Our industrial activities have a significant effect on the environment. We have become cognizant of the impact in recent decades and concluded that going along this course is disastrous for the environment and ourselves. This has prompted initiatives to reduce the amount of carbon emissions we generate. The manufacturing sector, being a major contributor to carbon emissions, has to take drastic steps to combat emissions.

As with any complex workspace, a production floor comprises a host of different workers, each with their respective duties, types of expertise, and lines of reporting. Organization of work is essential, which is why every type of worker needs to be managed in some way. 

Field technicians are an integral and critically important part of the provision of technical services, whether it be for the installation, repair, or maintenance of machinery and equipment.

Business inflection points are key events offering significant opportunities for change. Our actions at those times determine whether the opportunity is squandered or capitalized. The onboarding process for new plant workers is one moment that determines how a business is perceived and the safety culture imbuing an organization.

Industry 4.0 revolutionized the way manufacturers design, create, and distribute their products. Its focus was on efficiency and productivity using the industrial internet of things (IIOT), machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and automation. However, in early 2021 the European Commission released a report introducing Industry 5.0, focusing on the wellbeing of the worker within the production process.

We credit industrial automation with productivity, efficiency, and safety gains, citing manual handling reduction and a reduction in musculoskeletal injury as a first-stage safety benefit. Yet, advanced technologies bring new opportunities for improved worker safety beyond manual handling, requiring an adaptation in our safety thinking.

Maintenance activities guarantee the availability, reliability and safety of production equipment. While performing their maintenance roles, technicians are exposed to hazardous energy sources or unexpected starting up of equipment. These conditions increase the risk of injury or death. To prevent such accidents, companies devise machine-specific lockout tagout (LOTO) procedures.

Organizations are mandated by law to establish workplace safety programs to guarantee a safe and healthy work environment. Prioritizing safety in an organization reduces the number of work-related incidents and protects assets from damage.