3 Ways to Increase Safety in the Workplace
Safety should be at the forefront of every workplace, and strict safety standards and measures should be followed. Taking steps to ensure that safety protocols are in place, OSHA guidelines are being followed, and employees are properly trained, are all key to curating a safety-first work environment.
Read more to learn about three ways to increase workplace safety.
ENSURE A SAFE WORK AREA & PROVIDE PROPER GEAR
Making sure workers are able to perform their job in a safe environment should be an everyday consideration in an industrial workplace. According to OSHA, 14 people die from work-related accidents every day, and this can be prevented with simple steps towards overall safety.
Ensure not only that there are perimeters around manufacturing equipment, but clear and readable signs work to enforce safety. Proper signage communicates risks and dangers, as well as instructions, and perimeters keep employees and visitors in proper and safe locations.
Along with clear signage and proper perimeters, it’s important to also keep workspaces clear of extra clutter and the floor clear of debris. With over 700 injuries a year attributed to slips and falls, something that may seem insignificant can add up.
Each job requires its own sets of skills and tools, and with that can come gear, or personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE is a common term for protective equipment and gear designed to minimize injury or harm should an accident occur.
PPE can vary, from hard hats to gloves, to proper footwear and clothing. It should be regularly maintained, fit properly, and be inspected regularly as part of reoccurring maintenance.
When looking to outfit your employees with proper PPE, ask the following questions:
When will the employees need protection?
What kind of PPE will be required to protect workers from accidents?
Are the employees trained to properly wear, remove, and adjust their PPE?
Are there any restrictions and if so, how might they affect the worker or job?
Is the equipment being properly cared for and stored?
HAVE HEAT-RELATED SAFETY MEASURES
Although industrial manufacturing workers are not often subjected to direct sunlight, heat and heat-based illnesses can still be a safety issue during warmer months. There are steps you can take to ensure that your workers are protected, whether inside or out.
Make sure the facility your workers are in has proper ventilation and cooling systems. Additionally, insulating hot pipes can keep temperatures low.
Monitor the heat index each day, especially in facilities that might have less insulation than an office space. OSHA recommends using the heat index as a screening tool to know when to put extra cooling measures in place.
Train and communicate with your team to identify the signs of overheating or heat-based illnesses. Knowing the signs for themselves and others will ensure a safer overall team environment when dealing with heat.
Ensure all workers have easy access to locations to cool off, as well as hydration areas. Giving overheating bodies a break keeps overall safety and productivity up.
LISTEN TO FEEDBACK AND TRAIN ACCORDINGLY
Overall, the most important thing that can help increase safety in the workplace is proper employee training and listening to feedback.
A proactive approach to training is key. Along with the heat based training mentioned above, investing in hazard awareness and potential accident training can work to prevent not only accidents from themselves, but from the team as a whole. OSHA has several recommended practices for safety and health programs on their website that should be utilized.
Additionally, ensuring a healthy two-way communication between employee and employer encourages direct correspondence about safety issues and concerns either party might have. Making sure that employers are engaging with employees about safety measures, precautions, and updates guarantees a safer workplace.
A new factor coming into play in workplace safety and training is the proactive implementation of artificial intelligence. Using AI when monitoring a workspace can ensure employees haven’t lapsed in safety practices. Investing in AI that can analyze footage allows businesses to alert workers to safety hazards they might have encountered when looking back on the footage.
Surveillance footage can also enforce safety procedures such as proper use of PPE, ensuring vehicle and large machinery safety, and proper fall protection protocol.
NRTC Automation and Safety
NRTC Automation offers a variety of engineering contract services and training for manufacturers. Contact us today to learn more about our automation and manufacturing services that are aimed at minimizing disruption and downtime in the work area, with an emphasis on safety, speed, and efficiency.
Contact NRTC today for more information on how our engineering contract services and training can help your business.