Preventing Workplace Injuries in Metal Fabrication

Every year the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cites companies in the metal fabrication industry for violations, costing them millions of dollars in fines. The reality is that unsafe working conditions cost both workplaces and workers far more money indirectly as well. Onsite accidents are expensive in terms of workers’ compensation, medical treatment, damage to equipment and buildings, and lost work time. Working in the metal fabrication industry can be physically challenging, but in a shop that respects federal regulations and implements the proper safety procedures and equipment, it should not be dangerous.

What Types of Workplace Injuries Are Most Common?

Workers in the metal fabrication industry are at risk for a number of injuries, including:

  • Injuries from repetitive movements, poor posture, or lifting
  • Injuries from exposure to harmful materials
  • Injuries from improper operation of equipment
  • Injuries from unguarded areas or improper workplace layout

The good news is that, since the implementation of OSHA in 1971, workplaces have been getting safer as employers have invested in purchasing safety equipment. Without the proper safety tools like masks, respirators, eye and ear guards, gloves, adjustable workstations, barriers, loading dock equipment, and trolleys, workers are physically vulnerable. If workers are not trained to use that equipment and required to use it all of the time, however, it will be ineffective.

How Do We Prevent Injuries from Occurring?

Shop managers must first make sure that all safety equipment is installed and working correctly. Employees should have tools that are proper sized and easy to use. The facilities in which they work should be well lit and free of clutter. Safety rules and protocols should be posted in communal areas.

The staff must be trained continuously on how to use the equipment. This will require shop managers to keep regular records to ensure that new hires are made aware of shop’s safety protocols and that the staff as a whole has periodic refresher courses on safety, weekly if possible. There should be clear communication from management on its expectations from employees and what the consequences are for workers who do not follow safety protocols.

Finally, the entire shop needs to be inspected regularly. Shop managers should make daily rounds to make sure the safety equipment is in place and functional and employees are utilizing it correctly. When small accidents or near misses occur in the shop, managers need to walk their employees through what happened and point out any missteps in protocol or neglect of safety. A record of problems should be updated along with the steps that managers have taken to correct them.

A shop that makes a commitment to creating and maintaining safety protocols will experience fewer workplace injuries, accidents, and losses. We at D+M Metal Products take safety seriously, and our efforts to ensure a safe work environment and avoid injuries have been recognized. Last April we were pleased to be awarded the Safety Award of Honor by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA) and CNA. We believe that safety regulations are in place to help everyone – workers, employers, and the industry as a whole. A safer shop is a better, more productive, and more profitable shop.

 

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