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3 Safety Measures For Manufacturing Facilities

StrategyDriven Resource Management Article |Manufacturing Facilities|3 Safety Measures For Manufacturing FacilitiesFeeling safe is an important aspect of life. Being safe at home, on the road or in a job, are factors that everyone desires to have. Since being safe and feeling safe are both highly sought after, society has developed procedures for almost everything that we do. Included in this is workplace safety.

Workplace safety is important. It ensures that all employees know how to work safely, avoid any accidents, and reduce the risk of coming into contact with any harm. Understandably, there are certain industries in which the workplace is more dangerous. They will also have a higher risk rate than others. In these environments, such as a manufacturing facility, the term “safety first” is more than just a well-used phrase.

These are a few safety measures to implement in a manufacturing facility that can help to protect the safety of all those involved.

Conducting Risk Assessments

To protect yourself and your employees, you need to be constantly aware of all the things that could potentially go wrong. You will also need to know what you can do, as an employer, to prevent a dangerous situation from occurring. For instance, avoid taking unnecessary risks and remain calm should you find yourself in a dangerous situation.

Every company should conduct a risk assessment as a way of identifying and preventing work hazards. Some companies go a step further and have a safety officer. The role of the safety officer is to recognize and analyze hazards within the workplace. Having a thorough investigation means that both you and your employees are aware of the risks and know how to avoid them.

Ensuring Electrical Safety

Handling electrics, whether it be circuit switches, reactors, breakers, or transformers, can be risky if not performed properly. If an issue were to occur, your workers need to perform maintenance safely. One of the best ways to do this is through a group operated disconnect switch.
With a group operated disconnect switch, it allows workers to confirm where there is an open-air gap exists within their electrical sources. Using a group operated disconnect switch, they can safely perform emergency maintenance or routine check-ups as and when needed.

Knowing How To Operate Heavy Machinery

Within a manufacturing facility, employees will more than likely be in contact with heavy machinery. Each piece of machinery should be in working condition. It should also have all of the manufacturer’s safety guards correctly installed. Whenever a defect or malfunction is detected, immediately contact the maintenance department, and review the instruction manual.

Despite being a common risk, hazardous manual handling remains an underrated risk in too many industries. A general rule is, if you have not undergone proper training in the technical aspects of operating a piece of machinery, do not use it.

Putting Safety First

Every company, regardless of the industry that they operate within, should ensure that their employees are well aware of the safety procedures in place. They should also ensure that the work environment is safe.

All employees should feel safe when entering work at a manufacturing facility. They should not need to worry about working in an unsafe environment. Ultimately, with factory work, the consequences have the potential to be severe.

4 Tools To Enhance Health & Safety At Work

StrategyDriven Human Performance Management Article |Health and Safety at Work|4 Tools To Enhance Health & Safety At WorkWhen you’re running a company, you must follow the correct health and safety procedures, to keep your staff members safe. Depending on what type of company you run, the safety concerns will be different. For a few general tools which may be of use, these cover everything from lifting to ergonomics and wellbeing.

1. NIOSH Lift Calculator

The NIOSH Lift Calculator application can support your staff to safely lift heavy loads. First up, you have to input the lifting conditions, and next, the app will give you a recommended weight. You can use the application for single lifting tasks, or for multiple lifting tasks. To protect workers from physical stress and back issues, the app suggests a lifting index of CLI or under.

2. Incident eye

The Incident Eye application helps companies to locate and protect staff, in a disaster or emergency. These events might be natural disasters or terror threats. Using the Incident Eye app, you can prepare yourself should the worse happen. The software supports you to offer help for staff in need, send relevant info, and get real-time updates. With platforms like this, you’ll have added peace of mind, in the event of disaster.

3. Welltok

Welltok is a health management app created for businesses, it can help staff to monitor their progress, and create wellness goals. There are lots of wellness activities, along with games, quizzes, and tips. One leading feature is the social wellbeing community, where staff can share tips, and experiences. The tool can support staff with lots of areas of wellness, whether it’s social, financial, physical, or mental.

Employee burnout is a growing concern across many different industries, and so it’s important to ensure your staff are taking care of their wellbeing. It can be helpful to offer extra resources including wellbeing workshops, and mental health based training.

4 . Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the perfect application to improve wellness and health in the workplace. The app provides advice about setting up a desk ergonomically, and guidelines on stretching. Employees are encouraged to take stretching breaks, and there are detailed instructions to learn these stretching techniques.

With the help of ergonomics, you can target certain parts of the body, and track your progress. Ergonomics provides lots of advice about improving physical health and mental health. It’s essential that all staff are provided with Ergonomic furniture, whether it’s chairs, desks or keyboards. To keep your office a safe place, this is the perfect application.

