Chicago is a major business hub for many industries, especially manufacturing. C-level manufacturing executives in The Windy City need to maintain high standards for their companies to remain successful and competitive. One of the best, and arguably the most important, ways to stay competitive is to keep a safe and compliant workplace. Employees are the backbone of manufacturing companies, and ensuring they are safe and healthy can be the difference between business success and failure. If you’re wondering how you can implement better policies for workplace safety, you should start with these helpful tips.
Avoid Understaffing
Understaffing refers to a condition where not enough employees are available to operate a workplace during a particular shift or date. Understaffing is very common in large cities like Chicago, as demands are high, but there aren’t enough employees to go around. Understaffing not only stresses out the employees you have, but it can also lead to significant safety issues. Manufacturing companies require a lot of labor and hands to operate safely and efficiently. A single employee doing the role of many can lead to fatigue, stress, and injury. Hire enough employees to get the job done safely. Provide efficient training to these employees and account for any employees who quit or call out without compromising the safety of the rest of the team.
Invest in Employee Training
Employee quantity isn't the only concern you should have when it comes to workplace safety at a Chicago manufacturing company. Quality is just as, if not more so, important than quantity. You won’t remain ahead of Chicago competition without proper employee training. You need to invest in thorough and engaging training programs for your employees. Not only will adequate training allow them to perform a job’s roles correctly, but it can also keep them safe and healthy. A lot of things can go wrong when mistakes are made during the manufacturing process. Set employees up for success by investing in their training. Don’t rush the process or cut corners. Ensure training is paid.
Regularly Inspect Workplaces
Chicago is well-known for its many manufacturing giants, including several Fortune 500 companies. These workplaces are busy and highly populated; a single equipment failure or gas leak can lead to the deaths of many. It is the responsibility of management to ensure that workplaces are performing at peak safety standards, from forklifts to door locks. Inspect all equipment, tools, and structures for safety issues. Include adequate safety alarms and warnings to prevent disaster before it happens. For example, an alarm on a forklift sounds when the machinery is in reverse, warning all employees nearby to get out of the way. When this alarm doesn’t sound, it can cause catastrophic workplace injuries. Not only will the employee be out of work, but they may even lose their life. They will often obtain a prominent Chicago forklift accident lawyer to inspect your workplace for you, which can shut your business down. Manufacturing companies deal with a lot of equipment and machinery; it’s prevalent to inspect all of them on a regular basis.
Budget for Compliance and Safety
The US government and the state of Illinois have several laws, regulations, and standards in place to keep companies operating safely. Complying with these regulations can cost more overhead, but ignoring them can result in your company being shut down. Instead of cutting corners or operating illegally, budget for adequate safety standards. Don’t just adhere to the bare minimum. When you account for safety compliance in your operating costs, you won’t have to worry about as many surprise expenses down the line.
Stay on Top of Industry Standards
Regulations and industry trends change every day. As a manufacturing company in a famous city like Chicago, you want to be very up to date with equipment hazards, product recalls, and other news to make sure you’re operating at peak performance. C-level executives need to familiarize themselves with industry standards and adapt quickly when these trends change. An adaptable company is a successful company.
Provide Health Benefits
A manufacturing company requires a lot of labor. Stress, fatigue, and illness can seriously impact product quality and workplace safety. Invest in your employees, and they will invest in you. Provide adequate healthcare coverage to make sure your employees are performing at peak health. Factor in health insurance into your company’s overhead. Not only will your workplace be safer and more efficient, but your employee turnover rate can be reduced when they receive the benefits they need.
Employ Feedback
Feedback from industry professionals, employees, and inspectors can change everything. If you take feedback and work it into your business plan when necessary, you can make your workplace much safer. Employees feel valued when feedback is accepted and responded to, which can also improve company safety standards.
Conclusion
From forklift inspections to OSHA compliance, there are many steps involved in ensuring that manufacturing workplaces are safe and positive environments. Health and safety should be prioritized throughout the company, not just management. C-level executives in Chicago (and everywhere) need to evaluate their safety standards and protocols to see where they can improve.
