Nearly all manufacturing companies use some form of machinery. These can range from small items like coffee grinders to larger machinery like industrial turbines. But regardless of size, machinery has one common feature: risks that can lead to hazards in the workplace.
One common risk in a manufacturing business is injuries to employees from dangerous machinery. Thankfully, there are some things you and your employees can do to make working with machinery safer. If you want to learn how to improve employee safety when working with machinery, here are some top safety tips to help you:
1. Get the Correct Training
One of the best ways to ensure employee safety when working with machinery is to give them the proper training on how to use it. Employees not fully trained should never be left to operate machinery alone.
2. Ensure the Machine is Operating Properly
Employers should regularly maintain their equipment to ensure it is working correctly. This is essential for several reasons. Not only will it help prevent accidents from occurring, but it can also reduce downtime as the machines are less likely to fail.
Another reason why maintaining equipment is essential is because it can help protect your business from a lawsuit. If an injury occurs because of a faulty piece of equipment, employees have the right to hire lawyers for defective equipment claims.
However, it’s not just the employer’s responsibility to check equipment. Employees also need to do their bit. Before using an item of machinery, your employees must check it is working correctly. And, more importantly, learn where the safeguarding accessories of the machine are located. Employees should ensure all machine guards are in place and working correctly to reduce the chances of accidents occurring.
3. Wear Appropriate Clothing
Another great tip that can help prevent accidents from occurring when working with machinery is to wear appropriate clothing. Any experienced equipment operator will tell you that long hair, loose clothing, and dangling jewelry can increase your risk of an accident.
4. Wear PPE
As well as wearing tight-fitting clothing, your employees must wear personal protective equipment when operating machinery. This can include a range of things, including gloves, goggles, and earplugs.
5. Limit Distractions
It’s all too easy to get distracted at work; however, this is one of the most common reasons an accident occurs in the workplace. So, you need to try and limit distractions when you are operating machinery. There are several ways you can do this. You can keep your work area free from clutter and make it clear to other employees that you won’t interact when working with the machinery.
Business owners are legally required to do everything they can to protect their employees from injury. They can do this by talking to them about machinery safety. This will not only help prevent injury in the workplace but also prevent equipment downtime. Ensure your employees understand and follow the above safety tips for working with machinery.