8 Fundamental Safety Rules That Should Never Be Compromised in Industrial Units
Working in hazardous environments can leave employees feeling anxious about their safety. They might feel that their life is at risk, which is ultimately bad for both the employees’ mental wellbeing and the company’s productivity.
It’s safe to say that working in an industrial unit is no joke. It’s tough work and there’s always a risk of getting injured. Fortunately, this can be avoided by taking some safety measures.
Read on to know the core safety rules which, when undertaken, can protect you from any physical workplace injury.
- Conduct Safety Training Sessions
The first and foremost rule to implement at your workplace is to have regular and consistent safety training for old and new employees alike.
Make sure the employees receive training regardless of what position they are in. Safety training sessions may help workers be aware of the hazards of their jobs.
These sessions are a helpful tool in inculcating practical skills in workers while simultaneously teaching them what to do if things go wrong.
- Report Whenever Anything Seems Off
Often people tend to ignore their gut instinct alerting them when something seems off. This can put everyone into a potentially dangerous situation.
Encourage your employees to report to their superiors whenever they feel something is wrong with the machinery, equipment or even the infrastructure.
Even the smallest change in the industrial unit can be the cause of a disaster. Make sure your employees are well-equipped with the knowledge to identify such red flags.
- Maintain Checklists for Everything
There are many intricacies when it comes to the workings of equipment in an industrial unit. Therefore, making sure all aspects are taken care of is an integral part of operating the equipment.
Making and following a daily checklist can be a helpful way of avoiding deviation from routine, and thereby avoiding unexpected accidents.
The checklists may include incident reports, quality assurance, safety hazard observation and repair order tickets, among others. Frequent use of such checklists is sure to drastically reduce chances of mishaps.
- Get Familiarized with Emergency Evacuation Drills
It’s obvious that no one wants to be in a situation of emergency. However, are your employees prepared for what they must do in case of a fire, chemical leak or any other emergency?
Conduct frequent emergency fire drills to make sure the workers can save their lives in the event of an emergency. Brief the new employees about this before they start working.
Your employees should be well-aware of where the emergency exits in the building are and where the fire extinguisher is. It would also be helpful to teach them the methods of extinguishing for different types of fires.
- Cleanliness is Key
It is a lesser-known fact that tripping or slipping is one of the most prevalent causes for workplace injuries. That’s why it is really important to make sure that every nook and cranny of your workplace is clean.
Prevent liquid leakage by using drip pans and guards with the equipment. Also ensure that there are no architectural flaws such as holes or loose tiles since they could facilitate falls.
Additionally, ensure that there is bright lighting and proper ventilation in the unit. Not only will this help ensure cleanliness but would also lift the employees’ spirits.
- Always Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Wearing safety gear while working in an industrial unit is perhaps the most integral rule of all, given that your workers are constantly surrounded by heavy machinery or harmful chemicals.
If they’re wearing personal protective equipment, the chances of injury plummet drastically. Also remember to instruct employees to slick back hair, remove jewelry and avoid loose clothing when they are working.
All workers must compulsorily be provided with safety gear such as safety glasses, gloves, masks. Workers working outdoors should also be given high vis rain gear.
- Keep Fire Hazards Miles Away
This one’s a no-brainer! Industrial units are extremely susceptible to fires, with all the machines working and flammable chemicals nearby.
It’s important to store any combustible material in airtight containers, and only use the quantity that is required at the time. Moreover, make sure there is no accumulation of dust since lint catches fire pretty easily.
While this may seem like a long shot, it’s also really important to make sure there’s no substance abuse in the workplace. Alcohol and cigarettes are highly flammable. A single mistake could cause major destruction of life and property.
- Take Periodic Breaks
Overworking can take a heavy toll on the human body and can even negatively affect productivity levels.
This is extremely dangerous in the industrial sphere as it could lead to inefficient handling of machinery and the inability to conduct a proper evaluation of surroundings.
Encourage your employees to take regular breaks between work to avoid fatigue. This relieves the stress of the employees, enhances efficiency and promotes an overall healthy work culture.
Conclusion
Safety is an indispensable part of work when it comes to the industrial sphere. Ensuring your employees’ safety will help prevent accidents and injuries in the workplace.
If the workers are safe, they will feel secure while working. This in turn, will increase their productivity and boost their morale. So, review your safety infrastructure now and make your workplace risk-free.
