Workplace hazards exist in every industrial facility. Identifying and addressing these hazards is essential. What are some common areas of concern, and how can facility managers rectify them to reduce safety risks?
Lighting
Business owners must provide adequate lighting for all workspaces. Visually inspect the area to see if certain portions are darker than others. Ask employees if there are areas where more light would be of benefit.
When they must strain to see objects or find it difficult to distinguish between controls on equipment, additional lighting must be brought in to prevent injuries. A lighting expert may be needed to determine the best lighting for different portions of the facility.
Please speak with a company offering facility services in wisconsin to see what lighting upgrades they recommend.
Set a Cleaning Schedule
Every person in the workplace needs to help keep the facility clean. This job should not fall on one or two people. Create a comprehensive cleaning schedule and share it with all employees. Assign tasks to the employees so they know what is expected of them and when.
When one or more individuals fail to do their cleanup tasks, time and effort are wasted. The facility won’t be safe. Furthermore, all workers must regularly clean surfaces they use to stop the spread of germs. The facility manager should have cleaners and equipment available so they can do so.
Professional Cleaners
The facility manager should also have professional cleaners routinely clean the facility. These cleaners will clean the workplace, sanitize it, and disinfect it, making the facility safer and more productive.
Improve Ventilation
Indoor air contaminants can make workers sick. They may originate in the ventilation system or make their way into the system, where they are spread throughout the facility. Workers may show signs of occupational asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, or reversible airway disease when this happens.
Business owners will be responsible for paying workers’ medical bills if the illness can be attributed to their work. A facility manager can avoid these workers’ comp claims by ensuring adequate ventilation.
Restrict Food in the Facility
Food consumption should be restricted throughout the facility to avoid crumbs and spills. These could pose safety risks if they compromise the workers’ equipment or products.
Designate areas where food and drinks are allowed and ensure all employees know their cleaning responsibilities. Any food, crumbs, and spills can attract pets and lead to bacterial growth. Ensure all wastebaskets in these areas are cleaned routinely.
Identify Potential Hazards
Facility managers need to identify all potential hazards in the workplace. These hazards depend on the work completed in the facility and the industry. Slippery floors and electrical hazards are found in most workplaces, so managers need to focus on them when conducting this assessment.
Talk with employees to learn what they see as potential hazards when they complete their work. They may see hazards managers would otherwise overlook.
Safety Training
Safety training must be mandatory for all employees and ongoing to reduce the risk of accidents. The training should also cover what employees need to do in an emergency.
When this information is covered regularly, employees will know precisely how to respond to minimize the consequences of the emergency. All employees must prioritize safety and report anything they see that could be a hazard.
Employees and employers must work together to create a safe workplace that benefits all who enter the facility. However, employee well-being must be the top priority because workers are the foundation of any business. Without them, the facility couldn’t continue operating.
