5 Tips To Improve Manufacturing Facility Safety
Providing a safe working environment in the world of manufacturing is everyone’s responsibility, from the workers on the production floor to management creating the safety policies. Whether they’re caused by faulty equipment, overlooked procedures or worker fatigue, practically all workplace accidents are preventable. Ultimately, manufacturers must be diligent about making sure that their manufacturing facilities are safe workplaces.
Not only do manufacturing facility safety improvements keep the production lines running and boost productivity, but they also make it possible for employees to return home safely to their loved ones at the end of their shifts. What that in mind, here are some basic ideas to promote safety in the workplace that manufacturers can use to make their facilities safer for everyone.
1. Have periodic safety meetings. Many times, accidents occur on the production floor or in warehouses because someone simply forgot to follow a crucial safety procedure. These procedures are too important to mention once and then assume everyone will follow them every time.
Thus, it’s always a good idea to establish regular safety meetings where managers can reiterate and reinforce the proper safety procedures. These meetings can serve to remind employees of their responsibilities from a safety perspective and give them an opportunity to get clarification on procedures they may not fully understand.
2. Hire staff and management dedicated to making safety their top priority. It can be difficult, if not impossible, to have a manufacturing facility that operates as safely as possible without people who are committed to safety. During the hiring process for any position, from management to production, emphasize the importance of following the established safety protocols.
If you believe for any reason that a job candidate may not be able to commit himself or herself fully to following proper safety procedures, do not hire that person.
3. Optimize your work environment for safety. Studying the workflow on your production floor can be helpful for improving efficiency and safety. Many accidents happen because workflow crosses into zones unnecessarily and increases risk. Other improvements, such as adding acoustic insulation to reduce the noise of equipment, can help make accidents less likely.
4. Make everyone in the manufacturing facility accountable for safety. Creating a safer manufacturing facility involves fostering a culture of safety that extends throughout the organization. That means making it clear that everyone at every level is responsible for following safety procedures. It also means implementing a system in which employees who exhibit safe behavior are recognized. Employees should feel empowered to call out unsafe behavior in their co-workers regardless of their rank, as well.
5. Hire vendors and partners that make safety as much of a priority as your facility does. A culture of safety extends beyond your facility. Working exclusively with vendors and partners that take safety as seriously as you do helps to guarantee that every point along the supply chain is being managed with the utmost commitment to safety. Choosing vendors or partners that cut corners only increases the potential for accidents to affect your facility and your business.
Safety is essential in manufacturing facilities, especially in those that utilize overhead crane and hoist equipment. Crane 1 can help these businesses with workplace safety inspections and maintenance that can identify potential safety problems before accidents occur. Follow these workplace safety ideas, and you can help ensure that your manufacturing facility operates as safely and profitably as possible.
