Is your industrial workplace safe?
The industrial workplace can be a dangerous place, as the 2.8 million people who suffer workplace injuries each year would tell you. But it doesn’t have to be! There are many things you can do to help protect yourself and your co-workers while you are on the job.
Read on for our top 9 safety tips to help you stay safe in the workplace.
1. Proper Training
Anyone that uses equipment, including tools, needs to be sure that they know how to use them safely. That means appropriate training and certifications, even if they don’t regularly use the equipment.
Ensure that anyone’s certifications are up-to-date. Machinery and best practices change regularly, so having different workers following different safety practices can be as dangerous as not following them at all.
2. Appropriate Clothing
Employees in an industrial workplace should always wear protective clothing. Even items as inconsequential as non-slip shoes and correctly fitting gloves can prevent significant injuries or mistakes.
The exact requirements will differ between every workplace, but workers should always be protected against their environment and any predictable accidents.
3. Label Hazardous Zones
You should have clear labeling and signage for hazardous areas. For example, where you store dangerous equipment. Also, use tape or paint black and white stripes on the floor to mark these zones.
4. First Aid Training
Wall-mounted first aid stations are a must for dealing with emergencies. Stock them with all the relevant medical supplies that employees might need.
Also, provide first aid and safety training for all employees and repeat regularly. It’s essential to make sure everyone is aware of the work safety tips and emergency information.
5. Clear Emergency Exits
Never place anything in front of any emergency exits or emergency machine shut-off points. It’s surprising how often you see forklifts, ladders, and other items blocking the way. This could prevent a safe exit from the building in emergencies.
6. Avoid Heavy-Lifting
For heavy- lifting, provide aids like forklifts, cranes, and wheelbarrows. Otherwise, you and your employees are at risk of injuring yourselves. Also, make sure there is appropriate training on the correct lifting techniques.
7. Understand Workplace Risks
It’s vital that all employees know the workplace risks. Carry out a workplace risk assessment and give this to the workforce. Important things to note are fire hazards, emergency protocol, and first aid locations. Also, provide an FAQ of workplace safety awareness tips.
8. Regular Servicing
Don’t wait for tools and machinery to break before carrying out a full service on them. You should try to prevent malfunctions where possible. Proper maintenance should be regular and thorough and include:
- Inspections
- Test Runs
- Replacements and adjustments
- Log keeping
This maintenance should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. This ensures it’s done to the best industry standard.
9. Regular Breaks
By providing frequent breaks, you’ll help employees feel more alert and fresh. There should be a cool, comfortable area for them to rest. Regular, shorter breaks can be more effective than a single, long one. It will help employees focus, reduce stress, and help maintain satisfaction.
Safety Tips at Work
In the last four decades, the number of workplace deaths has decreased by almost 2/3rds and continues to trend downwards. By following these nine safety tips, you can do your part to keep these numbers down and help create a safer workplace.
If you want to keep your heavy industry machines running safely and efficiently, contact us today.