Sheet metal fabrication
The sheet metal fabrication industry has experienced immense growth in the last few years. It offers a host of benefits to other industries, like building, manufacturing, and construction.
In the broadest sense, the fabrication process is all about manufacturing sheet metal components or structures using a series of processes. Often, the steel metal components are assembled to form larger products.
To carry out the fabrication process, large machines are used. Processes like shearing, bending, and manipulating metal are performed, putting metal workers at great risk for injury due to splinters or other unexpected projectiles. Therefore, it becomes crucial to follow safety procedures at all times.
Additionally, maintaining a safe working environment promotes workers‘ productivity and ensures more output in the metal fabrication organization.
Using proper safety gear and creating a safe working environment will minimize the chances of minor and major injuries that can interrupt project timelines, lower employee morale, lessen staff, and raise insurance costs and liability risks.
For maintaining a safer working environment in your fabrication industry, here are a handful of tips that you can consider following:
Don’t wear loose clothing
All workers should wear appropriate clothing while working in the fabrication shop. Loose clothing can get stuck in heavy machinery and may result in severe injuries. Also, avoid keeping your hair loose, and don’t wear jewelry that can get stuck in machinery and cause injury in several ways.
Proper Training
Providing proper training to workers is the major step to ensure a safer working environment. Workers should be well-informed about the equipment they are using and understand the occupational hazards accompanying each piece of equipment. They must be informed about all the safety protocols to prevent the risk of injuries and accidents.
Inspection of tools
The fabrication process is carried out using multiple hand-operated tools with sharp edges. Therefore, before commencing the process, all the tools must be properly checked to ensure that they are in good condition and safe to use.
Be attentive
Workers should be attentive while working in the fabrication shop. Attention will lead to the successful and injury-free completion of a fabrication project. The metalworkers should take all the precautions before they start the process.
Wear safety gloves and goggles
The workers have to cut, shear, and manipulate metal that puts their hands and eyes at great risk of injuries. The splinters and other unexpected projectiles can hurt them. Therefore, they must wear safety gloves and goggles all day long as they handle sheet metal. Each worker should have at least two pairs of rubber or leather gloves and shatterproof eye protection gear.
Equipment maintenance
Conduct proper and frequent equipment maintenance checks. This will ensure that both hand and automatic tools are in good functioning and updated as necessary. The risk of failure increases with each passing day.
To avoid this, you must check your tools and machines regularly so that their condition does not worsen over time!
Use safety gear for ears and head
Wearing proper ear protection and headgear is another safety measure you can take to keep the risk of injuries at bay.
Keep the working environment organized
Ensure that the workspace is properly organized, whether you are working on a worksite or a fabrication shop. Make sure the place you work is clean, properly organized, and free of clutter. It is crucial because messy areas or disorganized space can result in falls or other injuries that can be fatal too. Therefore, organizing the workspace is one of the highest safety precautions everyone should take in their sheet metal fabrication industry.
Communicate safety rules clearly
You should effectively communicate all the safety policies to all the workers working in the fabrication shop. In addition to this, guidelines and limitations should be precisely explained as part of the onboarding process for new workers. You should provide continuous training for the existing ones periodically.
The key to a safe work environment is clear communication and supervision. The general manager or shop supervisor should post signs throughout any fabrication unit, with employees supervised by them for the protocols not only to be followed but also to receive discipline if they are violated!
Conclusion
In any industry, whether its fabrication, manufacturing, construction, safety, and productivity go hand-in-hand. When using metal tools, always wear protective equipment and follow safe practices to avoid hazards.
If you are working in a sheet metal fabrication industry, above are the safety measures you should take to ensure your safety and that of your co-workers. Some firms overlook sheet metal as a potential workplace hazard, leaving workers vulnerable to work-related accidents. Therefore, by covering the safety tips mentioned above, you can avoid accidents and be more productive at work.
We hope that the article has provided you with enough safety tips when using sheet metal fabrication tools. If you have any questions in mind, don’t hesitate to ask in the comments section.
