How Industrial Equipment Can Help You Make Safety a Priority

Thousands of work-related injuries and deaths can be prevented each year with industrial equipment. 

Manufacturing can be a dangerous industry to work in. 

Machinery is constantly in motion and chemicals of all kinds are used to manufacture products and materials. 

OSHA created standards to protect workers from these potential hazards, and with industrial equipment, manufacturers can align their facilities with these standards. 

Learn more about OSHA’s standards for manufacturing and how industrial equipment can help you meet your safety goals below. 

Safety in industrial environments 

What safety standards are set in place? 

OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is a governmental body dedicated to workplace safety standards in the United States.  

Prioritizing safety is important for all industries, but it is especially necessary in construction and manufacturing due to the dangers present in the workplace. NRTC Automation upholds safety as the number one priority in all our services. 

Listed below are the top safety standards that all manufacturing facilities are expected to use: 

• Lockout tagout (LOTO): LOTO are procedures used to prevent equipment from running during repairs and maintenance as well as to prevent spills and leakage of hazardous materials. A lockout device will keep unaware individuals from attempting to use to machinery or materials. A tag will include information about who created the tag and the time of placement. A thorough inspection must be performed if the tag is to be removed. 

• Permit-required confined spaces (permit space): Workplaces with spaces that are too small for people but large enough for workers to perform tasks is considered a confined space. These spaces require permits from OSHA for workers to access. Examples of confined spaces are pipelines, tunnels, and tanks. They may have some of the following characteristics: exposed live wires, heat stress, converging walls or sloping floors, and more. 

• Personal protection equipment (PPE): PPE is gear worn by workers to protect them from injury and death. There are different PPE designed for specific hazards, including heat, impact, optical radiation, chemicals, and dust. Common PPE worn by manufacturing workers include safety goggles, face shields, and hardhats. 

• Machine guards: Using machine guards is especially important in manufacturing where machines are constantly working around human workspaces. There are over 800 deaths per year that could have been prevented with a machine guard. There are several parts that needed to be guarded on a machine, such as the point of operation and around any blades. Each piece of equipment is unique in what machine guards it requires. 

• Warning signs: OSHA requires certain warning signs to be used in areas where there are hazards such as dangerous chemicals or heavy machinery. They must be able to be universally understood, like using a bright yellow color for caution signs and red for danger signs. Manufacturing facilities must also contain signs for first aid stations and emergency eye wash stations. 

• Employee compliance: Last but certainly not least, employee compliance is an important part of maintaining a safe facility. Employees must first be aware of the safety standards required by OSHA and the employer must provide the necessary PPE and other tools to keep employees safe. Then, employees must conform to safety standards to protect themselves and others from harm. OSHA inspectors can inspect a facility without warning to ensure safety standards are being met. 

With these safety standards set in place, manufacturing workers can perform their jobs without fear of injury or worse, creating a productive and efficient facility. 

How industrial equipment can help you make safety a priority 

Industrial equipment can do more than increase throughput and capacity in your facility. It can also help you prioritize safety for your workers. 

1. INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT CAN MAKE WORKSPACES MORE ERGONOMIC. 

According to OSHA, workspaces lacking ergonomics are a significant cause of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and injuries; in fact, they are the most frequently cited cause of lost productivity. 

Using industrial equipment to enhance the ergonomics of your employees’ workspaces is key to preventing potentially long-term injuries. For example, a turntable provides easy access to materials or equipment while helping workers waste less energy and time on extra movement. 

Check out iGAM's Fibromat Heavy Load Positioning Turntable for a great deal on safety equipment for your employees. 

2. INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS CAN HANDLE THE REPETITIVE TASKS. 

Industrial robots are designed specifically for repetitive tasks like material handling, welding, and more.  

Repetitive tasks are another source of MSD and injuries. For example, material handling can cause shoulder problems that affect workers for a lifetime.  

Additionally, repetitive tasks can be dull and cause workers to drop their attention, which can not only cause problems for product quality and productivity, but it can also pose serious risk to the workers’ health. 

By adding an industrial robot to your facility, you can increase productivity while protecting your workers from unnecessary harm. 

3. INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS CAN ALSO HANDLE THE HEAVY LIFTING. 

Industrial robots, such as this R-2000IC-210F FANUC robot, have a payload capacity of several hundred pounds. Some robots can even lift several tons! 

With an industrial robot, you can ensure that heavy materials, parts, products, or equipment are expertly handled without fear of harming your employees. 

4. ACCESS EQUIPMENT PREVENT FALLS. 

Finally, industrial access equipment such as stairs, lifts, platforms, and ladders assist manufacturing workers with getting to hard-to-reach places without putting themselves in danger. 

Falls are the leading cause of death in construction. Along with the right safety gear, access equipment can prevent tragedy in the workplace. 

Visit iGAM to shop for stairs, ladders, and platforms for your employees. 

Get on top of safety in your facility 

Creating and maintaining a safe work environment requires consistent effort and vigilance. However, it’s well worth it when your employees are satisfied knowing their safety is secured.  

Work with NRTC Automation and iGAM to protect your employees, no matter what size, phase, or industry you’re in. 

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION WITH NRTC AUTOMATION 

NRTC Automation is dedicated to providing high-value industrial automation and manufacturing equipment solutions to all our customers.  

From decommissioning and tear out to industrial robotic training services to custom flexible work cells, NRTC is the key to integrate your workplace. With personalized training and custom-built designs, NRTC Automation is the destination for all your industrial automation and manufacturing equipment services. 

Visit NRTC Automation today for full-service solutions to improve productivity in your facility.