Factory jobs are among the most dangerous jobs in the United States. They’re also one of the most common jobs for laborers because the barrier of entry is low and the pay is often good.
Although factories have become much safer over the last few decades, there are still a lot of injuries on the premises. According to OSHA, some of the top injuries for factory workers are related to accidents caused by negligence. Fractures are another common injury in factories, either from repetitive movements or slip and fall accidents, according to Preszler Law BC.
If you’re a factory worker, you need to take steps to limit and prevent injuries before they occur. Here are three tips you can apply.
Pay attention at trainings
Every factory has trainings on safety rules in the factory. You’ll have an in-depth training when you first start working there and a few reminders throughout your time there. It’s easy to zone at at these meetings, especially if it covers things you presume to already know.
However, there are often updates in these meetings that you want to hear. Failing to pay attention could lead you to miss something very important. You might find yourself on the floor in a precarious situation because you didn’t listen to an update.
For example, if you work in precision cast parts, and you aren’t wearing new safety equipment that will better protect your body from burns, you might find yourself in an accident. Remember that your company won’t call a safety meeting unless they feel it’s important, and you need to take note.
If, for some reason, your workplace does not have proper trainings, ask for them. Suggest to a superior that regular trainings might improve work quality and safety. They’re more than likely to oblige, as they’re as interested in safety as you are.
Clean up after yourself
When you were young, your parents might have told you to clean up your belongings. And nowadays, you’re working with dangerous equipment rather than toys. Always clean up after yourself when you’re done working at a station, putting your gear in its proper place and keeping your work area floor spotless.
Failing to put equipment away is one of the most common causes of trip and fall accidents in the workplace. People expect the floors to be clean, and they might not realize there’s something they need to avoid.
Your workplace, no doubt, has very strict rules about cleaning up after yourself. You need to adhere to them closely to avoid an accident.
Don’t rush
Perhaps the most important thing you can do is avoid working too fast. You certainly have deadlines to meet, and you don’t want to get behind by working at a snail’s pace. However, there’s no need to rush.
Moving too quickly with your designated job easily leads to mistakes, which can be dangerous if you’re working with industrial equipment. You might not follow procedures properly or cut corners to get things done. You might also forget essential safety steps when you’re trying to get things done too quickly.
Above all, always abide by the rules set by your employers. If you do not have rules and proper training, insist on them before hitting the floor. Factory work is dangerous by nature, and you can save yourself and others a lot of time and pain if you keep up with safety rules and codes.
