According to the Department of Labor, over 12 million people work in manufacturing jobs. These jobs involve a lot of different machines and tools which can result in injury if not used properly. Good manufacturing safety means being aware of these risks and what can be done to reduce them…
Manufacturing Safety: Steps to Take
Mechanical risks
Working with mechanical machines can be risky for several reasons. Moving machine parts can pose the risk of entanglement. Furthermore, moving surfaces can pose the risk of crush injuries, and sharp edges or pieces can cause cuts or other wounds. Some machines can even pose multiple risks at once.
Due to these risks, it’s important to be aware and alert when working with a machine. Avoid wearing clothing that could get easily caught in a machine. Also, wear gloves and other protective gear when working with machines that have sharp components. Additionally, machine guards can also help with improving manufacturing safety.
Hearing risk
Heavy machinery can be quite loud when it’s in use. Being around this noise for long periods of time without hearing protection can lead to permanent hearing damage. It’s important, then, to take steps to reduce this risk when working.
Good hearing protection is a major part of reducing this risk. Wearing protective headphones or ear plugs can help reduce noise to a tolerable level. Furthermore, it helps to take breaks away from the machines to give your ears some time to recover.
Eye injuries
Manufacturing jobs also have a high risk of eye injuries. The Vision Council reports that 61% of eye injuries occur in manufacturing jobs. This is due to how machines can throw up dust, metal, and other eye-injuring particles when being used.
As a result, an important part of manufacturing safety is good eye protection. Protective glasses go a long way in keeping your eyes safe. However, if your work creates large debris, you might want to go will full protective goggles.
Working in manufacturing can pose a lot of risks to workers all at once. However, like in other workplaces, being safe while working is still certainly possible. Taking these safety steps can help in avoiding injury while on the job.