What are Safety Standards in Manufacturing?
Safety standards generally refer to the regulations, legislation, guidelines, and best practices that organizations must follow to create a safe working environment. In manufacturing, these standards are developed by government agencies, industry organizations, and other credible groups that establish guidelines to encourage safe work practices and proper awareness within the industry.
Importance
The manufacturing industry is considered to be inherently high risk, with the National Safety Council reporting 490,000 cases of medically consulted injuries in 2022. Most incidents involve slips and falls, machine-related injuries, abrasions, chemical exposure, and overexertion.
Following safety standards is essential to protect workers, ensure product quality, and maintain operational efficiency. As a core facet of manufacturing safety, they establish clear guidelines and protocols to help prevent accidents, injuries, and exposure to hazardous materials, reducing the risk of harm to employees. These standards also promote consistency in production processes, ensuring that products meet quality and safety requirements for consumers.
Understanding Safety Standards in Manufacturing
Manufacturing is a global industry that includes a lot of niche areas or specialties, which have unique safety requirements depending on the activities involved. However, key safety standards from government agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are created to blanket general manufacturing practices as a whole.
Here are some core safety guidelines to help you understand safety standards within the industry:
Machine Guarding
This guideline is primarily intended to protect workers in the machine area of the production floor. For example, OSHA 1910.212 is a safety standard for preventing hazards from rotating parts, flying chips and sparks, and other critical points of machinery. Moreover, it requires employers to provide the appropriate guards affixed to machines to help workers avoid exposure to accidents.
In line with this, region-specific machine guarding policies have also emerged. The OSHA under the European Union (EU) has Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, providing a specific framework for machinery use in manufacturing within the regional market. Moreover, the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), has the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) which defines machine guarding and safety guidelines for businesses within the region.
Hazardous Materials
The scope of this guideline is concerned with classifying hazards present in the workplace and communicating the appropriate measures across the board. For OSHA 1910.1200, this means providing comprehensive hazard communication programs and developing training modules to inform workers of protective measures against hazards from chemical and toxic substances.
Other regions, such as Canada, have their own guidelines such as the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) for more detailed regulations concerning workplace safety. Additionally, the EU places great emphasis on classification and labeling for hazard communication, especially in an industrial setting.
Personal Protective Equipment
Another important guideline for safety is the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Under OSHA 1910.132, employers are required to provide the appropriate PPE depending on the nature of manufacturing activities present in the workplace. This guideline also obliges employers to train each employee on the proper use of PPE to ensure its proper use and disposal.
In some regions like the UK, the HSE places stronger emphasis on employer responsibility for PPE use. It is part of the region’s Employment Rights Act 1996, requiring employers to prioritize worker safety and well-being.
Electrical Safety
Most manufacturing processes rely on machinery and electrical equipment, which is why electrical safety is considered to be a priority. Under OSHA 1910.303, this safety standard requires that all electrical equipment be free from recognized hazards and promotes sustainability for its use.
Lockout/Tagout
This safety standard is concerned with the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment used in manufacturing. Lockout tagout is a protection system against unintentional exposure to hazardous energy from equipment and machinery. OSHA 1910.147 emphasizes that employers and organizations are held to standard for ensuring tools and equipment satisfy minimum performance requirements to prevent incidents.
Best Practices for Safety Procedures
Besides understanding the safety standards required for manufacturing work, it is also essential for organizations to implement proper safety procedures. Here are some of the best practices to ensure a safe working environment in the manufacturing industry:
- Conduct Regular Risk Assessments: Regularly assess the workplace for potential hazards and risks. This includes both physical hazards like machinery and environmental factors like chemical exposure.
- Provide Comprehensive Training Programs: Provide thorough safety training to all employees, especially those operating heavy machinery or dealing with hazardous materials.
- Strive For Ergonomic Workplace Design: Reduce the risk of injuries by designing workstations to minimize strain, fatigue, and excessive bending. Additionally, incorporate worker rotation to prevent repetitive strain from overuse of certain muscle groups.
- Maintain Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with all local, national, and industry-specific safety regulations. Conduct regular inspections and maintenance to display compliance and keep a record of audits for review.
- Keep Teams Updated: Drive up continuous improvement by providing teams with safety updates to identify areas for improvement and ensure adherence to protocols.
Gabrielle Cayabyab
