Safety Concerns in Manufacturing in a “Post-Pandemic” World

The COVID-19 crisis has impacted almost every industry. From travel to hospitality to the manufacturing industry, each segment has faced massive disruption since the pandemic. With the government imposing nationwide lockdown, industries were forced to stop operations temporarily.

While restrictions are being lifted off gradually, keeping workers safe is still a significant challenge for manufacturers. Occupational Safety and Health Organization (OSHA) and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) have issued guidelines about worker safety. Despite these efforts, the threat of COVID-19 still looms over workers.

Here are some of the key concerns related to the safety of workers in the manufacturing industry:

Social Distancing

The primary issue that manufacturers need to address is social distancing in the workplace to mitigate the risk of infection. To ensure there is limited or no contact between workers, it becomes essential to monitor the manufacturing process and make changes as needed.

An industry with assembly lines can try to change the layout to ensure there is a distance of 6 feet between workers, as required by guidelines issued by the authorities. For many industries, this might not be an option. They may need to restrict entry to common rooms, break rooms, or cafeterias to prevent unnecessary contact.

Screening Employees

Another vital safety measure during the pandemic is the screening of employees. A majority of companies are now screening their employees upon entry. They check the temperature of each employee, and any employee with a fever is sent home.

With close to 50% of COVID-19 patients being asymptomatic, a temperature check alone is not sufficient to prevent the spread of infection. There is a need to put in place better and more advanced steps to trace COVID-positive workers.

PPE Considerations for Protection

Many factories have installed physical barriers to maintain distance between workers. Barriers made of metal or plastic are only effective until workers move them. Masks and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) prove to be a better solution, as these stay with the worker at all times.

It is now more important than ever for companies to make protective gear a part of the worker’s uniform. Whether workers are in close proximity or interacting with each other, wearing a mask should be mandatory for all employees.

Ventilation & Sanitizing Measures

While cleaning and sanitizing are believed to be a simple way to disinfect surfaces, this can be a challenge in industries that involve working with liquids, oils, and chemicals. There is a lack of information on how long the virus stays alive on a surface, which makes it difficult to understand how and when it will transmit. Maintaining proper airflow and ventilation at factories, warehouses, and other workplaces remains a significant challenge for worker safety.

Key Takeaway

The safety of workers is the primary responsibility of every manufacturing unit, whether during the pandemic or otherwise. While manufacturers are taking some measures to safeguard the workforce and prevent the spread of the virus, much more needs to be done. It is essential to stay updated with the latest guidelines and implement the necessary policies and actions to protect employees.