Manufacturing Safety Guide: 11 Steps for a Safe Businesses

by Louise M. SEO Specialist

A safe work environment correlates with productivity. This is why manufacturing companies should take steps to protect employees from hazards at work. To help you out, here are 11 steps to begin with.

Workplace safety is one of the major concerns for every manufacturing business. It’s best for both employees and the business itself. If done wrong, it can cause severe life risks to employees and reputational damage to your manufacturing business.

You have a primary role to keep employees safe, hence the need for conducting training including creating procedures and policies. You are completely aware of the link between EHS (environment, health, and safety) and your business aims.

Manufacturing safety is associated with higher work productivity and a plethora of benefits for your business and is an absolute must.

You’re here to look for ways to better your industrial safety. Lucky for you we have this article to give you some quick, easy, and actionable ways. However, before that, let’s have a deeper understanding of why you need to keep your manufacturing workplace safe.

The Importance of Keeping Your Manufacturing Business Safe

Photo Credit: Piotr Chrobot | unsplash

While you already know the impact of safety on the productivity of your manufacturing business, it’s considerably helpful to be reminded about its benefits.

Worker’s Retention – companies that have safe working environments will invite and retain plenty of hardworking employees. When companies practise safety measures, employees feel that the company cares about their wellbeing. This will make them more loyal to their employers and more likely to stay longer in the company.

Worker’s Productivity – workers who feel safe in their workplace are more likely to be productive than workers who are worried about their safety and more so if they have experienced work injuries and accidents in the past. Putting up ways to mitigate workplace hazards makes employees stay invested and committed to their job.

Business Finance – every time an employee runs into a workplace accident, the manufacturing company is held liable. This means your company could be in plenty of financial and legal trouble. While these are part of your budget, these can also be prevented.

Business Reputation – manufacturing companies that don’t have a safe work environment are more likely to develop an “unsafe employer” reputation quickly (which can damage your company’s reputation badly) compared to ones that do have workplace safety. In addition, companies that lack workplace safety are often perceived by the general public as unprofessional or negligent.

As you’re now aware of the consequences of neglecting to create a safe work environment, your manufacturing company, which carries higher risks of injuries and accidents to employees, should make a well-structured workplace safety plan to remedy it.

11 Safety Tips in Manufacturing Work Environment

Photo Credit: Oliver Hale | Unsplash

Caption: Make workplace safety a top-level priority.

Workplace safety in the manufacturing environment protects not only the lives of your employees but also your business. With that, it’s vital to support your workers’ safety education and training. Here are 11 safety tips you can practice in your workplace to improve a safer manufacturing environment:

1. Identify Workplace Safety Hazards

To start a safe environment, it’s imperative to identify and fully understand the potential hazard sources in your workplace. This should be your first step to protect employees in your company. Whether or not you’re a company that’s one of the Goyen valve distributors in the USA or a manufacturer of household goods in Canada, the most common hazards include falling, heavy machinery injury, electrocution, or danger from chemicals.

2. Early Reporting

Whatever position you hold in the company, don’t be afraid to take initiative especially when it comes to you and your colleague’s safety. If you see something that poses potential injuries, it’s best to remove the object yourself or report it to your supervisor right away. Supervisors are legally required to take action and keep employees safe, so informing them early could prevent any harm.

3. Make Safety Training a Priority

It’s simple, make manufacturing safety training a top-level concern. Identify training that is suitable for the required job and conduct this training. This is to help employees better understand things like why forklift operator training is important, why safety gears are enforced, and how to properly use safety gear like ear mufflers, goggles, hard hats, or respiratory masks.

4. Ensure Equipment is Used Properly

One of the most prevalent causes of workplace accidents is the misuse of equipment, gear, machines, or tools necessary for the job. Workers should ensure that every piece of equipment used is appropriate for the intended purpose. To prevent hazards, maintain equipment regularly or inspect tools before using.

5. Conduct Drills

Does every one of the employees in your manufacturing site know what to do when emergencies or natural disasters happen? To provide safety for your employees, conduct emergency drills in the event of fires or earthquakes. Show them the emergency exits, discuss evacuation procedures, and let employees practice different drills to guarantee they know exactly what to do during emergencies.

6. Make Regular Inspections

For company supervisors, create an audit checklist and review hazards and employees’ suggestions on safety concerns. It’s also best to outline all the injuries, illnesses, and other accidents to keep track of the safety concern and to create a corrective action.

7. Manage Safety Issues Right Away

Being able to manage safety issues in the aftermath of an accident in your workplace is highly critical as it can be a matter of life and death. You need to ensure that when an accident happens, you and your team are well-prepared to deal with the situation quickly. After all, there are plenty of things that can happen in 30 minutes.

8. Prevent Falling

Falling is the second most prevalent cause of workplace injury. This is why it’s vital to clean your work environment whenever liquids or other potential objects (that can cause slips, trips, and falls) are visible. Don’t forget to check holes, nails, or loose boards from the floor as well.

9. Post Signage, Labels, and Posters

Create warning signs and make them obvious. Put up signage in hazardous and restricted areas and make posts clear and transparent. Signage and labels should help employees be reminded of the potential risks even the most experienced ones.

10. Designate a Safety and Health Representative

While safety consultants are the best persons to turn to when it comes to workplace safety, designating a safety and health representative can help managers and supervisors stay connected with the employees about safety and health concerns. Ultimately, reps help other reluctant employees discuss their safety concerns.

11. Take Work Breaks

When employees are too tired to work, they are more likely to commit mistakes that usually end up with fatal injuries or accidents. Plus, repetitive action throughout the day without rest can lead workers to experience fatigue. To prevent this, ensure everyone takes regular breaks to keep them alert and productive.