Managing Health and Safety in a Dynamic, Fast-Paced Manufacturing Environment

21st August 2023

As an on-site Health & Safety Expert in the automotive manufacturing sector, I understand the paramount importance of health and safety requirements.

Minimising risk in a high-risk environment

In this industry, the risks faced by employees are significantly elevated compared to a typical manufacturing facility. The nature of working with heavy components, high-level storage racking, and a constant flow of forklifts, tow trains, and commercial vehicle movements necessitates a heightened focus on health and safety.

Within an automotive manufacturing facility, the factory floors are vibrant and bustling with manufacturing robots and equipment. Thousands of workers collaborate in this complex supply chain. It is a challenging task to maintain a smooth operation, which is why ensuring the health and safety of employees is a top priority. Managing hazards and maintaining a robust inspection regime are central to our success.

In a dynamic manufacturing environment, nothing is more crucial than health and safety

It involves sensibly managing risks to protect both workers and the business itself. Due to the multitude of production lines and equipment, each one must be thoroughly analyzed to identify and minimize potential risks. Health and safety in manufacturing environments require more proactive measures compared to other businesses, as there are a greater number of situations and hazards to consider. Each manufacturing process comes with its own unique set of hazards.

In addressing safety hazards within the manufacturing process, R&HA relies on the Countermeasure Ladder as a guiding framework. The utilization of the Countermeasure Ladder prompts us to approach the hazard mitigation process with critical thinking. Instead of simply resolving issues through training or audits, we emphasize the importance of thorough analysis to achieve optimal hazard resolution. Our aim is to address each identified hazard at the highest possible step on the ladder, ensuring that the most effective preventive measures are determined and implemented.

Major hazards common to most industries

Some major hazards common to most industries include:

• Slips, trips and falls
• Machine guarding
• Powered industrial vehicles
• Electrical hazards
• Lock Out – Tag Out of equipment
• Environmental hazards

Manufacturing processes must be evaluated for these hazards as well as pinch points, sharp edges, bump hazards, confined spaces, and any other unique hazards specific to the process. Once identified, it is critical to take action to minimize or eliminate these hazards in order to ensure the safety of employees. This entails identifying the training requirements for staff who operate machinery and tools, teaching them the correct operating procedures, and providing guidance on how to react in different situations.

Health and safety training is mandatory

Mandatory health and safety training is an integral part of our onboarding process for new team members. Before they begin working with us, they undergo comprehensive training to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to work safely.

Regular team meetings are conducted every morning to discuss safety, wellness, quality, efficiency, and other metrics. These meetings provide a platform to address any safety issues, injuries, or opportunities for process improvements.

We have dedicated areas for safety training where individuals can work with systems firsthand before they are allowed on the production floor. This approach helps foster a group-wide culture of health and safety, starting from the grassroots level.

Strong leadership is a key component of effective health and safety management

Health and safety management involves the active involvement of managers, workers, suppliers, contractors, and customers. In a global context, health and safety also play a crucial role in the movement towards sustainable development (ESG). At R&HA, we understand the complexity of health and safety and stay up-to-date with all regulations and changes in order to ensure compliance in all the areas where we operate.

As an on-site Health & Safety Expert, my role is to prioritise the well-being of employees and the smooth operation of the manufacturing facility. By proactively managing health and safety risks, implementing comprehensive training programs, and fostering a culture of safety from the ground up, we aim to create a secure and thriving working environment for all.

Here’s how the 360 onsite logistics audit and assessment works!

Put us to the test, what have you got to lose?

Contact us for a FREE ‘on site' logistics audit – carried out under a non disclosure agreement - our findings will be reported in full confidence and will provide a detailed analysis of where savings and improvements can be made.

_{There’s only one condition - you must be UK based and be operating in the automotive sector, with a head count of around 25 - 30 or more operating in logistics roles.}