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As a manufacturing businessperson in Illinois, you know how important employee safety is in a given workplace. One of the most important areas of concentration involves protection from hazardous chemicals. Manufacturing processes involve different types of chemicals more often than not, chemicals that, if not handled well, may mean serious health risks to your employees. The presence of a number of protocols reducing the risks and making the working environment safe is very important.
Manufacturing plants might utilize any number of things – from solvents and acids to gases and combustible materials, all of which contain their own set of risks: toxic, corrosive, and flammable. The potential for exposure may occur by handling, storage, even disposal of such chemicals. In many cases, workers can be exposed to dangerous substances through skin contact or inhalation, and sometimes, even ingested by mistake.
The effects of chemical exposure can be devastating. The immediate after-effects could include anything from burns, respiratory problems, or even poisoning; the long-term effects could manifest in the form of chronic conditions such as respiratory diseases, skin disorders, or even cancer. Hence, a mere compliance factor will not be good enough; one must try to do more to protect the workgroup.
Some key strategies you can employ to help keep your workers from harmful chemicals include the following:
Proper Training – Proper training is perhaps one of the most effective ways through which you will be able to safeguard your employees. The employees need to learn how to handle chemicals safely. This will also include knowledge regarding the nature of the hazard a substance possesses, use of protective equipment, and how to identify symptoms of exposure.
PPE – Make sure your workers have proper PPE available and are using it appropriately at all times. The kind of PPE used is related to the type of chemical and the nature of the potential exposure; examples include gloves, goggles, face shields, and respirators.
Safe Storage Practices – Chemicals should be stored in well-ventilated areas away from substances that are incompatible with them and in well-labeled, tightly sealed containers. If appropriate storage procedures are followed, the potential for any accidental release or reaction will be significantly reduced.
Ventilation and Containment – Proper ventilation systems are pretty much a necessity at the workplace so hazardous fumes or dust does not build up thereby affecting one’s health. Where chemicals are being utilized, containment should be provided in cases of spills or leaks being efficiently handled as soon as it occurs.
Regular Safety Audits – Conducting regular safety audits within your facility helps you detect potential risks before they can become huge issues. The audits need to be all-rounded, including areas of storage, availability of PPE, and effectiveness of the training programs.
Emergency Preparedness – Accidents will and do still occur, even with all precautions taken. What makes a big difference in the impact of an incident is having an appropriate emergency response plan ready at hand that contains statements on first-aid procedures, response measures to spills, and evacuation plans, among others.
Even with the best safety measures, there is always a level of risk when working with hazardous chemicals. This is where business insurance comes in: Proper insurance coverage would protect your company from the financial consequences of accidents occurring with chemicals, workers’ compensation claims, legal fees, and damage to property or equipment.
As an Illinois provider of risk management services and business insurance, SIA Insurance Group understands the special challenges of operating a manufacturing business. We take the time to work closely with our clients to provide tailored insurance solutions to meet specific risks, whether they are problematic chemicals or any other potential workplace hazards.
If you’re looking to find out how to protect your workers and your business, please contact our manufacturing insurance professionals at SIA Insurance Group at 630-325-4000 to receive a consultation. Let’s discuss your company’s business insurance needs and find the right coverages that will keep your operations both safe and compliant.
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