Any industrial environment such as a factory will always have the potential for danger and anyone working under the roof a building like this will need to be protected by a good health and safety approach.
Here is a look at some of the most common causes for concern when it comes to safety, including the dangers of heights, why good housekeeping is important, and how to operate forklifts and handle chemicals with safety in mind.
Be wary of different heights
Trips and falls account for a reasonable percentage of recorded accidents and if anyone is expected to work at the height it is essential that they are protected as best as possible.
Injuries sustained through falling, and even fatalities, are often caused by a lack of due care and attention to ladder or scaffolding safety procedures.
A number of the major hazards associated with working at heights can often become a potential injury waiting to happen simply because there is a lack of basic safety training and the right health and safety precautions and procedures have not been followed adequately.
Protective wear like hard hats and good signage relating to fall hazards are just two of the ways that the danger of working at height can be minimized.
It is also essential that all employees who will be working at height or operating at different levels of the building have the right health and safety training and a regular audit of these safety procedures should also be carried out to maintain a level of protection for everyone working there.
Blocked exits and clutter
Another major safety hazard that can often be the cause of a number of accidents is when the workplace is not kept clean and tidy.
It can all too easy to allow debris and clutter to build up and that creates numerous hazards as a result.
Typical issues are things like allowing clutter to block exits and walkways. When this is allowed to happen it can create an instant fire hazard if workers are not able to exit the building quickly in an emergency, and blocking walkways or leaving rubbish around will increase the risk of a slip or trip.
Encourage workers to take responsibility for their working environment and to look out for obvious hazards such as clutter and spillages.
Always be mindful of fire risk
The risk of fire is often present in any industrial environment where there are items of machinery and other equipment.
Electrical fires caused as a result of damaged or faulty wiring is a potential danger that has to be assessed through regular checks.
In order to minimize the risk of fire spreading there should be an adequate supply of fire extinguishers in the building which need to be clearly marked and signposted for quick access in an emergency situation.
Consistent use of smoke detectors and emergency lighting should also be top priorities when taking steps to combat the prospect of a fire developing.
Beware of forklift-related hazards
Factories are often a hive of activity with everyone working at full speed to meet deadlines and keep the production line rolling.
Forklifts are used extensively in factories and warehouse units but they can be a leading cause of accidents in the workplace, especially when workers feel like they are under pressure to work quickly.
One of the main problems with everyone working at such a frenetic pace is the temptation to take shortcuts when it comes to safety simply to try and save a bit of time.
Needless to say, these shortcuts can soon lead to an accident occurring that could have been avoided.
Overloading the forklift or driving too fast around the factory space are typical causes of accidents. Aim to encourage the safe use of forklifts and create designated walkways and forklift routes so that the prospect of a collision is reduced.
The correct use of lockout procedures
Faulty equipment needs to be urgently identified and workers prevented from using the item or being exposed to a potential shock or injury.
All workers need to be aware of the reasons for using lockout tags and understand the risks if they ignore these clear warning signs.
Correct handling of chemicals
If chemicals are used in any part of the building there needs to be a robust control system in place to prevent unintended exposure and the risk of spillage, as well as understanding how your air quality might be compromised.
There will need to be very clear guidance for all workers on what chemicals are being used and what hazards they create in particular, such as the potential for damage to skin, the danger of inhalation, and any other specific risk.
A clear labelling system must be in place and an inventory of all the chemicals present on site must be maintained consistently in order to identify expiry dates and when maximum stock levels have been reached.
Room to work properly
Space can sometimes be at a premium in some industrial setups and there is no doubt that working in confined spaces can create a number of potentially serious hazards.
It should be considered a top priority to carry out a thorough risk assessment of any confined workspace and every worker who is expected to work in a challenging environment will need to be provided with regular health and safety training.
Confined spaces like drains and storage units that need to be cleaned out present the risk of a hazardous atmosphere and that is why every activity needs to be properly planned and evaluated.
These are some of the key hazards that workers in factories and other industrial buildings can face on a daily basis and the aim should be to minimize the potential risks through adequate training, the correct use of personal protective equipment, and a proactive approach to encouraging a culture of health and safety.
If a decent risk assessment program is implemented and ongoing safety training is carried out it should help to reduce the prospect of a safety violation and an unwelcome incident.
