In manufacturing, safety should always be the top priority. These facilities are typically loaded with potential hazards, from heavy stacked items to dangerous machines. Let’s take a look at what you need to do to keep your team members safe.
Don’t Slack on Safety
Written Safety Plan
The first step is to create a comprehensive written manufacturing safety plan. Take federal, state, and local regulations into account, as well as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requirements. Make sure all of your employees know exactly where and how to access the plan.
Safety Training
Be sure to provide safety training to all new employees as part of the onboarding process. Their on-the-job training should also reinforce these lessons. But even your most seasoned employees will forget details over time, so everyone should take a refresher course at least annually. Also, hold weekly or monthly safety meetings during which everyone can weigh in on how to improve safety in your facility.
Culture of Safety
It’s easy to cut corners when trying to complete a big project. However, promoting a culture of safety can help remind workers not to take the easy way out. Empower everyone to correct basic safety issues, including refusing to work with a machine that they haven’t been trained to operate. Provide incentives for following safe work practices and encourage team members to say something when they notice anything unsafe.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
You are responsible for providing all the PPE that your workers need. This could include anything from hard hats to respirators. And don’t forget hearing protection, which is essential in a loud manufacturing facility.
Site Walkthroughs
Walk the entire facility several times per day, looking for any spills or other hazards. Teach employees to block off unsafe areas right away, and how to properly address each situation. Be especially careful if chemicals are used anywhere on site. You’ll need to provide material safety data sheets (MSDS) for every chemical, along with fume hoods, if appropriate, and a chemical spill safety station. Always check in with your team members during your walkthroughs to get any feedback they might have.
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