With a global value of $649.8 billion, the manufacturing industry is the backbone of our economy. They provide almost 500 million jobs for people across the world, and they help build the products that we use in our daily lives. However, manufacturing accidents can be devastating for both workers and their families. In the US private sector, there are over 2.8 million workplace accidents a year, many of which are in industrial plants.
As the world becomes more and more automated, accidents at manufacturing plants are becoming more common. These accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, including human error, faulty machinery, and even natural disasters.
Manufacturing plants have been the site of many accidents, from fires to explosions to chemical spills. Some of these incidents have resulted in injury or death, while others have caused property damage.
So, as an industrialist or entrepreneur, you must have a post-accident protocol for your manufacturing plant in case of any industrial accident. Parts of this protocol need to be carried by those on-site during the accident, and parts of it later by those who’ll investigate the reasons behind the accident.
Here’s how you can design such a protocol in a few steps.
Table of Contents
Identify the Accident Area
In the event of an industrial accident, it is important to determine the extent of the damage and where it occurred. The first step in this process is to identify the area where the accident took place. This can be done by asking workers or managers who were present at the time of the accident. If possible, try to get a description from those individuals as well as any pictures or video footage from any nearby cameras that may have recorded what happened.
Isolate the Injured Personnel
In case of an industrial accident, the first thing to do is isolate the injured personnel. This includes notifying the appropriate authorities and helping injured employees get to the nearest medical facility.
If possible, move them away from the immediate area and into a safe zone where they will not be harmed by any further accidents or malfunctions. You should also ensure that there is adequate lighting in this area so that they can be seen clearly if they need assistance or medical attention.
Call 911 and Assist Them However Possible
If your company experiences an industrial accident, it’s important to call 911 and assist them however possible. They will take only 15-18 minutes to arrive at the scene. While you may be worried about the safety of your employees, it’s also important to keep your own well-being in mind.
Do not try to move anyone who may have been injured or who is unable to move. If you can safely get someone out of harm’s way, do so gently and carefully. However, don’t risk your own safety in doing so.
Next, provide the necessary information to emergency responders: what happened, where it happened, whether there are any injuries or fatalities, and how many people were involved in the accident (if known).
Form an Investigation Committee
In the event of an industrial accident, it is important to form an investigation committee. The committee should be composed of individuals who have experience in investigating industrial accidents and should include representatives from both management and labor. This group will be responsible for determining the cause of the accident, as well as proposing solutions to prevent future accidents.
The investigation committee should have access to all relevant documents, including those about safety, training, and maintenance activities at the facility.
Conduct a Drug Test
You must ensure post-accident drug testing for everyone present inside the plant or building during the accident. The accident could’ve taken place due to human error. However, what if the error happened because that individual was drunk or under the influence of drugs? You must get to the bottom of this, which is why such testing is necessary.
You can hire various companies to do the testing on your behalf take care of the manufacturing industry drug testing procedures. After you get back the results, you can see whether or not someone is to blame for being on drugs and causing the accident.
About 23.5 million Americans are addicted to drugs and alcohol. Don’t let their addiction destroy your livelihood as well as that of others. Conduct the test and isolate whoever is found guilty (if found guilty).
Calculate the Cost of Damages
When an industrial accident occurs, it’s important to calculate the cost of damages before you can move forward. This will give you a better idea of what your insurance needs are and help you understand how much money you’ll need to pay for repairs.
Several factors need to be taken into account, including:
- The amount of time spent repairing or replacing the damaged property.
- The amount of money spent on fixing or replacing damaged property. This includes things like labor costs and materials used in repairs or replacements.
- The amount of money lost due to the damaged property being out of commission for an extended period (e.g., if your company’s manufacturing line was shut down due to a fire).
Take Steps to Prevent Such Accidents in the Future
The first step is to identify what went wrong and why it went wrong. Look at the equipment, process, and materials being used, as well as how they were assembled and maintained.
Second, determine whether there are any flaws in the system that could lead to similar accidents in the future. If so, your organization should consider changing or improving its processes or equipment to prevent or reduce these risks.
Third, make sure you have an adequate safety program in place that covers all aspects of your company’s operations. This includes training employees on how to recognize hazards and avoid them, providing them with PPE (personal protective equipment), establishing procedures for reporting injuries, etc.
Industrial accidents can cause a lot of damage to life and property. So, take all the precautions possible, and if you ever face such a situation, refer to these steps and set up a post-accident protocol.