Both the employees and the employer are responsible for a safe work environment. Working together, the workplace can be productive, comfortable, and safe. In manufacturing, there are many areas where dangers occur and accidents can happen, causing injury to workers. Assembly line workers, especially, are at risk of getting hurt on the job due to moving parts and machinery. To learn more about protecting employees from the dangers of assembly lines, read on as we look at some methods you can apply to your production facility.
Safety Gear
Employers should supply assembly line employees with safety gear or PPE when necessary. Safety gear might include the following:
- Voltage-rated gloves
- Flame-resistant clothing
- Arc-rated clothing
- Cut-protective gloves and clothing
- Chemical-safe gloves and clothing
- Eye protection
Ongoing Safety Training
Training for assembly line safety is essential and should be ongoing as there are new developments, ideas, and improvements in safety measures.
Safety training isn’t only for those working on the assembly lines. Offer it to employers, assembly line employees, and any other employees who are near the assembly line workers, so they know what to do in an emergency.
Assembly Line Guarding
Assembly line machine guarding comes in many forms and varies depending on the production line and how it is equipped. Choosing the right safety guard for your machines on the assembly lines is imperative to protecting employees and production. Safety guards keep hands, faces, and other body parts safe from sparks, moving parts, and other dangers from assembly line machinery.
Report Hazards
There should be protocol for reporting hazards noticed by employees and employees should feel confident in reporting anything unusual or suspicious even if it turns out to be nothing. Employees should never hesitate to make a report so everyone is safe.
Take Your Breaks
When working on an assembly line, don’t try to skip breaks to get more done. When you don’t take a break, your body and mind wear out and you can’t react quickly or think clearly. Employers should insist on the legal requirement for breaks and offer even more if possible.
As you protect employees from the dangers of assembly lines, you’ll notice grateful employees who aren’t eager to move on to another company, and your company will gain an excellent reputation for safety and concern for employees.
