Manufacturing facilities are inherently risky. Heavy machinery, stacked pallets, and environmental hazards are part of the job. However, as an employer, you are legally and ethically required to protect your employees. While it would be impossible to eliminate all risks, partnering with a manufacturing staffing agency can help to promote workplace safety in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Why Should Manufacturers Prioritize Workplace Safety?
Workplace injuries are shockingly common. In 2022, there were more than 2.8 million recorded injuries. Sadly, over 5,000 injuries proved fatal. Manufacturing facilities are at higher risk than many other types of workplaces simply due to the nature of the work. Even relatively minor injuries can result in high medical bills, lost productivity, loss of reputation, and other hits to your business. If your organization is found to be at fault or negligent, there could be additional legal repercussions. Here are just a few reasons to prioritize safety in the workplace.
Protect Employees
Ultimately, the point of prioritizing workplace safety is to protect your employees. They work hard for you and deserve to know they are safe at work. You can’t eliminate all risk, but you can vastly increase the chances of everyone returning home to their families at the end of the work day.
Regulatory Compliance
Federal, state, and local regulations strictly govern manufacturing facilities. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the main regulatory body, but they aren’t the only one. You must ensure that you are in full compliance.
Reduce Costs
Workplace injuries can be expensive. Workers’ compensation will likely cover most costs, but complicated liability issues can affect whether you are responsible for certain expenses. In addition, having a worker out of commission while recuperating could mean paying for a replacement. The best way to keep your costs as low as possible is to promote safety across your operations.
Improve Productivity
Cutting corners on a deadline can be tempting, but that rarely works out how you would hope. A safe workplace is a productive workplace. When everyone knows how best to protect themselves and others, and clear guidelines are always followed, your workers are free to focus on their tasks. In addition, keeping everyone safe reduces the risk of losing an employee or two due to injuries, which could set your entire production schedule back.
Minimize Downtime
When a safety incident occurs, you’ll have to shut down some portion of your operations for some time. A minor injury might only mean turning off a specific machine while you inspect it. But something more serious could result in a significant part of your worksite being down for weeks while local authorities scour for clues as to how the incident occurred.
What Role Does a Manufacturing Staffing Agency Play in Ensuring a Safe Working Environment
Staffing agencies in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington are intimately familiar with the Pacific Northwest. We understand the unique challenges and safety concerns that manufacturers in this region face. We’re dedicated to helping you promote safety in your workplace, and we offer a few key benefits to assist with this process.
Rigorous Screening and Hiring Practices
Dedicated manufacturing staffing and recruiting services are experts in this line of business. We know how important it is to hire staff members who not only have the skills and experience to do the job safely but also have a safety-oriented mindset. We’ll set you up for success through our rigorous screening and hiring practices, which are designed to thoroughly vet potential employees.
Comprehensive Safety Training Programs
Safety training is one of the best things you can do to help protect your team members. We offer comprehensive safety training programs that can be fully customized to meet your individual facility’s needs. We can provide one-time pre-employment training and optional ongoing refresher courses to keep your team members up to date over time.
Customized Safety Solutions to Meet the Needs of Manufacturing Companies
Safety solutions are not one-size-fits-all. Depending on the exact nature of your facility, you may need to provide a myriad of specific solutions, including:
- Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hard hats or safety goggles
- Chemical spill stations
- Harnesses and other gear for working at heights
- Survival suits for those at risk of falling in the ocean
We’ll meet with you to thoroughly understand your facility and operations. Then, using our professional experience, we will suggest the safety solutions that may be right for you. We can also help you source needed items and train your workers in how to use them properly.
Helping Manufacturers Comply with Local, State, and Federal Safety Regulations
A manufacturing staffing agency is extremely well-positioned to help you comply with all relevant safety regulations. We have deep expertise in the manufacturing industry across the Pacific Northwest, including the applicable safety laws and regulations. We’ll take care of compliance while you care for your manufacturing customers.
Ensure Employees are Well-Prepared for Emergencies
You might have the best safety policies in the industry, but they won’t do you any good if your employees have no idea what to do when an incident occurs. That’s why we’ll help you create emergency action plans to deal with a range of potential threats, including but not limited to:
- Active shooters
- Bomb threats
- Chemical spills
- Extreme weather events such as blizzards or earthquakes
- Fires
- Gas leaks
- Medical emergencies
- Protracted power outages
You must communicate your emergency action plans to everyone on your team and run practice drills at least once a year. Post-emergency evacuation routes should be established in several locations throughout your facility, and copies of your emergency action plans should be kept where everyone can easily access them.
Safety is critical in all manufacturing facilities, but it isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each worksite is different, with its own needs and concerns. When you partner with an experienced manufacturing staffing agency, you’ll have expert backing to help ensure that your safety solutions are comprehensive, well-implemented, and tailored to your specific facility.
Looking to Hire Safety-Conscious Team Members? Partner with Opti Staffing in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington for Manufacturing Staffing Needs
Opti Staffing Group is a locally owned and operated full-service manufacturing staffing agency in the Pacific Northwest. We put people first with five offices in Anchorage, Alaska; Lake Oswego, Portland, Oregon; Tacoma; and Vancouver, Washington. We understand the unique challenges and hazards the manufacturing industry faces and take the awesome responsibility of seriously keeping your team members safe. That’s why we promote safety at every step, from carefully vetting potential employees to helping you develop and implement emergency action plans. If you’re ready to hire your next safety-conscious team member, request an employee today.