Industrial workplaces thrive on efficient employees and equipment. Unfortunately, these work environments are prone to significant accidents, potentially resulting in employee injury or death. Thankfully, such accidents are avoidable with the right knowledge and planning. These are three essential tips for keeping industrial workplaces safe every day.
Always Follow & Enforce OSHA Standards
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) website is home to a bevy of standards workplaces must abide by. Violating OSHA’s laws and regulations can lead to a company paying hefty fines. Beyond the costly fines, violating OSHA standards can cause dire accidents in the workplace. For instance, OSHA requires forklift operators to conduct daily pre-shift inspections.
That way, if problems such as fluid leaks are present, the operator can designate the vehicle as unfit for service. If an operator skips their inspection and drives around with a leaky forklift, they’re creating a slipping hazard for all nearby personnel.
Keep All Entrances & Exits Clear
One of the essential tips for keeping industrial workplaces safe is to prevent clutter at all times. Providing employees areas for storing equipment and disposing of waste prevents those materials from winding up on the floor.
If you see an employee cluttering the floors, especially entrances and exits, correct the issue immediately. Furthermore, encourage employees to report any clutter they find in exits, entrances, and other pathways throughout the facility. Tripping hazards are a frequent concern in industrial work environments thanks to preventable problems such as clutter. Maintaining clean floors keeps employees safe while maneuvering the workspace and ensures everyone has a clear path to escape during emergencies.
Know Your Equipment
Preventative safety measures differ slightly between industrial equipment. So, to keep everyone safe, know what makes your heavy machines tick. Not only should you know a machine’s benefits, but also its safety hazards. For example, if you don’t understand the importance of machine guarding, you can allow preventable injuries to occur.
Multiple types of machine guards are available to accommodate various industrial work environments successfully. Understanding the hazards in the work environment gives you the chance to create a suitable prevention method. From manufacturing facilities to construction sites, keeping heavy machines safe is essential.
