The manufacturing industry, with the advent of new technologies, is set to improve efficiency, quality of work and safety of the employees. It is growing, strength to strength, developing capabilities around real-time maintenance of equipment to virtual design, and opening an utter scope of possible applications.

Safety performance has become an important differentiator in these industries – all share and communicate a common commitment of providing a workplace that has constituted as well as implemented an up-to-date risk and hazard management plan. In manufacturing, hazards are spread and visible all over the plant – focus on safer workplace becomes vital. Safe and healthy workplaces are an asset to a business, where it helps them operate more efficiently and companies can enjoy a healthy bottom line.

Some common hazards prevail in manufacturing units – their know-how becomes necessary to undertake preventive measures in its first place. ASK-EHS safety animation aims to address those risks and hazards, in order to allow a better understanding of their significance in safety.

1. Fall from heights

Fall protection violations remain on top of the list of safety violations in the year 2019 – 6010 violations were reported^[1]. Even a fall from six-feet can prove deadly when landing on the wrong body part or surface. Spinal, head, or neck injuries are common, regardless of the height, and can leave a worker severely disabled or prove fatal. An informed choice of equipment and knowledge can safeguard workers from potential falls – proper PPE, comprehensive trainings, instructions and guidance is hence necessary.

2. Electrical safety

When risks and hazards are properly identified, working around electricity on a job-site can be safe. Common electrical hazards that put industrial workers at risk are overhead powerhead lines, damaged tools and equipment, improper grounding and exposure to electrical parts, damaged insulations and wet conditions. This short, sample ASK-EHS animated movie serves as a guide for performing work near electrical equipment and helps apply best electrical safety practices.

3. Lockout Tagout-Tryout (LOTOTO)

To isolate an equipment prior to its repair and maintenance, LOTOTO has been considered as one of the safest ways. Its main purpose is to protect employees from an accidental re-energization of equipment that has the potential to cause injuries or fatalities. As this stands imperative in ensuring a safe lockout, thorough trainings on the method and usage of the appropriate devices is essential.

4. Machine Guarding

OSHA statistics claim that workers who operate and maintain machineries suffer approximately 18,000 amputations, lacerations, crushing injuries, abrasions, and over 800 deaths per year. Poor machine guarding has a direct correlation with these statistics – hence guarding workers against hazards caused by moving parts within the equipment or machines is necessary to stay compliant, achieve maximum efficiency and productivity, and most important, for employee well-being.

5. Powered Industrial vehicles (PIVs)

Known as forklifts, power jacks, lift trucks and reach trucks, these are the most common vehicles seen on worksites, which are often used to raise, lower or remove small and large objects on pallets or in boxes, crates, or other containers. Incidents involving PIVs that result in injuries and damage to public property are primarily due to lack of trainings or working within an instruction-based environment. Many workers who have been using the equipment for longer duration, tend to take shortcuts around safe procedures. Trainings, worker protection, awareness of the immediate surroundings, correct handling of loads are some of the preventive measures that can help employees when they are around these versatile pieces of equipment.

ASK-EHS safety animation can walk you through the risks and hazards at a workplace, creating awareness and emphasizing safety for one and all. Remember, preventive steps of all the above hazards consume a little extra time – be it regular inspections, effective trainings or appropriate PPEs. But that extra time can avert a potential incident, prevent an onsite worker from a painful downtime.