Improving Safety Measures In Your Small Manufacturing Plant
Creating a secure and productive environment for your employees is essential for on the job safety. If you own a small manufacturing plant or warehouse, you likely already have a safety plan in place for each department. Incorporating additional safety measures can help decrease the risk for injury and accidents even more. Here are some ways to improve safety measures in the workplace.
Wrapping Pallets And Loose Boxes
One cause of injury in the plant or workplace involves heavy items or objects falling from shelves or pallets. This could be due to operator error or simply because the merchandise is not being stacked per its specified weight limit. Many workers are also injured while lifting heavy objects. This can be eliminated by consolidating heavy objects and having them moved with heavy equipment. You can another blanket of safety to workers on your warehouse floor by wrapping pallets. Stretch wrap machines (such as those offered by SIAT S.p.A.) work by rotating the pallets or boxes while the machine applies the plastic wrap. Choose from an automatic machine, semi-automatic or a manual wrap with a turntable. Doing this reduces the risk of individual items falling out or shifting during storage or transport.
Installing Physical Barriers
With heavy equipment in use—specifically forklifts, it's important to make sure that they operate in designated zones or areas. Installing physical barriers such as gates or fencing can help avert a possible accident. This makes employees aware of possible hazards in specific areas. Be aware of how high pallets and boxes are stacked. Make sure to leave adequate room for employees to safely inspect these areas if need be. In addition to physical barriers, you can also use bright colored tape or paint to designate loading areas or other locations where heavy or dangerous machinery may be in use.
Revisit Employee Dress Codes
Most companies have a standard dress code practice already in place in the employee handbook. While this sets a basic standard, some improvising may have to be done. Many clothing items can get caught inside working machines or areas that could lead to injury. Here are some considerations:
- Wearing bright colored safety vests
- Bright and recognizable head gear or safety hats
- No loose fitting or jewelry
- Steel-toed boots with a no-slip sole
Be sure to review the safety guidelines periodically to coincide with new equipment and products.
Clean Workspaces
Making sure that work areas are clean and dry is essential for overall employee and visitor safety. It also helps prevent debris from blocking the pathway of forklifts and getting stuck in and around machines. Adding more trash and recycling receptacles can help reduce the amount of waste that ends up on the floor. Designate areas where trash and recyclable items can be safely discarded.
Making your workplace a safer environment saves you time and money. Utilizing several techniques can help you achieve the best workplace for your employees.