Blogs

5 Key Mandatory Safety Measures in Manufacturing Facilities

By James Mellor posted 07-20-2020 19:44

  

Safety within manufacturing facilities is as important to workers as it is to factory owners. It is essential for the protection of workers from illnesses, injuries, and even death. For factory owners, it saves you from property damage, workers’ compensation, OSHA fines, recovery costs, and lost reputations. Here are five mandatory safety measures to observe at manufacturing facilities.

Safe housekeeping

A cluttered work area with all manner of equipment, items, exposed conduits and cables, and cylinder hoses are a disaster in waiting. Greasy or slippery floors are patently dangerous to staff moving around the factory. 

Exposed poor quality power cords can spark off a fire hazard or electric shock on wet floors. Prioritize order in the storage of all equipment, clean and clear walkways to avoid fires, slips, and falls.

Using poor quality conduits in high-temperature installations in the work area is tempting fate and not good practice. FRE Composites have excellent products for high-temperature installations for safety. Their BreathSaver SW and XW conduit systems are class rated and safe to use for this purpose.

Safety training for workers

Train all workers in your plant on safety protocols, including temporary casuals, apprentices, visiting consultants, and anyone else working there at all times. Make the training an on-going process mixed with random inspections and drills. Let workers understand that it is in their best interest to observe the factory’s safety procedures diligently.

Direct that only qualified workers be allowed to operate specific machines to avoid on-site accidents, injuries, and damage to equipment. Insist on the use of material-handling equipment for efficiency and personal safety.

Install guarding mechanisms

To protect limb and life, install guards in areas that have automated cutting machines. Workers must know how to use these while operating the machines and follow instructions diligently. A hand straying into the way of a plasma-cutting machine is as good as lost. 

Other factory sections have toxic chemicals and hazardous radiation that is harmful to human life. Install guardrails or controlled doors with clearly visible warning signs and lights to avoid accidental entry. Assign a supervisor to inspect all guard systems at the start of every shift to maintain safety.

Use of safety gear

Make personal protective equipment mandatory in the manufacturing plant for all workers. This is also a mandatory requirement by OSHA for all metalworkers on the factory floor. The PPE kit includes full-body suits, gloves, hard hats, earplugs, respirators, safety hoods, and heavy-soled shoes.

It is not enough that the factory supplies these safety items, but that their use is made mandatory by internal safety protocols. Handling of chemicals, electric arc welding, and movement of metallic objects is normal in a manufacturing plant and has inherent risks. These PPEs protect workers from electrocution risks, radiation burns, cuts, and toxic fumes.

Assess your risk exposure

The foregoing are basic safety measures expected of every manufacturing company. However, each factory has peculiar safety concerns that may not be apparent unless a professional risk assessment is done. 

Engage a plant assessor to audit your factory for any hazards and the level of risk they pose. Use the assessor’s report and recommendations to mitigate any safety threats in time to avoid accidents.

You can also adopt the Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) into your safety protocols to help you monitor and maintain standards easily.

Create and maintain a safe working environment at your manufacturing plant that meets the OSHA regulations at all times. The physical and psychological health and well-being of your workers are important for increased productivity and company reputation.

0 comments
4 views

Permalink