Developing a culture of safety needs to be every manufacturing employee’s top priority. Maintaining a safe work environment reduces the risks of illness and injury among team members. This saves individuals and the company time and money on employee absences, medical expenses, and related issues.
Promoting a culture of safety needs to be a mindset as well as a physical practice. Focusing on safety promotes modeling appropriate behavior and reminding others to engage in safe practices.
Implement these tips to promote a culture of safety at your workplace.
Participate in Training
Actively take part in ongoing safety training. This is especially important when taking on additional responsibilities or changing jobs. Pay attention during refresher training as well. It’s best to review the proper procedures to ensure you perform your tasks as safely as possible.
Focus on Visual Safety Aids
Follow the information on the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) posters throughout your workplace. Also, pay attention to the color codes, posters, labels, or signs your company uses to warn of hazards. Plus, focus on the safety information, updates, and messages on your organization’s digital signage.
Minimize Hazards
Keep your workplace free from physical, chemical, and electrical hazards as much as possible. This includes using the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), machine guarding, and fall protection measures. It also involves properly using forklifts and following lockout tagout procedures when repairing machinery. Identifying and reporting potential issues and safety violations is important as well.
Take Breaks
Regularly walk away from your work area for 5 to 10 minutes. This is especially important if you perform repetitive tasks. Taking breaks helps prevent fatigue from setting in. The more attentive you are, the less your risk of injury.
Join the Safety Committee
Participate in your company’s safety meetings. Work with employees at different levels to stay informed on safety topics, inspections, injury and illness statistics, and other relevant topics. Also, share what you learn with your coworkers to increase their safety. Plus, participate in departmental or company-wide meetings to gather employee feedback about potential hazards in the workplace.
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