Further advice

To keep your employees safe and healthy you must follow employment law carefully. Employment law sets out the legal standards for the workplace, including workplace conditions, contracts, and statutory requirements. Failing to comply with employment law can leave employers with complex lawsuits, such as the Summer Uchin vs. Condo Roccia pregnancy bias case.

Lastly, ensure that you frequently update your health and safety policies, and provide your staff with regular health and safety training.

Top Reasons Why Workplace Safety Is Crucial In 2020

StrategyDriven Risk Management Article | Top Reasons Why Workplace Safety Is Crucial In 2020

Everybody desires to work in a protected and safe environment, making workplace safety a priority. In the US, 5,250 people died from work-related injuries, but the figure is expected to reduce by the close of 2020 due to the pandemic. This is why employees and employers are expected to take precautionary steps to ensure safety at the workplace – as everybody benefits from workplace safety. How have you created a thorough safety protocol for your employees? Here are some reasons why you should.

1. To limit a resurgence of the pandemic

Across the world, there has been a worry of a possible resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is why employers should ensure that they do their part in preventing such an occurrence from happening. Ensure that your employees follow the safety protocols highlighted by WHO. Be sure that employees showing symptoms of the virus are isolated from a healthier workforce. In doing so, you can play a part in limiting an insurgence.

2. Statutory office inspections by government health officials

Formal office inspections are carried out in different ways, depending on your form of business. They range from safety tours to samplings, surveys, and incident inspections. The first deals with the general inspection of your office. Safety sampling is a systematic approach to specific risky activities or workplace areas. A survey is similar to safety sampling; however, it focuses on a general overview of dangerous processes and activities.

An incident inspection is only carried out by health and safety authorities after a workplace accident, injury, or death. In some instances, it may be required when an employee reports a case of ill health to the enforcing authority, based on negligent office processes. These checks are increasing this year, and you do not want to be in any trouble.

3. To reduce liabilities

A safe work environment would prevent you from being held liable for injuries or other health wrongs. For example, Walmart got sued for a wrongful death lawsuit when two of its employees contracted the virus and died from complications. Every step necessary must be taken to prioritize health and safety so as to prevent such lawsuits. For example, if you work in an office with long-standing water pipe issues, you should seek services such as Water Mitigation from HL Restoration to resolve these problems and avoid getting sued for putting staff at risk. No company wishes to be slapped with such a suit.

4. Continually changing data

Data on the Coronavirus disease changes every day, putting more burden on research and safety professionals. As scientists learn more about COVID-19, businesses become better equipped to handle the crises and its ripple effect on operations. With a second wave threatening the United States, it is quite challenging for companies to forecast correctly. As a result, they need to be extra careful while adhering to all protocols set out by the WHO and CDC.

The world is moving into new trajectories, especially concerning health and safety. Follow these tips to ensure that your company is not left behind.

5 Safety Tips that Impact Business

StrategyDriven Risk Management Article |Safety Tips|5 Safety Tips that Impact BusinessImplementing subpar safety regulations in a workplace does not mean saving a lot of money in the business. Rather, it reflects a future problem that may affect the entire people involved in it. Failure to regularly enforce safety standards could lead to some consequences such as reduced productivity, fines, and worker compensation claims.

As a business owner, you do not have to worry about making major changes in the safety measures within the company. There are a few simple safety tips that can make an impact to you, your employees, and even your business partners.

1.Safety Protocols

The first thing to do at work is to implement workplace safety protocols. This means that you should introduce safety regulations from day one. Hire professionals who have expertise in this matter. Seek advice from experienced business owners. Some employers even communicate with a physical therapist to understand all the physical demands of job roles within the company.

2. Cleanliness and Orderliness

An untidy working environment can cause unnecessary accidents. Make sure that everything is placed where they are supposed to be. Check if all boxes are well-stacked, watch out for spills and clean them immediately.

From office supplies to cleaning tools, they should be in proper places and kept in an organized manner. Regular inspections are a must since they help spot potential dangers like messy floors, disorganized tools, and tangled cords.

3. Communication Regarding Safety

This is one of the most important safety tips that many startup business owners miss in the process of implementing safety regulations at work. You should encourage your employees to communicate about safety without hesitation.

There are many ways to do so – a suggestion box, pre-shift huddles, or end-of-the-week summary. Think over what works effectively for the team. You can reinforce safety cultures by conducting awareness and proper training for equipment handling, near-injury misses, identified hazards, and other specific incidences.

4. Providing The Right Tools

As an employer, you should know what tools and equipment your team needs. Providing proper tools and equipment helps achieve a safer working space and better production. However, it does not end there. Make sure that these things are serviced, inspected and clean regularly. You would not want to deal with machine malfunctions and workplace hazards.

5. Regular Meetings

Conduct regular meetings that tackle safety in your workplace. When it comes to safety, you should not worry about awareness and readiness. During your meetings, perform a brief review of safety rules. Do not forget to discuss how to keep the entire work environment safe and work-friendly.

