Employee Safety in MSMEs

Due to carelessness or minor safety compromises, major calamities occur because of the expansion of industry and massive industrialization worldwide. Millions of industrial accidents result in fatalities, lost man- and machine hours, and lost production time. Moreover, there is a significant financial loss due to the maintenance and replacement of machinery and equipment, staff remuneration, and occasionally lost income because of customer delivery delays. It is essential to address these issues.

These issues can quickly occur in MSMEs where the battle for the top line often overlooks these soft but hugely essential aspects of working conditions that are acceptable for employee safety.?

SMEs make up most enterprises globally and play a significant role in employment creation and the expansion of the global economy. In emerging economies, the GDP contribution from formal SMEs might reach 40%. When informal SMEs are considered, these figures are substantially higher. In India, there will be roughly 63 million micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) by the end of the 2020 fiscal year. These small businesses have minimal financial resources, facilities, and workspace, as well as antiquated equipment, little labor, and little understanding of and familiarity with safety issues. According to my actual industry experience, most micro-enterprises are unable to meet even the most basic safety requirements. The safety of people is seriously at risk. The hour is necessary for these organizations to receive the proper information and funding.

It's necessary to clearly distinguish between "regular disasters" and "surprises," two categories of industrial disasters. Experts have a good understanding of common calamities that can be managed using tried-and-true guidelines. Surprises are incredibly diverse and far less understood; they defy expert and lay expectations. They include unforeseeable calamities like the Bhopal gas tragedy and its devastating aftermaths. It is challenging to devise precise anticipatory measures of the kind that have been effective in decreasing common hazards since surprises are unanticipated events.

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So what can MSMEs do to ensure employee safety?

Well, there are several possible solutions that many MSMEs owners/employees don't even know about and which are cost-effective. The following proposed solution will not only ensure the safety of employees but also might improve productivity and earn profits for the company!?

1. HOUSEKEEPING: The most efficient and best way to ensure safety is housekeeping! Housekeeping practices are best defined under a Japanese technique called 5S, which has Sorting (Seiri), Streamlining (Seiton), Systematic cleaning (Seiso), Standardize (Seiketsu), and Sustain (Shitsuke). Many companies also add a 6th "S," which they allocate to safety. This practice helps the working conditions in the workplace to be organized and clean, hence ensuring the safety of employees. This practice does not cause much capital and is very effective even in improving productivity.
2. Display boards: Local language display boards on the equipment should list the handling equipment's lifting capabilities. The safety and environmental policy on working sites must be documented and constantly updated. All policies should be displayed in the local tongue so that even entry-level employees can understand them.
3. Preventive machine care: Capital equipment should implement preventive and periodic maintenance techniques. The capital machine's wear-and-tear spare part needs to be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Regular fitness checks should be performed on all material handling equipment, and any worn-out replacement parts should be promptly replaced.

1. PPE kits: Personal protective equipment should be provided by organizations for all workers. This should be a must because these gears could prevent 75% of the injuries from happening. Safety shoes, gloves, helmets, glasses, shields, and even covid preventive kits should be available to all the workers and employees in the organization.
2. Appointment of a Safety officer: As MSMEs cannot afford safety officers, a group of MSMEs can collectively afford one, who will be made legally required. The safety officer must conduct an adequate examination and testing of electrical installations and equipment in addition to making suggestions for improvements in the safety of machines, materials, and people for safe functioning in the unit.

?In conclusion, the best use of personal protective equipment, appropriate routine and preventive maintenance, enough light and air circulation, and adherence to all safety standards of the respective industry/activity standards can help to minimize industrial accidents and the ensuing consequences of human loss, injury, lost production time, and of course financial loss.