Workers in the manufacturing industry face many safety risks due to the nature of their job. Statistics from Safe Work Australia show the industry recorded 10 fatalities in 2015.  And over the last five years, the manufacturing sector has featured among industries with the highest number of workplace deaths in Australia.

In 2005-2006, the industry employed 1,095,000 workers and 95,000 experienced a work-related injury, equating to 87 injuries per 1000 workers, according to the “Work-related injuries 2005-2006: Manufacturing Industry” report. This is a substantially high rate compared to the incidence rate for all Australian workers of 69 injuries per 1000 workers.

The industry has been identified as a priority industry by Safe Work Australia due to the high number of injuries and fatalities reported in the industry.

To improve safety in the manufacturing industry, employers should make safety an integral part of their daily tasks and engage workers in their safety goals.

Below are some of the ways safety in the manufacturing industry can be improved-:

Ensuring workers are well trained. 

Safety in your facility can only be guaranteed when those working in it are safe.  Ensure your workers are trained on how to use all the equipment you have. This training should be done several times a year or when new machines are introduced into the company. The training should be done by experts and should include how to check that the machines are in good working condition. Exposing workers to periodic safety training can also help keep them up-to-date with current safety practices.  Response to emergencies should form part of such training.

Maintaining machinery and equipment

Proper maintenance of machinery can help prevent injuries in the workplace. To minimise injury risks, have your Machines and Racking inspected regularly by a professional.  Machines should be inspected before and after use to ensure they are in good condition. Racking should be inspected at least annually.  Ensure your workers know how to perform a quick inspection of all the machines they are using.  Proper maintenance does not eliminate every risk posed by machines in manufacturing. Some of the chemicals used in the industry are dangerous, hence the need to exercise care when handling them.  Machines used for heating chemicals pose serious safety risks even when operating correctly hence the need to exercise caution when working with such machines.

Easy access to medical equipment

When an injury occurs, easy access to medical equipment is critical to the survival of the injured person. Ensure you have all first aid equipment in your facility, including those tailored to the needs of your workers. All workers should be trained on how to use the first aid equipment.  They should also be trained on the safety procedures to follow in the event of an emergency.

 Alertness

Most of the incidents that occur in the workplace can be prevented. For example, to prevent injuries when working with forklifts, one or two workers should be stationed on the ground to guide the operator.  A safety management system that ensures workers are able to share any concerns they may have in regards to their safety is essential. Some of the incidents that occur due to carelessness can be prevented by providing extra equipment to workers.

Rewarding safety

Workers who follow safety rules should be rewarded. The company should have a program that rewards those who provide efficient work without flouting safety rules. Employers should emphasise on safety instead of productivity.

Author:   Stephen

Edited:   Katie 

Source:    www.safetyculture.com.au

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