Staying Safe on the Production Floor
Posted November 3rd, 2014
Workplace safety takes a serious commitment from both the employer and the employee. It doesn’t matter how safe a production floor has been designed to be, if the professionals working on it aren’t committed to their own safety and the safety of the people around them, accidents are inevitable. If you are on the production floor for eight hours a day, or for just a few minutes a week, make sure to follow these “common-sense” safety measures.
Report what is Unsafe
The only way to turn an unsafe environment into a safe environment is for issues to get addressed immediately. And as someone who is down on the production floor regularly, you are in a unique position to spot problems. If anything is creating an unsafe condition, make sure that the responsible party is made aware of it immediately.
Clean Up Messes Quickly and Completely
The production floor is designed to run under ideal conditions. That means that even the smallest mess interrupts the natural balance. Even a small puddle or pile of refuse can cause a catastrophic accident, so make sure these messes get cleaned up immediately, and that everyone is aware of the dangerous conditions.
Use Safety Equipment
Safety equipment like hard hats, steel-toed boots, eye protection, and work gloves are workplace essentials. If you are starting a new job, make sure you find out exactly what equipment you need to work safely, whether the employer provides it, and where you can procure it. These measures are designed to keep you safe without interrupting your ability to work, so there is no excuse not to wear it.
Be Aware of Hazards
One of the most important aspects of workplace safety is to simply be aware when you are in a high-risk situation. This might be when you are handling dangerous substances, working in a low-light area, close to dangerous machinery, or have your attention distracted. Staying safe on the production floor is all about avoiding accidents in the first place, so always take steps to calibrate your risk level and adjust your behavior accordingly.
Watch Out for Others
It is each person’s responsibility to promote safety on the production floor, but not everyone takes the obligation as seriously as they should. Workplace accidents often happen because of the mistakes of others, so be aware of the people around you, and don’t be afraid to call them out it they are doing something that puts you or others at risk.
Increasingly, companies are looking at a job seeker’s background and employment history to determine if they take safety on the production floor seriously. This isn’t just about your health, this is about your career flexibility, too. Work with the team at Bayside Solutions to help you find vacant opportunities, and to craft application documents that highlight your very best qualities.
