How Prioritizing Safety In Factories Doubles Worker Productivity
No matter how they are trained, factory workers will always be exposed to dangerous environments due to their line of work. So how can we keep employees safe while they maintain productivity?
No matter how many times they are trained, factory workers will always be exposed to dangerous environments due to their line of work. They deal with heavy machinery, all sorts of chemicals, and work in an enclosed space.
Heavy machinery, if mishandled, can lead to amputations, fractures, and severe injuries which can translate into disabilities later on. Workers have to work at different levels since many machines are huge and need to be operated at an elevation. Some of these machines require a lot of strength in order to be run properly.
Apart from machines, there are many different chemicals factory workers have to deal with and some of these chemicals used are extremely toxic and can pose a threat to their health. It is quite common for factory workers to be diagnosed with cancer or other terminal diseases once they are older, due to the number of years they spend working at these factories.
The noise from all the factory work damages hearing and creates auditory issues. There are also fire and electric shock hazards too, especially since factories are made up of confined spaces.
With all that being said, you might think that health and safety requirements can slow down work but there are actually several safety factors that contribute to a worker’s productivity. Let’s take a look at some.
Employee Safety
A lot of measures can be taken to keep employees safe in factories: They can be provided with protective clothing to avoid any chemicals coming in contact with their skin directly, they can be given masks to prevent them from inhaling fumes which are detrimental to their health.
Factory workers should have toe caps on at all times to protect their feet and they should also have fire extinguishers within their reach. They should undergo thorough and regular checkups to ensure their physical health.
Companies should have trained medical personnel on site to keep an eye on the factory workers and aid them in case they are injured alongside having generous insurance policies to compensate workers if they are ever harmed.
Employee Morale
When employees know that they are cared for by their companies and are considered an asset, they will have the motivation to work harder and will take the goals set out for them very seriously.
Engaging employees is one of the most difficult yet important tasks for human resource departments anywhere in the world. If workers are not engaged and their concerns are not heard, they will never feel like they are a part of the company and will not own up to their work.
Ensuring the safety of employees from the hazards of the workplace will make them feel safer and want to show up for work. They would want to do better and would want to speed up processes. Workers are encouraged to stay productive since their efficiency levels decide the output of all the processes in the factories.
Employees can continue to be productive only if machines are working properly and are serviced on time. For this reason, companies should use CMMS software so that machines can be maintained regularly and are checked up on time to avoid problems. This also ensures safety of workers who put their lives on the line and when machines run the way they are supposed to, it increases the productivity of the workers too.
Downtime Decreased
Downtime is reduced when employees are provided with a safe environment since operations will be carried out smoothly and there will be no delays in between. This helps workers stay on schedule and helps them become efficient.
Efficiency is what speeds up processes and helps workers stay on track. A safe environment would mean that there are minimum disruptions and workers are able to stay on schedule. Accidents in the workplace can slow down workers since operations have to temporarily be shut down.
Worker productivity is crucial for work in the factory since the output is determined by the speed of workers. The same productivity is eventually translated in profits for the company which is why companies should focus on the wellbeing of their staff. This can save companies a lot of trouble and they can continue with their daily operations without any interruptions.
Worker Turnover
Ensuring worker safety keeps the turnover of employees low and increases employee retention. Every time an employee leaves, a company has to focus on training the new hire and this takes up a lot of time. Workers may end up leaving if they do not feel secure in their workplace.
The hiring process is a long one and it takes weeks to find the right candidate. If workers feel safe, secure, and heard in their workplace, they show their loyalty by staying there for long periods of time.
Some workers shift their jobs by working for their previous employer’s competitor. Factory workers may abstain from this if they feel like their physical wellbeing is prioritized.
Decreased Absenteeism
Workers who are always stressed out about their jobs and feel overworked tend to slack off and stop showing up to work regularly. Factory workers find their work not only redundant but also dangerous at times. This causes them to stay home most days and companies suffer since production processes are delayed.
When workers see that their safety is on top of a company’s priority list and it will go above and beyond to protect its employees, then they will pay back by showing up to work regularly and meeting deadlines.
Conclusion
Even though modern technology has been designed to provide users with comfort, most factories have harsh conditions and pose a significant threat to workers. There are many hazards associated with the machines, chemicals and ingredients used at factories. For this reason, the safety of workers is absolutely necessary, otherwise they will fall sick quite easily, won’t be able to show up for work, or may quit altogether.
A lot of companies have started focusing on employee safety and have introduced programs to train them properly in order to keep them safe from the dangers posed.
When employees are taken care of, they are motivated to work better and be more efficient. For this reason, if there is more emphasis on a worker’s safety, they will be more productive.