Employees will feel safer and more appreciated after attending these training sessions.
Promote a Company Safety Culture
You could spend all your efforts implementing safety measures, but if your employees don’t understand its essence, it could all go down the drain. Consider promoting a culture that improves safety in your manufacturing plant.
Educate your employees and managers on the essence of following safety rules and protocol within the plant. It is also important to ensure they know their responsibilities in making the plant safe. Promote open-door policies where employees can approach their seniors at work and report safety hazards that they may have detected. The safety culture ensures standard procedures are followed across the industry.
Mandatory Protective and Safety Gear for All Employees
The manufacturing industry exposes employees to toxic materials, heavy machinery, high heat, sharp equipment, and other hazards. This increases the risk of injuries, fires, explosions, and accidents. Exposure to all these risks makes wearing safety gear and protective equipment a necessity for all employees working in the plant.
Therefore, you need to incorporate roll calls and checklists to ensure all your employees walk into the manufacturing floor fully protected. It would also help if you made sure that their safety gears are in proper condition to reduce the chances of injuries in case of an accident.
Install Automated Security Systems
Part of the problem with ensuring your manufacturing floor is safe is failing to limit access. For safety reasons, you shouldn’t allow everyone into the plant. Install security systems to control human traffic and flow 24/7. Install cameras and door passes that allow only granted personnel into the premises. You should also lock high-risk areas and prevent unauthorized entry.
Have an Emergency Evacuation Plan in Place
No one wishes for an accident to erupt in their manufacturing plant. Accidents are inevitable and unplanned. What happens to your employees in the event of a fire or explosion within the plant?
It is important to think about an emergency evacuation plan as part of the safety protocols. Your workers should know exactly what to do during emergencies. Practice emergency evacuation drills to equip your employees with the right response skills and knowledge. There must be sufficient emergency exits and evacuation systems so that your people can get out of the building safely.
Regardless of the safety practices that you incorporate in your manufacturing plant, you need to understand that safety requires ongoing efforts. Ensure every employee in your team is committed to maintaining a safe working environment.
