If you are in the fabrication business you may a do a considerable amount of welding services from time to time. When you provide the safest and most efficient work environment, you increase the quality of fabrication and along with this, your customer satisfaction. Here are some helpful tips for making things better for your workforce, so everyone stands to benefit.
Safety in the Workplace
A shop known for its safety compliance is a more popular place to work. It’s important to not only understand, but keep up with all the requirements from OHSA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration).
Your Rules and Regulations May Be Different
What’s required for welding services in Wisconsin may not be the same as in New York or California. When you check rules, be certain they apply to your state. This is especially important for rules concerning fume management. It is also important to check local regulations as well as national.
Frequent Evaluations and Inspections
How often do you (or a company safety representative) conduct official tours of your facility? Simple things like proper housekeeping and making sure tools are always put away can help you avoid needless accidents on the job.
Safety tours should be done on a regular basis. However, it is even more important to conduct unannounced tours or inspections. This is the best way to see if your rules are being followed all the time and not just when an inspection is eminent.
Supplies
The kind of welding sticks used can have a huge impact on air quality. When possible, choose materials with low manganese. This will provide a safer place to breathe. Manganese in the air can contribute to a number of short term and long term health problems. In fact, it can affect the brain and nervous system. In addition, excessive manganese exposure can raise the risk of developing diseases like Parkinson’s.
Avoiding Repetitive Motion Injuries
It can be very hard on the human neck to hold the head in one position for a long period of time. In addition, lowering and raising the protective helmet can cause neck muscle strain. This is why many welding services are turning to self darkening shields. This eliminates the need for raising and lowering shields. In addition, it can increase job efficiency, because there is one less thing for the welder to do.
Fume Management Inspections
It is vital to inspect fume management equipment on a regular basis. Filters must be changed regularly and everything must be in good condition. If you concentrate on worker safety, both the shop and the employee can receive many important benefits.
