Image from Hard Metal Hazard by WorkSafeBC and The Safety Advisory Fund For Education and Research

Inadequate equipment maintenance and lack of staff training are the two biggest factors in manufacturing incidents, says the BC Safety Authority.

This article published by the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters describes the BCSA’s “…overview of the considerations that any manufacturing facility should be aware of.”

“Train and re-train employees, and encourage advancement in knowledge. Your most valuable asset is your people, they think outside the (computer) box,” said the Doug Bramley of the BCSA, speaking at Black & McDonald’s new Vancouver facility and quoted in the CME article posted on Twitter by @CME_BC.

Word from industry

I checked with Matt Williams, president and chief operating officer at The Williams & White Group of Companies. They offer machining services, make specialized grinding equipment for the cutting tool and machining industry, and develop custom robotics/automation services. We met at the BC Safety Charter Roundtable in the spring.

I asked Matt via email what he and his team thought about the idea that lack of training and inadequate maintenance were the two biggest factors in workplace incidents at manufacturing firms.

“From our point of view it makes sense,” Matt said. “Proper training on safe equipment use prevents a majority of injuries and this goes hand in hand with proper maintenance and shop cleanliness.”

Here’s what he said about training staff.

“At Williams and White, all new employees are required to complete shop orientation and safety training. Our orientation ensures that our ‘culture of safety’ is brought to the attention of every new member of our team,” Matt said. “Education and training is key to ensuring the safety of all personnel working with and for Williams and White.”

And here’s what he said about equipment maintenance.

“The maintenance and safety of our equipment starts with our preventative maintenance program. This program is designed to ensure that our machinery and facility is kept in good working order. At the same time it ensures that the equipment and facility do not pose a threat to the personnel using them,” he said. “Williams and White believes that safety is the number one priority in all aspects of our business. We take the safety of our personnel very seriously and are always looking for ways to improve.”

Thanks to Matt for sharing this information – and looking out for the safety of workers, above all.

More information on safety in manufacturing and food processing is available from FIOSA-MIOSA, the industry organization dedicated to safety in the food and beverage processing and manufacturing industries in BC. Also see WorkSafeBC’s Manufacturing Safety Portal.