EDITION #27: FOUR BIG CHALLENGES OF MANAGING AN INDUSTRIAL WORKPLACE

Managers who oversee teams commonly face several challenges related to productivity and communication. Knowing how to recognise and address these challenges helps increase a manager’s confidence and ability to lead a team. Managing a team, warehouse equipment, safety checks, and the overall efficiency of your workplace can be a challenging group of tasks in any heavy industry.

The challenges of managing an industrial workplace are unique because hazards and incidents affect more than just the people on the factory floor. We outline some things to consider that will improve your employees’ awareness in challenging situations and greatly benefit overall production and quality.

 

1) Meeting Safety Requirements

As the managing head of your organisation, you know how your system works, how you do business, and the hazards your work entails. As such, you are the most capable person to create the safety solutions or programs that your unique organisation requires.

You might need to review your workplace’s safety systems. Do they meet the minimum safety requirements? Are they consistent with the requirements of your place of assignment? Are they effective when implemented?

A great way to start is by simply involving your personnel – listen to their specific concerns and respond openly to them. When it comes to larger businesses that involve more hazardous environments, you can follow written policies and procedures with the help of a full-time safety director.

Commit resources to protect your employees. The best way to let personnel know they are expected to follow safe work practices is by displaying it as a priority. Along with putting effort into making safety important, lead by example and ensure you’re following the guidelines yourself.

The challenges of managing an industrial workplace: workplace safety

2) Training Employees to Work Together

Training employees to be efficient and cooperative is vital to the organisation and is beneficial to the overall success of your workplace. Their training should be based on their job level, department, and location. This is due to each area having its own set of unique hazards they may be exposed to at work and educating them on ways to protect themselves.

Make daily safety inspections part of their routine. Keep them updated with safety-related issues, and always value employee input and feedback. Motivating and actively encouraging your employees to get involved is good practice to ensure everyone does their part.

3) Holding Toolbox Meetings

“Toolbox talks” or meetings are essential in the industrial workplace because they involve learning safe work practices that contribute to an improved safety culture.

One thing to know about holding toolbox meetings is to always ensure that the topic is relevant to your employees, industry, and job site. It is also important to keep them brief and direct. Address new and relevant topics that demonstrate your point, and always keep a positive tone. Incident investigations are a reactive approach to negative occurrences in the workplace, whereas safety talks can be a way to turn things around and help encourage employees to demonstrate safe behaviour to prevent incidents.

The challenges of managing an industrial workplace: group of workers wearing headgear

4) Continually Improving Your System

You should constantly review your safety program’s strengths and weaknesses and assess if they need improvement. It’s important to ask whether your safety programs accurately reflect how you want to manage the health and safety of your workplace. You should review your safety program annually. Investigating accidents and other close calls are done on an as-needed basis. Conducting frequent inspections on specific equipment and processes, documenting all safety efforts, and evaluating the effectiveness of your training and meetings are all great ways to keep a current picture of your safety program.

Partner with a Trusted Equipment Supplier

Whether you’re in the warehousing or logistics industry, it is your responsibility as an employer to ensure the safety of your workers and uphold a healthy work environment.

Dexters has been in the industry for over 20 years, and we understand the unique challenges of managing a warehouse and logistics. That’s why it’s become one of our main goals to provide smart and creative industrial safety products that will improve your business’s overall efficiency and promote safe practices in your place of work. Contact us to find out more!