Safety should be a top priority for even the most small scale manufacturing operations, so if you run a workshop it is your duty to take this matter seriously and avoid becoming another unfortunate statistic.
Of course there are ways to stay safe efficiently and effectively, so here are just a few top tips that should help you achieve this.
Use the right equipment
Having the right tool for the job is half the battle when it comes to both safety and overall operational productivity.
The good news is that you do not need to rely on buying brand new, costly machinery to complete metalworking tasks. So long as you buy from a reputable second hand marketplace, you can get used fabrication machinery, including affordable welding robots and CNC gear, which has gone through rigorous quality control testing to make sure it works flawlessly and is entirely safe.
Wear protective clothing
No matter how experienced you are, your physical safety can be compromised in seconds when mistakes are made on-site, so you need to shield yourself from serious harm with the right protective clothing.
Gloves, safety goggles, sturdy work trousers and boots with metal toe caps should all be available to you and anyone else who works at or just visits your workshop.
Shine a light on your workspace
Lighting is an often overlooked aspect of a workshop, yet one which can have significant safety implications and insurance costs.
A well lit area will allow you to see potential hazards rather than stumbling into them. It will also mean that you can make better use of the machinery at your disposal, rather than failing to see mistakes made on a workpiece which could go unnoticed until it gets into the hands of a customer further down the line.
Take your time
While you may be tempted to speed up your metalworking procedures as you become more familiar with the equipment and confident in your capabilities. However, it is very much the case that taking your time and following all the steps involved will improve safety and reduce the likelihood of mistakes being made.
Just think of it this way; if you rush a job and injure yourself, you will lose far more time as you recover from the injury than you ever would have saved by racing ahead rather than taking your time.
Use storage resources
Clutter is a major issue in small metalworking workshops, as if you fail to tidy away the tools and materials that are not currently being used, they could be a hazard that you only notice when it is too late.
Instead, aim to leverage storage effectively, replacing tools once they have served their purpose and keeping materials carefully housed so that there is room for you to move around freely.
Carry out regular maintenance
A well maintained piece of metalworking equipment will not only last longer and operate more effectively, but will also minimize the likelihood of accidents occurring.
In short, a clean and well-ordered workshop will be one that keeps you safe, so this is something to strive for.
