What are some basic tips on how to create a proactive safety environment?  Safety plans and procedures are extremely important but may also tend to be complex.  Keeping safety simple as well as proactive within the workplace can not only keep safety accidents from happening but may help increase productivity and profitability.  Keeley Schneider in his article “Proactive Safety Approaches for Safer Manufacturing” proposes four basic ways to keep your safety plan more proactive than reactive.

• Regular Inspections: Schneider suggests doing safety walks on a daily basis at different times throughout the day.  Procedures need to be closely observed and notes need to be taken.  If during one of these safety walks a problem is noted it must be addressed immediately and change must be made to all affected components.  Putting off needed changes can only result in problems in the long run.
• Regular Maintenance: Unfortunately when a machine or a component of a machine starts to fail a short cut may be taken in order to avoid downtime and product deadline delays.  While shortcuts may work temporarily they can cause more serious problems down the line resulting in longer down periods or even worse, worker injury.  Regularly maintaining all equipment and taking the time to fix something the right way the first time will in the long term help keep production running smoothly.
• Everyone is Responsible for Safety: Employees should not be scared to report a safety incident.  They should feel responsible for keeping themselves and others safe.  If they are able to help solve a safety issue, such as a water spill, they should.  If they are unable to safety help out a situation they need to contact someone who can.
• Place Emphasis on Safety Labeling: Because hazardous materials and equipment is required to have labels, make sure that strict importance is placed on this within the workplace.  Be sure that all labels are in place before machinery is started or material containers are put away.  If a warehouse is switching locations, be sure that all labeling happens before containers are moved around in order to avoid any confusion or accidents.  Schneider also suggests that all MSDS sheets are filed immediately and not put off until a later time.

Being proactive in your approach to safety is a smart choice.  Another way to be proactive is by installing high quality safety products that will keep accidents from happening.  SLIPNOT high traction products help prevent slip and fall accidents from ever happening.  The versatile metal products can be installed in new construction or can be retrofit over areas that are currently slippery.

Schneider, Keeley. “ Proactive Safety Approaches for Safer Manufacturing.” www.safety.com  April 24, 2015 <http://www.safety.com/articles/proactive-safety-approaches-safer-manufacturing>