BY DAVID MALONEY, SENIOR EDITOR
LABELING EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
AT INTERNATIONAL PAPER’S MANUFACTURING OPERATION in
Courtland, Ala., logs enter the building at one end and come out the other
in the form of large paper rolls and cases of 8 1/2- by 11-inch paper. It takes
trained workers and specialized machinery to keep the pulp and paper
flowing in the highly automated operation. But as in most manufacturing
plants, things can go wrong. That’s why the company makes employee
safety a priority.
“It’s the most important facet of our business. Without our people being
well, we could not run properly,” says Tim Agee, who recently retired after
10 years as safety manager of the plant.
Most employers would agree with Agee that their people are their most
important asset. Finding good workers is never easy. And when you factor
in recruiting and training costs, workers represent a significant investment
for employers. Protecting them from injury and lost days is vital to good
performance. Most importantly, it is the right thing to do as an employer.
That’s why it’s essential to keep workers informed of safety procedures—
first with good training, and then through proper signage and labeling that
reinforce safe practices.
SAFE WAY
Safety programs save lives. According to Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) statistics, workplace fatalities have dropped by
more than 65 percent since 1970, while occupational injuries and work-place-related illnesses have declined by 67 percent. Most of this is due to
regulations and safety programs that are deployed in workplaces, including the use of proper signage and safety labeling.
OSHA and other federal and state agencies set requirements for most of the safety signage found in a warehouse.
The OSHA website ( www.osha.gov) is a good resource
on regulations. But local jurisdictions also have a say in
creating safe work environments. For instance, local fire
inspectors are typically charged with assuring that exits are
clearly marked, directions to storm shelters are posted, and
the locations of fire extinguishers and eyewash stations are
clearly identified.
Local requirements can vary greatly, which tends to
create headaches for companies that operate facilities in
multiple locations. “It is important for managers to know
the regulations [that apply to] the dirt under their feet,”
says Paul Burgess, regulatory specialist at Labelmaster, a
materialhandlingupdate
Proper signage and
informational
labeling can go
a long way toward
promoting workplace
safety. Here’s what
you need to know.
Vital Vital signs
