The Top 5 Safety Hazards in a Manufacturing Workplace
– May 16, 2018
Hazards in the workplace and employee safety are always on a plant manager’s mind, including what can be done to prevent workplace injury. A significant factor towards enticing employees to work for you is providing a safe environment to work in and the promise of support if something should happen. With OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) conducting random inspections of the workplace, safety and consistent workplace conditions are fundamental for continued employee safety and passed regulations. There are countless situations that can be hazardous for manufacturing companies, following are the top five:
Falls
Falling, tripping, and slipping on loose materials all contribute to falls being one of the top three causes for injury, time off, or death in the manufacturing workplace. Keeping an eye out not only for where one is walking but what is in one’s path getting there is just as important as wearing safety gear.
Machine Guarding
Heavy machinery being used every day without issue can lead to complacency or cut corners when it comes to safety. But an improperly installed safeguard can be just as dangerous to employees, if not more, because an incident can happen at any time during normal operation. OSHA cites this hazard as the #1 reason for fines and safety breaches.
Powered Industrial Trucks
Workplace deaths and injuries that involve powered industrial equipment is another top three hazard that workers face in the manufacturing industry. Proper training and procedures should be followed at all times, something that OSHA will gladly provide.
Electrical Hazards
Besides the common vocational hazards faced by engineers and electricians, a manufacturing setting can contain electrical hazards that put employees at risk. Unfastened electrical panels, exposed wiring, improperly installed machinery, and countless other opportunities for electrocution put employees at risk. Verifying that equipment is properly installed, wiring is insulated, and electrical panels are locked are simple steps to keep workers safe while working alongside electrical components.
Lockout / Tagout
While servicing heavy machinery and other components in the manufacturing industry, the correct procedures must be executed to ensure accidental start-up and energy discharge do not happen. Technicians are especially vulnerable when working deep within machinery, so there must be absolute certainty that warning signs, lockout safeguards, and employee warnings are distributed.
At Forge Resources Group, employee safety is always our top priority. FRG is dedicated to providing a safe, clean atmosphere for everyone to perform their job duties and always has safety equipment for employees. Something FRG proudly does is host safety lunches for our manufacturing employees, celebrating their hard work and attention to detail with a catered lunch. It shows that we care about them and want to encourage them to stay safe as well. Everyone wins when everybody is safe!