Workplace safety in industries is an important subject to be discussed because protecting the integrity of workers during their shifts is an obligation of any company, regardless of the industry sector.

There are various occupational hazards that impact work routines, which is why industries need to comply with legal requirements in order to provide employees with conditions to carry out their responsibilities with minimal possible danger.

According to updated data from the Safety and Health at Work Observatory, developed by SmartLab, there were 612.9 thousand accidents and 2.5 thousand deaths of workers with formal employment contracts in 2022, representing a 7% increase compared to 2021. In terms of sectors, road freight transportation ranked third with 13.5 thousand reports.

Implementing preventive actions that comply with the legal requirements of the Regulatory Standards (NRs), in addition to ensuring the safety and integrity of employees, thereby making them more motivated and valued, also increases the company’s productivity and profits.

Therefore, considering such an essential topic, we have prepared an article for you to understand the importance and how to ensure workplace safety in industries. Check it out!

What is workplace safety in industries?

Industrial safety consists of a set of rules and actions aimed at ensuring the protection of workers in the professional environment, minimizing the risk of accidents and physical, chemical, and biological threats that can cause temporary or permanent disability, and even death, as well as damage to industrial infrastructure.

For the application of this topic, there are Regulatory Standards defined by the Specialized Service in Safety Engineering and Occupational Medicine (SESMT) and regulated by a decree from the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE).

As established by law, public and private companies that employ professionals under the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) are required to have a Occupational Safety professional.

One of the main practices for reducing industrial accidents and exposure to harmful agents is the use of Collective Protection Equipment (CPE) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as well as periodic training.

However, it is worth noting that, despite the correct implementation of industrial safety measures, controlling and minimizing occupational hazards, it is difficult to prevent workplace accidents from happening 100%.

What is the importance of workplace safety in industries?

By focusing on the safety and well-being of employees, the industry not only complies with the current regulations set by the MTE but also reduces costs related to sick leave and legal actions, promotes an organizational culture, engages the team, increases productivity, among other benefits.

• It reduces the risks of workplace accidents.
• It promotes a healthy and well-being work environment.
• It reduces costs related to medical leave, absenteeism, legal actions, and infrastructure.
• It strengthens the business, making the company more credible and socially responsible.
• It engages the team.
• It increases the productivity and profits of the company.
• It promotes an organizational culture.
• It protects the environment from the damage caused by industrial accidents.

Observed accidents in the industrial environment

In this topic, we will mention the main risks that employees may face in the industrial environment:

Physical hazards

This involves threats to the human body, such as excessive noise, cuts, bruises, fractures, amputations, electric shock, and falls from heights.

Chemical hazards

When exposed to substances considered toxic, employees may experience asphyxiation and irritation in the eyes and nose.

Biological hazards

Biological risk refers to contamination caused by bacteria or viruses, which is common in industries, hospitals, and food-related workplaces.

For all these cases, it is essential for the employer to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Collective Protection Equipment (CPE), such as ear protectors, boots, gloves, masks, safety belts, protective goggles, helmets, among others.

Accidents that can be prevented with anti-adhesive coatings and cargo handling accessories

If you work with fleet management and cargo transportation operations, you have probably witnessed accidents that could have been prevented with anti-adhesive coatings. Here are some examples:

Dump trucks

Those who work with dump trucks know that caution is required when operating them. Due to their height and weight, any sudden movement or exceeding the recommended speed during turns can cause the truck to tip over.

Furthermore, during unloading, materials can adhere to the truck bed due to the lack of an anti-adhesive coating, increasing the risk of tipping.

In addition to the risk of injury if the truck overturns, employees face the risk of being buried if they try to remove the material with a tool, or even falling if they climb onto the truck bed.

Silos and hoppers blockage

Silos and hoppers can become clogged due to material moisture and/or cone inclination, and it is the worker’s responsibility to clear the channel.

If this is not done carefully and in compliance with safety regulations, it can cause workplace accidents such as burial, landslides, cuts, bruises, fractures, falls from heights, as well as damage to the respiratory system and eyes, which can be fatal.

Outriggers and crane pads

When employees do not properly use dimensioned outriggers as crane pads, they often resort to using uncertified wood, which rots over time and can cause accidents due to the instability of the crane.

It also happens that extremely heavy steel pieces are used, which are not ergonomic to handle and exceed the recommended individual weight limit suggested by safety organizations.

Duramaxx outriggers are 8 times lighter and are dimensioned according to the loads. They have loading handles and improve ergonomics at work, preventing bruises, pain, and orthopedic problems during work.

For all these cases, you can rely on Duramaxx, a material with superior abrasion resistance compared to common market UHMW, exclusively developed by Baron. The product can be used in silos, guides, chutes, and mobile equipment such as trucks, loaders, tractors, etc.

Check out this success story: By lining the silo with Duramaxx, the company saved 450 hours of downtime due to blockages and ensured an additional processing of 180,000 tons during the period, with safety for its employees.

Count on Baron to prevent workplace accidents!

Baron is an ISO 9001:2015 certified industry, ensuring that products undergo rigorous quality control and technical evaluations at every step of the process, resulting in a final product of the highest quality.

We offer products that not only prevent workplace accidents such as burial and falls but also improve productivity flow, aiming to avoid wear and tear on truck equipment, silo blockages, constant replacement of equipment coatings, tire bursts, embedded stones in tires, among other issues.

Request a quote right now!