For David Rowland, Head of Marketing at Engage EHS, any business person worth their salt will have an in-depth knowledge of health and safety policy and practice. This is because health and safety is not only an end in itself, it is a means to an end towards a more efficient business that has an improved bottom line and greater brand loyalty amongst consumers.

These are only a five of safety tips you can consider to help your business grow. At the same time, you also guarantee that every person who is working for your company will be safe and sound. If you maintain this important aspect of business, it is likely to prosper and last long in the industry you are in.

For more business tips, you can visit Hivelife.com. This site is perfect for both startups and experienced employers in various industries.

Vital Strategies To Improve Workplace Safety

Are you prioritising workplace safety? There are so many reasons why you should be. After all, it is not only the ethical responsibility of those in charge but shows in an obvious way that you care about your employees, something that in turn can help to keep them motivated and loyal.

Additionally, by avoiding accidents and threats to safety before they have even begun, you can minimise additional risk to your business, including financial and public relations ones. To that end, take some time to learn how to improve your company’s workplace safety today. You’llYou’ll be glad you did.

Employee training

There is nothing better than comprehensive training for your workers if you want to improve safety in your business. Studies also show that well-trained employees ot only recognise and report potential risks much more frequently, but feel safer and more confident in the work they do as well.

With that in mind, thorough and up to date safety courses need to be completed by every worker. Be sure that they cover each aspect of their role, and provide additional outsourcing training for any heavy machinery or exceptionally high-risk situation such as working with chemical hazards.

Reward the behaviour you want to see

One of the most straightforward ways to encourage safer workplace behaviour is to reward it when you see it. Now, this does have to be done with care because giving out stickers and badges to adults isn’t going to work!

Instead, making the praise and rewards, you offer relevant for the people that it applies to is vital. For example, you could run a system of spot checks and give out raffle tickets to those displaying safe behaviour. Then over time, the team with the best safety record would collect the maximum amount of chances to win a prize. The prize itself needs to be worth the effort too, so a more significant bonus like a weekend away, or even extra time off paid often does the trick.

Signage is crucial

If you want your workplace to be as safe as possible, you mustn’t scrimp on the signage. It is always better to have more safety signage that you need. However, clarity is essential so you must make sure that information for people reading the sign you place in your workplace do not become overwhelming and therefore muddy the message.

Use occupational experts

What you may not realise is that there are a whole load of experts out there that can help you improve safety through your business. In particular, those specialising in occupational medicine will be able to tour your premises and find the areas that are most at risk of causing injury to your employees.

Physical therapists and health and safety experts can also help you work on and improve the ergonomics in your business. That is, setting things up in a way that doesn’t encourage injury or repetitive strain on any part of the human body. Something that can help you avoid longer-term injuries too.

Listen to your employees

Often it is workers on the front lines that notice issues with safety before anyone else. Unfortunately, unless action is taken at the management level, such problems can be left without improvement.

To that end, you must listen to your employees when it comes to safety and never dismiss their concerns. Where possible, instituting a formal process for reporting issues concerning safety is the best approach here. The reason is that it helps you to see where the main problems lie and also track what you are doing to rectify them.

Cleaning and organisation

A clean and organised workplace is one that is most likely to have fewer accidents and injuries. In fact, because of the current situation, proper cleaning and sanitisation are just about as vital as they have ever been.

The thing is that it is super tough to keep a business organised and clean without the correct infrastructure. That is you need space in which to store items quickly when you aren’t using them, as well as the right cleaning materials and training on how to use them. Even having a schedule of what needs to be cleaned in each area every day will help make sure that the correct standards are upheld.

Provide the right equipment

Have you tried to open a can with a knife rather than a can opener? If so you will know that not choosing equipment specially made for the task in hand can make that task instantly more risky and likely to end in injury or accident. Well, the same applies to your business, and that is why it is so essential to provide your employees with the right and well-maintained equipment at work.

Of course, this applies to the equipment and infrastructure that you install within your premises too. Fortunately, when it comes to safety, there are plenty of things you can use like this mini ball valve which provides a manual shutoff for a liquid or gas system, even in a small space. The latter being something which will give that extra level of safety for your employees.

Breaks are vital

When you are under pressure, it is easy to encourage your employees to work as fast, for as long as they can without a break. However, studies have shown that breaks are an essential part of maintaining safety because they help to keep workers more focused and give their body a rest from repetitive actions as well.

With that in mind, it is your duty as an employer to set regular break times and ensure that workers abide by and use these.

Include safety issues in your meetings

Another way that you can boost workplace safety is to make sure that it is an integrated part of the way you run your business. That means you talk about it in meetings, and remind people of any particular issue is daily briefings.

When your employees get used to talking and thinking about ways that safety can be improved as a regular part of their day, you will find that incidents and accidents decrease.