How often do you convey the idea of safety at work? Anyone focused on proficiency, should give equal weight to workplace safety since the two go hand-and-hand.

By Nick Warrick

A safe workplace prevents potential injuries and illnesses. It's an effective tool for increasing productivity while encouraging premium services. Additionally, the employees' morale tends to increase, establishing an environment fit for catering to the customers' needs.

However, you can only achieve a safe workplace if the company's management is on board. Businesses that overlook safety are prone to several challenges, including legal consequences.

Familiarize yourself with tips for maintaining workplace safety in the fast-growing packaging industry.

Working To Establish a Culture That Is Centered on Safety

How often do you convey the idea of safety at work? Establishing a culture where safety is a priority will encourage employees to be cautious while adhering to the company's packaging policies.

In addition, ensure that you survey and monitor workers frequently. Check the equipment regularly to reduce possible hazards.

Reward Good Behavior

Rewarding good behavior is an easy yet effective way of encouraging all workers to follow safety policies. Giving rewards will make workers adhere to strict safety measures. Also, it will engage them in your venture while reducing the chances of injuries.

Implement Fire Prevention Measures

Making sure you have a working strategy to help stop a fire is essential. Effective fire prevention measures protect your property and workers. Such measures include:

• Installing functional fire extinguishers
• Ensuring that all staff members can reach the fire department, perhaps through the phone
• Prohibiting smoking near flammable products and wrapping materials
• Turning off heated appliances when not in use

However, some fire incidences in certain industries can be inevitable. Therefore, consider equipping your employees with FR clothing that prevents catastrophic burns and bruises.

The Importance of Signs and Labels

Signs and labels are a great option depending on your budget and limitations. Labels communicate crucial information swiftly and effectively. In addition, labels are straightforward to make and communicate volumes of information in a single glance.

Signs and labels can also convey warnings, coupled with reminders, for even the most experienced and competent workers.

Have a Clean Environment

A cluttered and messy environment can lead to accidents that could have been avoidable. Therefore, it’s important that you conduct regular inspections around your packaging company. Ensure that the working area is clean and well organized, and discourage workers from littering the floor or causing destruction in usable areas.

Keep an eye out for messy floors and disorganized tools and equipment. Untangle the cords and ensure that the responsible personnel is corrected accordingly. Employees also need good indoor air quality to protect their health and boost performance.

Additionally, consider implementing programs that will help promote cleanliness in the workplace. Research suggests that a clean environment promotes enthusiasm in your team. Therefore, your employees will incline toward productivity while avoiding hazards.

Give Your Employees a Break

Your employee's health is essential. Therefore, allow them to stretch and give time to replenish their energy in between shifts. Each break should be 5 to 10 minutes. A short break decreases the tension of packaging products and reduces repetitive motion injuries.

Talk to Your Team Regularly

As an employer, ensure your employees know they can approach you with health-related concerns. Prioritizing your employees' safety protects you from lawsuits and deteriorated productivity. To strengthen cohesion in your workplace, strive for close relations within your team.

Encourage your team to immediately report hazards and other concerns that might pose a threat in the future. If you are always informed, you can provide direction to help promote safety in your packaging company.

Nominate or appoint an employee to serve as safety captain in your company. The safety captain must be friendly and allow others to approach them in times of trouble.

Conduct Meetings with Your Staff Members

It's important to be over-prepared. Regular meetings enable you to caution and correct mistakes. Remember to review the company's safety rules during the sessions. Discuss measures to implement to prevent and avert future troubles.

Protect the Products Being Packaged

Losing customers is the last thing any business owner wants to think about. The employees must take good care of the products and equipment they are handling. Install cameras in the building to monitor and correct your team when mistakes are made. Furthermore, you can hire a supervisor to inspect the products before packing them.

Follow Instructions When Handling Equipment

Employees must follow procedures when handling equipment in the workplace. Don't forget to adjust all equipment before use. Alternatively, you can hire a professional to ensure everything is running well.

Staff members should use the equipment for the purpose intended. In addition, they need to use lift tables when lifting heavy equipment.

Maintain Equipment Regularly

Regularly servicing the packaging equipment ensures smooth production and prevents your employees from getting injuries. Check lubricating machinery to avoid future issues. In addition, be sure to replace worn components and other faulty equipment.

Hire an operator to inspect the machinery and thoroughly clean the most used equipment. A professional will help you diagnose performance issues in the machines.

Avoid Using Unfamiliar Machinery

Employees should avoid working beyond their capabilities unless advised by an operator. Train your team to work on specific types of machinery. Provide each of them with clear operating procedures and safety protocols to observe when using machinery.

With warning signs, it's easy to avoid common workplace injuries. Supervisors, on the other hand, should monitor employees that are operating unfamiliar equipment.

Clear Emergency Exits

All walkways in the packaging industry must be clear. Clear paths enable the workers to move safely in an emergency. Blocked exit doors, on the other hand, create confusion and may pose a safety hazard. Your manager needs to do a walk-around in advance to verify if all exit routes are open.

Employers in the packaging industry need to prioritize their staff members’ safety. Employees should have a secure workplace to increase productivity and promote good health.

If you follow these tips for maintaining workplace safety in the fast-growing packaging industry, your employees will feel safe and work efficiently.

Nick Warrick is sales manager at All Seasons Uniforms, a professional workwear company based outside of Chicago that has been in business since 1991.