Safety Do’s And Don’ts For Your Manufacturing Business

As a business owner, you will understand the need to put safety first.

When you invest in workplace safety, you will:

• Avoid a costly lawsuit
• Protect your reputation
• Improve employee morale
• Experience less downtime

Safety is important for all businesses, but it is especially important for manufacturing businesses. When machinery is being used, there is always the potential for accidents to happen. Then there are the chemicals that might be used within the manufacturing processes, and the need to use tools that could be dangerous in the wrong hands.

So, if you run a manufacturing business, or if you are considering the possibility, these are the do’s and don’ts that should always be adhered to. 

DO: PROVIDE THE NECESSARY TRAINING

To let somebody use a piece of machinery or equipment without the necessary training is obviously foolish, so make sure your employees know how to use the various tools at their disposal. Employees should also receive general health and safety training, as there could be other risks within the workplace that could instigate an accident.

If your company is ever involved in a worksite accident and you don’t have the necessary training records like OSHA certifications and your employees are not up to date with standards approved by OSHA this can become a subject for some serious penalties and fines. These kinds of certifications are very important for companies in the U.S. especially if workers are engaged in activities with heavy lifting equipment like forklifts.

DON’T: LET EMPLOYEES WORK WITHOUT THE CORRECT WORK GEAR

You need to protect your employees with the various pieces of gear that are necessary for their safety. We are thinking of safety goggles, ear protectors, and reinforced work gloves, as examples. With this in mind, make sure that all items of clothing needed are easily accessible, and replace them when necessary, especially when wear and tear has taken place. 

DO:  MAINTAIN ITEMS EQUIPMENT ON A REGULAR BASIS

If your machines aren’t checked and maintained on a regular basis, they could cause injury to the people operating them. And while that is the most serious consequence, you have to remember that work will grind to a halt if your machines fail to operate properly. So, make sure the correct members of your team carry out the required checks and then hire the relevant people to carry out the maintenance needed, such as DTS who are specialists in repairing and maintaining lathe machines and the like. To learn more about lathe machines check out this awesome guide from Summitmt.

DON’T: FORGET THE IMPORTANCE OF SIGNAGE

Even the best of us can get forgetful but with visual prompts, we can be reminded of what we should be doing. And that is true for your employees, as with the right signs displayed, you will be able to reduce the potential for accidents. So, you might have a sign that reminds your employees to kit themselves out with the right gear. You might have a sign that visually demonstrates the steps needed to use a piece of machinery. And you might have other safety signs that cover all of the other health and safety aspects that are relevant to your particular business. 

So, follow our do’s and don’ts for the safety of your employees. Chances are, you probably don’t need reminding anyway, but when it comes to the care of your staff, reminders are always useful. Be sure to remind your employees of these things too, and for the sake of your business, don’t become complacent about any of the aspects we have covered here today.