Factory based businesses must ensure a safe working environment for their staff, adhering to strict guidelines and implementing rigorous training programs in order to minimise the risk of accidents and worker injuries. To improve the safety standards of your industrial factory, be sure to follow these four tips.
Equipment and safety gear
If your workers need to be able to access certain pieces of equipment to fulfill their daily tasks, they must be supplied with appropriate safety gear. Ensure all workers are supplied with hard hats, gloves, full length clothing, safety footwear and goggles and enforce the wearing these items when machinery is in use.
Training
Training is an essential part of ensuring the safety of your staff, especially when it comes to operating heavy machinery. New employees should be subjected to rigorous training programs detailing equipment, manual handling, fire and emergency training and general protocols before commencing work and all staff should undertake refresher courses every few months. All accidents and/or injuries should be recorded in a logbook so that further accidents can be prevented in the future.
Clear signage
No matter which industry you’re in, your factory will need to be fitted with clear signage covering safety warnings and reminders as well as general guidelines and factory protocols. Signs must also be set up in the event of spills or routine cleaning so that staff are notified of possible safety risks.
Waste disposal
Proper waste disposal is extremely important in an industrial setting as improper procedures pose a health risk. Even in an industry like sheet metal manufacturing, it is vital that your employees know how to dispose of waste in a manner that prioritises their own safety, the safety of others and the environment. In some cases, outsourcing your waste disposal is the safest option.
Machinery maintenance
All factory machinery must be properly maintained to ensure it is always in top condition and isn’t a risk to your workers. Safety checks on all machinery and equipment should be conducted routinely and records should be kept to show when these checks were carried out and by whom. By having your machinery regularly maintained and serviced you will be able to pick up on any problems before they escalate.
If you run a sheet metal fabrication factory, ACRA is your first point of call for all sheet metal machinery repair, maintenance and servicing. We pride ourselves on our professional service and will ensure your machinery is in top condition for reliable, safe performance.