Tip #5 – Provide a clean, safe environment
When people think of manufacturing jobs, they often envision an early 20th Century factory where workers toil in dark, dirty, smoky, loud, and dangerous conditions. An unpleasant work environment is especially problematic for younger job-seekers, who can increasingly choose jobs that offer remote work.
While many industrial operations are inherently dirty and loud, most factories in the US are now much cleaner and better ventilated than in years past. Employees in high-noise locations are typically equipped with noise-canceling headphones, and lighting has improved greatly over the years.
Manufacturing operations are much less dangerous than in past decades due to increased regulation and advances in safety engineering. More recently, there has been growing use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as helmets, goggles, earphones, respiratory masks, safety gloves, and high-visibility vests.?
Source: The Roots of Progress
Yet safety continues to be a major concern. A 2019 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report revealed that manufacturing is the third most dangerous industry after healthcare and retail, with 395,300 workplace injuries and 35,000 workplace illnesses. A 2021 update reported that in 2020, after 15 years of continuing improvements, the US workplace injury rate remained unchanged, with 2.8 workplace injuries per 100 full-time workers.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) via Work Injury Source
Costly insurance claims, OSHA penalties, and productivity losses due to injury-related absences have been sufficient motivations for most manufacturers to improve safety. Organizations that are dragging their heels might also consider the impact of safety on recruitment and retention. If you cannot demonstrate a strong safety record to job-seekers, you will need to make some changes..
The Internet is full of tips on improving safety in manufacturing, starting with OSHA. Common solutions include enforcement of PPE use, frequent inspections of machinery and safety features, rapid clean-up of spills and clutter, regular fire and safety drills, and improved lighting. Organizations are also redesigning workplaces to reduce ladder use or height or avoid equipment entanglements. In the wake of the COVID pandemic, and with global warming reaching catastrophic levels, ventilation and HVAC systems will likely need upgrades.
Source: Vector Solutions
Source: U.S. Department of Labor / OSHA
Source: IndustryWeek
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Other safety tips include providing frequent breaks, reducing overtime and graveyard shifts, and resisting the temptation to accelerate the pace of work beyond the limits of safety and quality control. One of the most important ways to improve safety is by retaining skilled workers and providing substantial training for newcomers. Skilled operators have far better safety records than newbies.?
Source: Travelers
Ergonomics is a growing concern among manufacturers, as repetitive stress injuries dominate industrial workplace injury absences. Improving workspace design and encouraging stretching routines can help reduce ergonomic problems.
Another way to improve safety is by implementing smart manufacturing technologies. IoT machine sensor platforms provide predictive maintenance to spot potentially dangerous malfunctions or leaks ahead of time. Visual intelligence software such as Leela Platform can quickly flag safety issues such as PPE misuse, people standing in unsafe locations, and even ergonomic risks.
Source: Leela AI
MES and connected worker platforms make it easier for employees to quickly report safety problems. Smart wearables and augmented reality gear can warn frontline workers of potential safety risks, as well as monitor health status.?
Robots pose their own safety risks, but they generally improve safety, as they replace many of the most dangerous human tasks. For tough jobs where humans are still required, exoskeletons can protect against injuries from lifting heavy objects.
Source: Risk & Insurance
By applying a combination of rigorous safety practices and smart manufacturing technology, most operations can be far safer, healthier, and pleasant than in decades past. Some manufacturers may even be able to promise a healthier, more varied, and more social workday compared to jobs that require sitting in front of a computer all day.
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