The right set of safety measures will help to reduce downtime and absenteeism, and ensure that a given facility runs as efficiently as possible. It will also help to avoid legal risks associated with improper use of machinery.
Safety First: Mitigating Risks Through Training
Being able to avoid machinery-related risks is often as simple as being able to spot them in the first place. Thus, much safety-related training is aimed at giving workers the skills and mindset they need to perceive hazards.
For example, workers might be put into the habit of checking machinery for damage before it is used. This, alongside a more structured schedule of care and maintenance, might help to keep the machinery in optimal condition. The more familiar a given worker is with the machine in question, the better able they'll be to spot when something has gone wrong. A stockpile of parts, ordered through a reputable supplier like RS Americas, will help businesses to stay on top of the requirements.
Compliance and Regulatory Requirements
In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is responsible for setting and enforcing the basic safety standards by which all workplaces must abide. There are also major bodies of law, like the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act.
There’s also state-level regulation to think about. States like Michigan and California are able to enact an even more rigorous set of requirements than are required by federal law. Employers in relevant states should make a point of checking the requirements particular to them. In some cases, the safety requirements are more stringent for public-sector workers than for private-sector ones.
Maximizing Efficiency and Productivity
Improving safety is an inherently worthwhile thing. Yet, as we’ve discussed, it also confers several side benefits in terms of productivity.
When workers are familiar with the operation and workings of a given piece of machinery, they’ll be able to complete tasks more quickly, and often to a higher standard. They’ll be able to spot potential points of failure, and address them before more expensive mechanical problems set in.
They might also develop insights that can inform the longer-term strategy of the company. If your business relies on the operation of a particular kind of machine, it pays to listen to the people most familiar with the use of that machine.
Comprehensive Training Programs
A worthwhile training program should be a comprehensive one. It should deal not only with the safety aspects of working with a given piece of machinery, but the theory that governs its operation. Courses should be tailored to specific industries and pieces of machinery. Periodic refresher courses should be offered, so that workers can remain up-to-date in their knowledge.