Page 86 - Occupational Health & Safety, July/August 2019

FACILITY SAFETY
Creating Safe Facilities
Companies should keep in mind that while standards are in place for a reason, exceeding them will always create a safer workplace. BY MICHAEL HESS
Whether working on upgrading an al- ready established facility or setting up a new manufacturing space, creating a safe working environment is one of the most important tasks for any industrial organization. Starting safe practices from the origination of the fa- cility is best, but even the most seasoned companies can set an annual agenda to make safety improve- ments to their space.
Establishing facility safety takes time, focus, and effort, and maintaining and reevaluating those prac- tices should be an ongoing process for as long as the companies are in business. This is the only way to continually ensure employees’ safety. But rest assured; there are concrete and straightforward steps that com- panies can take today to get a facility safety program up and running—and running well.
Companies Benefit from
Prioritizing Safety in Facilities
The best benefit that companies gain from prioritiz- ing safety in their facilities is, of course, ensuring that employees are protected on the job. Worker welfare should always be the company’s top concern. When it is, everyone wins.
In addition to ensuring that workers return home uninjured at the end of each day, safe facilities can help ensure that businesses have less downtime and lost time accidents for employees and lower workers’ compensation and insurance rates for the organiza- tion. Emphasizing employee safety also fosters con- tentment among workers, resulting in better perfor- mance and retention. High safety standards are also appealing to prospective employees, making recruit- ment an easier and more productive process.
Universal Fundamentals
While facility safety should be tailored to accommo- date a company’s specific plant and workforce size, there are also many general guidelines that should be incorporated into all safety programs. Companies should hope for the best but need to plan for the worst when it comes to safety.
As they are planning, businesses should first focus on facility layout. They should establish safe perim- eters (at least 6 feet); provide lane markings around electrical boxes and forklift routes; ensure exit doors and exit paths are always open and free; and guarantee that fire extinguishers are always accessible.
Additionally, to avoid trip hazards, companies
should implement the 5S method (or Kaizen meth- od). This process of continuous organizational im- provement focuses on five critical steps (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain) to establish and maintain an efficient, functioning facility, in which all equipment has a place and always remains in or is returned to that place. By using the 5S method, companies ensure they get a bonus 6S: safety.
Furthermore, companies should keep in mind that while standards are in place for a reason, exceed- ing them will always create a safer workplace. They shouldn’t be afraid to go above and beyond when it comes to facility spacing and lighting.
Hazard Signage is a Constant
Reminder to Stay Safe
Providing signage is an incredibly important part of ensuring employee safety, both for those physically operating machinery and for those in the vicinity of active equipment. Signage helps keep everyone in- formed and on the same page, drastically reducing the risk of accidents.
According to OSHA, poor control of hazardous en- ergy, poor machine guarding, and fall risks are among the top ten causes of workplace accidents. Safety sig- nage can protect against each of these hazards.
For example, scaffold inspection tags detail the equipment’s condition and help ensure regular inspec- tions; ladder safety signs detail proper and improper use; and fall hazard signs keep workers informed and alert about their working conditions.
Lockout/tagout identification and tags safe- guard against the release of hazardous energy during maintenance by ensuring the equipment is properly disabled ahead of time and that no one except the worker(s) servicing it can reactivate it.
Machine guarding tags alert workers of what pre- cautions need to be taken when operating certain equipment, significantly decreasing the risk of injuries such as crushed fingers or hands, amputations, burns, or blindness.
Hazard signage provides workers with continual safety reminders that will make them more cognizant of their actions and, thus, less likely to be in or cause an accident.
Training and Safety Teams
Companies should set an agenda about facility safety to ensure that they implement and train employees in best practices in an effective and timely manner.
80 Occupational Health & Safety | JULY/AUGUST 2019
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