“Safety first!” If you work in the manufacturing sector, you’ve probably seen and heard that phrase a million times. And there’s nothing wrong with that. No one wants to work in a facility that puts them at risk of serious injury or even death.
Unfortunately, too many workers do suffer workplace injuries every year. The number and severity of these injuries remain a constant reminder that there’s always room for improvement when it comes to workplace safety.
In a recent EHS Today article, author Adrienne Selko notes that “US businesses need to ‘do significantly better’ in supporting workplace safety, according to a recent survey from BSI.” BSI’s Xavier Alcaraz notes that “[w]e’ve normalized a culture where…’safety first’ is promoted but supervisors look the other way when deadlines are at risk.”
Things don’t have to stay that way, however. Workers deserve better. BSI offers some practical advice for manufacturers seeking to improve workplace safety:
- “Safety culture: Foster an environment where safety is a systems-driven core value, encouraging reporting of potential hazards and near-misses without fear of reprisal. This contributes to both physical safety as well as psychological safety.”
- “Adopt a management systems approach for health and safety that emphasizes continuous improvement.”
- “Align safety goals with business goals.”
- “Safety training: Provide comprehensive safety training, including proper use of equipment, emergency procedures, and hazard recognition.”
That last suggestion is an important one that too many companies ignore. Of course, not all companies prioritize safety like they should, but even those wanting to improve don’t always know how to go about adequately training workers.
For companies looking to improve their safety training, partnering with established companies to provide industrial-quality training systems that will stand the test of time will help ensure the continued safety of the workforce.
For example, DAC Worldwide offers two safety training systems specifically designed to give employees the hands-on experience they need to master lock-out/tag-out skills:
- DAC Worldwide Lock-Out/Tag-Out Training System
- DAC Worldwide Electrical Lock-Out/Tag-Out Training System
Be sure to check out these training systems and contact a DAC Worldwide representative to learn how you can improve your training today!
