Increasing Safety Communication For The Manufacturing Floor

Making safety a priority should be at the top of every company's list, regardless of its size or industry. Manufacturing, however, must maintain even greater vigilance than other industries. There are additional ways safety failures and the consequences of safety issues within a manufacturing company are more likely to cause harm, such as life-threatening injury. The decision makers in charge of safety in manufacturing plants should consider digital signage as a helpful tool to increase their communication on the manufacturing floor.

Unlike other jobs in front of a computer or in an office, manufacturing employees are on a line or otherwise engaged in their tasks. They aren't near a computer to read the latest email or by the phone to receive the latest message or text. They may work near or on loud machinery, making them unable to hear a loudspeaker or intercom. Their very jobs make it difficult for them to receive important communication. And the last thing they want to do is read a wordy notice that's hung in the break room. Unfortunately, these employees are likely to miss critical safety updates and reminders that could keep them from being involved in an accident.

Digital signage is able to get messages to those on the manufacturing floor so they can see and absorb them easily. Here are 7 ways digital signage software can increase employee buy in on safety practices and help create a safer workplace.

It's easy to share inspiring information on digital displays. For example, days without an accident informs and motivates employees to take extra care to keep the streak going. Another smart statistic to share is hours without downtime. These types of information are easy to digest for employees and increase their morale as they are doing the right things to keep the floor safe. With digital signage there can be cool, eye-catching graphs and charts that offer a helpful visual of the information.

Digital signage can be integrated into the calendar. Every day, week, or month information is shared based on the calendar entries. Reminders to pick up new safety equipment, for example, Using digital displays with bright, sharp graphics is more likely to get their attention than posting these updates on a bulletin board by the time clock. Not only do these updates get in front of employees, they take the company to a new level by elevating the safety culture as a whole.

Even seasoned employees need protocol reminders so they don't get lax and careless. Quick, short snippets on the digital displays showcasing proper processes keep safety at the forefront of everyone's minds. These reminders make them less likely to put down their guards. Instructions regarding safety can also be conveyed through digital signage. How to wear protective equipment, areas to stay away from, how often to change ear protection, and how to use an eyewash station are just a few of the instructions that can periodically be displayed on the large screens so the employees on the manufacturing floor see them.

Every employee being aware of and embracing OSHA standards is pivotal in creating a culture of safety in your organization. They will supply you information to use to craft the digital signage messages. Use the data that's relevant to your type of business when you're writing the content to make sure the employees relate to it and find it valuable.

There are all types of alerts that can be shared through digital signage. Meeting alerts are one example. Alerts to do with the working environment are another. For example, if a machine breaks down, the other workers on the line need to know about it and be prepared for a disruption. A third type of alert would be if something happened on the floor, like a broken water main or a fire, that could cause harm if everyone didn't know about it. Digital displays can get safety alerts out quickly and succinctly, along with directions on what to do next (stand by, evacuate, move to another area, etc).

Teams on the manufacturing floor look to their managers for guidance on how to perform their jobs This includes information on how to stay safe. While good managers work to keep safety as a prime goal, even the best managers could use assistance in helping their teams stay focused on safety habits every day, all the time. Digital signage can function as a manager's assistant and fill the gaps managers may leave because of their heavy workloads or pressing work issues. By following up what managers have shared about safety with reminders, videos, and statistical data, each worker hears and sees the communication more than once. Over time, safety standards become ingrained in their minds. The bottom line is that employees can't hear communications about safety too often!

Keeping employees engaged and aligned toward a common goal day after day is difficult. Workplace safety is one area where everyone can agree. By focusing on safety for the manufacturing floor, each employee can feel like they are doing their part to follow the regulations and keep everyone safe and healthy. Videos showing employees how to follow protocol and how to handle emergencies gives staff a visual on expectations. Little cartoons are another way to get messages across. By keeping the focus on safety, you can promote inclusion and increase engagement across all departments and all shifts.

Making sure that communication about safety requirements and protocols reaches the employees on the manufacturing floor is critical to maintaining standards and reducing accidents. This poses a unique challenge due to the very nature of their work. Digital signage is a viable solution. By creating content that addresses metrics, alerts, and reminders, digital displays help keep safety at the forefront of employees' minds. This builds a company culture that prioritizes safety standards, which benefits everyone.