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A Safe Work Environment Improves Productivity

In a manufacturing environment safety should always be the number one priority. Although the challenge of producing a part on time, within spec, and on quality can be tantalizing, safety measures should never be overlooked. Several factors can determine whether your plant is safe or hazardous.

An effective manufacturing plant layout contributes to high production and efficiency levels. The layout of a plant can also be a safety concern. Raw materials needed for production should be stored in a defined area close to where production begins; transporting raw materials long distances within a manufacturing plant can be dangerous. Clearly defined work areas help to decrease safety hazards as employees are aware of the work being done in each area and can wear the appropriate safety attire. To avoid injury, raw material and delivery areas should be defined and clearly identifiable. When this is true, companies avoid the possibility of employees wondering on to the loading area where they may not be seen and become injured.

In a manufacturing plant, people are always on the move delivering parts to the next operation. Because of this, an outlined flow of traffic should exist to segregate forklift and pedestrian traffic. If traffic cannot be segregated, employees that drive lifts should be trained in the appropriate speeds and the use of the horn to notify pedestrians of oncoming hazards. Reducing blind spots will also decrease the number of traffic accidents.

The processes involved in producing metal components such as, grinding, punching, pressing, stamping, cutting, and shearing can be very loud and have damaging effects on hearing. It is important to ensure that noise levels do not exceed set standards. If standards are exceeded, noise controls will likely be required. Employees should wear hearing protection to help shield the noise and prevent permanent damage.

Workplace lighting affects safety as well as productivity. Sufficient lighting promotes better visibility which reduces the risk of injury and short and long term health problems such as headaches and vision loss. This can be accomplished by ensuring that lighting is at the appropriate levels, maintained, and regularly serviced. Task lighting can also be utilized in situations where brighter light is needed to perform a job. When possible, natural lighting should be used. If unavailable, an alternative would be to paint ceilings and walls in a light neutral color which reflect light.

Working with machinery in a manufacturing environment can be dangerous and requires the appropriate protective clothing and gear. All employees and visitors entering a manufacturing environment should shield their eyes with protective glasses; protective hearing gear may also be required. Machine operators should wear appropriate footwear such as steel toe shoes. Note that protective clothing only provides a limited amount of protection; other safety precautions should not be ignored. Ensure that the protective gear chosen does not increase other risks such as, restricted movement and mobility, and heat stress.

A safe plant requires training to avoid improper use of machinery and equipment. A training log should be kept to ensure that operators have been properly trained on their machines and processes. In addition to a training log, training evaluations may be used to confirm that employee understand the training and possess the knowledge needed to properly operate machinery. Only employees who have undergone training will be allowed to operate machinery.