How Can We Make Manufacturing Factories Safer for Workers? Let's Discuss Solutions

Addressing Safety in Manufacturing Factories

As we all know, accidents are a serious issue in the factories of the manufacturing sector. I recently interned at a manufacturing company that dealt with many such cases on a daily basis. Despite the standard system present in the company to deal with such occurrences, the workers are often not satisfied with the way these issues are handled.

How do you propose these accidents can be dealt with in a better way in companies so that the workers find the factories safer to work in?

Thank you.

Regards

Accidents do occur in manufacturing sectors, but preventive maintenance must be prioritized. Providing PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) is essential, including:

- Hand gloves
- Glasses suitable for welders
- Helmets
- Gum boots

Firefighting equipment should be installed in strategic locations, and personnel need to be trained in firefighting. First aid must be readily available. If there are more than 500 workers, a qualified nurse is required, and for more than 1,000 workers, a qualified doctor should be present. In the event of accidents, companies should have a tie-up with local hospitals for treatment.

ESIC (Employees' State Insurance Corporation) must be informed within 24 hours for workers availing ESIC facilities, which compensates for some pay loss and provides medical benefits.

These are some of the measures to be taken in case of accidents.

The manufacturing sector takes the laws and procedures for handling accidents very seriously. Apart from this, here are some suggestions to make the safety of the workers more effective:

1. Have safety meetings either weekly or monthly to help educate your employees about the proper procedures for the manufacturing plant.
2. Keep all work areas clean and organized.
3. Reward the workers for behaving safely. This will encourage such behavior in the organization.

Miss Nidhi, yes, you are right. Accidents are a serious issue in factories where manufacturing is concerned. As mentioned in the earlier comments, promoting safe working ethics will work. Also, rewarding the employees will encourage them to take extra precautions while working. However, it is a two-way street. It is the company's responsibility as well to take care of the safety of the workers.

There are a number of Acts, namely the Factories Act, 1948, or the Employees' Compensation Act, etc., which deal with situations and issues relating to accidents in connection with or in the course of employment.

In addition, some cases may also fall under the category of medico-legal cases involving actions under criminal law, such as fatal accidents, etc.

Accident cases under any section are required to be handled according to the rules and regulations specified therein.

Safety Guidelines for the Manufacturing Sector

Hello Nidhi! I would like to bring it to your attention that the safety guidelines for the manufacturing sector are more or less the same as in other industries. I would like to stress a few points though:

• Safety clothing like gloves, helmets, gears, glasses, etc., should be provided and ensured to be worn by the employees.
• All equipment, tools, and machinery should be regularly serviced and maintained.
• Employees working near machine areas should tie their hair to prevent it from getting pulled or stuck in the machinery.
• Loose clothing and jewelry should be prohibited in the machine work area.
• Safety manuals should be easily accessible to workers for review at any time.
• Proper training is essential as the saying goes, "a stitch in time saves nine."

I hope this information is helpful. Warm wishes for your endeavors.

Regards

Enhancing Worker Safety Post-Accident

With any action you take post-accident, workers will always tend to express their dissatisfaction. I suggest the following steps:

- Increase workers' participation in the safety management program by forming a safety committee. Hold safety committee meetings at regular intervals, say once a month. The meetings must be attended by workers' representatives and the plant head. Let suggestions come from workers; accept good suggestions, implement them, and reward the concerned employee in a big celebration.

- Conduct safety competitions among workers and reward the winners. Involve workers in accident investigation work. Regularly conduct safety awareness training for workers. Display the safety management information system (MIS) accessible to all employees. After every accident, brief all the workers about the root cause of the accident and the corrective actions implemented.

In short, create awareness among workers about the serious concern your management has regarding the safety of employees. This will help you in creating a good atmosphere within the factory concerning safety. Workers should feel that day by day, the safety conditions in the factory are improving, and senior management is very serious about the safety of workers.

I wish you success in your efforts.