In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the vital safety precautions that must be taken by metal fabricators on a daily basis. Precision metal cutting, shearing and other related services can carry risks if they are not performed using proper safety precautions, which must be understood and put into practice by all employees in a given fabrication facility.

At Cypress Metals, we’re proud to observe stringent safety requirements for all our metal fabrication processes, from chimney caps and chimney covers to pots, cupolas, range hoods and numerous other products. In today’s part two, we’ll go over a few additional themes and areas our metal fabrication professionals are constantly adhering to when it comes to safety during metal fabrication.

General Cleanliness and Related Methods

Just like many other industrial facilities or production areas, one potential safety risk is clutter and mess on the floor or other major areas of the facility. You’d be surprised just how much even a few out-of-place items might lead to hazards based on proximity to machinery and other unseen risks. Even a single small mistake in general housekeeping could lead to a major accident with such high-powered equipment nearby.

For this reason, we practice several areas of decluttering and general organization. These include:

• Using industry quality control standards, regularly organizing and decluttering the facility.
• Removing piles of scrap metal or any other items that have begun to pile up on the floor or other common work spaces.
• Making sure all tools are properly stored and marked.
• Stacking all boxes or other items clear of walkways, emergency exits or common employee routes.
• Storing heavy or potentially dangerous equipment in safe areas, including those where employees do not have to stoop or strain to pick them up.

Covering OSHA Requirements

The OSHA, or Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is a US government agency that regulates metal fabrication and numerous other industrial areas. It has a variety of standards that must be met in such facilities, many of which relate to items like ladders, stairs, platforms and a variety of equipment pieces that might be present in the facility.

Creating a Reputation

Through many of the methods we’ve outlined in this series, the best metal fabricators – including ours – build up a reputation for safety and effective processes. This, in turn, leads to limited employee turnover and more attention from the top workers in the field, who always want to work for reliable companies that treat employee safety as a top priority. Areas that help improve safety reputation include posting diagrams and charts, providing detailed employee training, and consistently reinforcing safety and training methods to existing employees.

For more on vital safety procedures taken by top metal fabricators, or to learn about any of our metal fabrication or other services, speak to the staff at Cypress Metals today.