Keeping manufacturing workers safe

Manufacturing companies in Georgia and elsewhere have improved their safety standards over the last few decades by moving towards automation. However, many manufacturing workers are still at serious risk for injuries, especially in plants where productivity is considered to be a higher priority than safety. For those who wish to improve this situation, there are some helpful tips.

Manufacturing companies that are serious about improving workplace safety should establish safety best practices. This includes implementing fall protection measures, such as guardrails and platforms, and creating safe maintenance guidelines for heavy equipment and machinery. To make it easier for workers adhere to safety guidelines, the procedures should be easy to follow.

Safety guidelines are also more likely to be complied with if safety is one of the highest priorities of the boss and the supervisors. Owners should set the tone for the importance of safety in the workplace while supervisors should be committed to ensuring that workers follow the safety guidelines. If supervisors and bosses only focus on the productivity of the workers, the workers may let safety adherence fall to the wayside in order to keep up.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, approximately four out of every 100 workers in manufacturing plants suffer an illness or injury each year. In most cases, they are entitled to seek workers' compensation benefits that could include the payment or reimbursement of medical expenses as well as in some cases the restoration of a percentage of the wages that were lost during the recovery period. An attorney can outline the procedures and deadlines associated with filing a claim.