Recently, I wrote on the COE Core Values and started a series going more in depth, starting with Customer Service. Today, we’re continuing the discussion with our next Core Value of Safety. With more than 6 million occupational injuries and nearly 40,000 work-related fatalities reported in the US every year, workplace Safety is a top concern for any company. Because of this, COE prioritizes the Safety of employees and products by ensuring rules and procedures are created, reviewed, and followed. 

Most manufacturing and distributing companies are renowned for their fast-paced environments and risky working conditions. It’s imperative to know it’s not too late and there are still plenty of ways to improve workplace Safety. If your company manufactures and/or distributes products, you must take every precaution to keep your employees and product safe from potential dangers. Here are some key factors that impact Safety in the manufacturing industry, along with tips on how you can implement them in your own business.

Management Commitment

One of the most important factors in improving your company’s Safety record is management commitment. As the leaders and decision makers, top executives have a huge role to play in setting Safety standards. They have to communicate the importance of Safety throughout all levels of the company, dictate and enforce Safety rules, and provide the resources necessary for maintenance and Safety upkeep.

“At COE Distributing, Safety has been and will always be a top priority! We want our employees to always feel safe when coming to work and for their families to know they are working in the safest environment possible. We empower our employees to provide feedback and notify us of any concerns before they could become a problem. We are committed to keeping each other safe because that’s what families do! At COE, we are a united work family working together to promote the safest and most efficient facility in our industry”.

– Courtney Gardner, Director, HR Strategy and Development

Proper Training and Education in Product Care and Handling

One of the first things you should do to improve Safety standards is to make sure your employees are fully trained in how to handle your products safely. Someone who is involved in the design, engineering, or production process should have an understanding of Safety regulations in their field and the proper way to handle their materials. If your business manufactures and/or distributes anything that requires extra care and attention, it’s even more vital to make sure your employees are trained in how to handle those products safely.

Establish Clear Safety Rules

Along with proper training, you should establish clear rules and regulations surrounding Safety. This can be done through creating a Safety manual or creating a Safety checklist. It’s important to outline all appropriate Safety measures that should be taken in the workplace. If you produce specific products, you should create a checklist for those materials as well. You could also have a checklist for your employees on how to use certain equipment or techniques. Beyond creating a manual, you should make sure to communicate your rules and regulations to your employees. It’s important that everyone knows what is expected of them and understands their role in keeping everyone safe. If you have a Safety checklist, you should make sure it’s visible to all employees. Having your Safety rules and guidelines easy to access and follow will help keep everyone on the same page.

Clear Visibility Through Good Design

Visibility is crucial in any work environment, but it’s especially important in manufacturing. Since you’re likely dealing with equipment and materials that could be dangerous if not handled properly, it’s important that everyone has a clear view of what’s going on around them. One way to do this is to use color-coding in your facilities to indicate what type of materials are present. For example, red could be used for dangerous materials, yellow for caution, and blue for items that aren’t dangerous but still require special attention. Using color-coding can help your employees identify dangers, keep track of materials, and provide a visual indication of what’s going on around them. Moreover, you should also design your facilities with clear visibility in mind. Creating areas of high visibility and low visibility can help keep your workers safe. Areas like break rooms and bathrooms, which don’t require much visibility, are ideal for low visibility design. Working areas, such as assembly lines, where visibility is crucial, should be designed with that in mind. Using color, lighting, and design elements like signs and arrows can help you create an environment that is both functional and safe.

Responsible Employment Practices

Beyond the physical working environment, you should also look into responsible employment practices like an open-door policy for employees to voice their concerns, promoting an inclusive work environment. Being sensitive to your employees’ needs can help create a safer work environment by improving morale and reducing stress. An additional Safety practice could include the implementation of a buddy system, where employees are paired with another coworker while they work, to help monitor each other and catch mistakes before they happen.

At the end of the day, manufacturing and distributing companies are expected to uphold a certain standard of Safety. It’s important that you have clear Safety rules, proper training, and clear visibility throughout all areas of your work environment. I also recommend creating a safety committee made up of employees and management team members to help educate others on your safety guidelines. A safety committee can help ensure a commitment to safety across multiple departments and, even better, you could receive a discount on workers comp insurance. Knowing this, COE takes pride in promoting Safety as one of our Core Values. Safety is our top priority for our employees and our product.