There’s a myth that light industrial work is unsafe and hazardous. In reality, they’re safer than you might think, thanks to the strict standards that companies must follow by law.
The Risks & Hazards of Light Industrial Jobs
There are many roles in the light industrial field. From operating machines to being on the assembly line, to operating a forklift, to being a warehouse worker, these are only a tiny sampling of jobs. It would be foolish to say that these jobs are 100% safe. In fact, proper training, and in some cases certifications, are required to keep workers safe.
Some of the risks and hazards you might encounter (depending on your role and place of employment) are:
- Impact hazards
- Slips, Trips and Falls hazards
- Struck By/In-Between hazards
- Chemical hazards
- Heat/cold
- Material Handling/Loading
- Environmental hazards
- Atmospheric, smoke or poisonous gases
- Electrical hazards
- Ergonomic
While this seems like a long list, safety is a priority for light industrial companies.
Safety Training & Regulations Keeping You Safe
Company-Driven Safety Training
Companies will regularly have safety training for their employees. New hires will have safety training during their onboarding process and most companies will continue to hold refreshers every couple of years (or annually) to make sure everyone remembers proper protocol.
Job Safety Analysis
Whether a company conducts the analysis on their own, or an outside company is hired, a job safety analysis is a procedure which helps integrate safety and health principles and practices into a particular operation. It will look at each basic step of a task or job and analyze the safety of it, taking into account risks and hazards as well as safety protocols in place. Companies who want to run the safest operations will conduct a job safety analysis on a regular basis.
Government Regulations
In addition to management wanting to keep their employees safe, the U.S. government has OSHA, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Its entire mission is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of workers by setting and enforcing standards. They provide training, outreach, education, and assistance for companies. This means that you can feel confident that if your company is abiding by OSHA’s standards, your employer is keeping up with safety standards.
A Safe Company is a Top-Performing Company
With safety being such a high priority in the light industrial field, any company who wants to remain competitive in the industry is doing whatever they can to ensure that their operations are running safely and smoothly. They understand that not only does this keep workers safe, productivity stays high, and there is better employee retention.
Find a Safe & Reliable Job in the Light Industrial Industry
If you’re looking for a safe and reliable job that you can count on to help reach your career goals, contact Expert Staffing.