Prioritize Safety in the Workplace with Digital Signage Software

Employee safety in all industries is paramount, and that includes manufacturing. Every year there are thousands of at-work injuries and hundreds of fatalities that could have been prevented by if employees had simply followed the protocols the company had in place.

Manufacturers need an effective way to communicate with workers, and it’s more challenging to find one than if the employees worked in an office atmosphere. Manufacturing staff that are on the plant floor, for example, typically don’t have immediate access to computers during work hours, rendering emailed reminders and announcements as inefficient.

Digital signage is a smart solution to increase communication. Using digital signage in industrial environments is a productive, impactful way to communicate with all employees. From digital screens in cafeterias and break rooms, to production line screens that integrate with back office data and display critical information, all employees can stay informed of safety measures as well as updated on new policies and procedures.

Share consistent messaging, even in multiple locations. The main manufacturing facility isn’t the only one that needs to concentrate on safety. Multiple locations across cities, states, and even countries need to be on the same page. Digital signage can broadcast the same message at the same time to all employees, which creates a cohesive understanding of the company’s policies and protocols.

Keep employees informed of safety measures. If one person doesn’t understand or follow the steps management has created to keep them safe, they may end up causing harm to themselves or others. The stakes are too high to talk about safety once a year and then assume every employee practices safety the rest of the time. That’s where digital signage can fill the gaps with manufacturing employees. Consistently broadcast reminders to all employees. Add an informative “safety tip” section every week to encourage high adoption of all safety standards. By keeping the rules in front of all employees regularly, they are more likely to abide by them at all times, which will decrease the chances of accidents and injuries.

Use digital signage to share updated policies and procedures. Over time, there may be edits and additions to the safety policy. New protective gear requirements, proper handling of tools, areas that are off-limits, and other safety measures can be put into place to address issues. These changes must be shared with employees to encourage a high adoption rate of the new rules. With digital signage software, the message can reach the people who need to see it at various times. Roll out the change with an announcement, then follow up with reminders until the news because common practice. Changes are less likely to be ignored or looked over when announced via digital signage than with traditional flyers on the break room bulletin board or stationary signage.

Build team spirit. Safety is an integral part of every workplace, and reaching for it can be fun. Why not split employees into teams and track which ones are the fastest to integrate new safety standards, and which ones have gone the longest without an accident? Making sure each team is dedicated to the company’s safety standards and helps each other follow them can be accomplished through digital signage. Reminders, announcements, and updates that stay in front of the teams assist with keeping safety at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

Recognize employee accomplishments. People love to be awarded and recognized for meeting their goals and performing above the standard, and digital signage is a simple way to do it. Use safety metrics like time without an accident to showcase employees who have followed the process. In addition, highlight employees who suggest a new safety procedure, and teams that have full adoption of new processes. This recognition keeps a flow of conversation about safety going so it never moves to the back burner to be forgotten.

Blast out emergency alerts. There are times when important news needs to be shared throughout the plant quickly, and digital signage is a way to get this done, fast. Bad weather alerts can warn employees to take cover, and traffic alerts can inform them of what they can expect when their shifts end. If there’s impending danger, such as a fire or a gas leak, digital signage can offer an emergency broadcast override system that works with other alarms to ensure everyone present knows what’s going on.

• Reduce efforts and associated printing costs of static communication that may never be read. Emails and flyers are easy to ignore and are not a way to impart information fast. Digital signage can do both.
• Replace printed materials with more engaging, dynamic content that employees absorb. Rich charts and graphics are eye-catching and appealing, enticing the reader to linger longer to read the entire message.
• Translate fewer accidents and injuries into significant additional cost savings.

Safety procedures in manufacturing will always pose challenging. Making sure the processes address all significant safety concerns, ensuring employees understand them, and getting them to follow them consistently are all issues companies struggle with. Digital signage software can be a helpful tool to address these concerns and minimize employee apathy when it comes to safety measures. Reminding all staff of expected safety procedures, and announcing new ones in a manner that gets their attention, is key in creating a high adoption rate. Being able to communicate effectively with the labor force is essential to create a safe workforce and decreasing accidents, injuries, and deaths on the job due to lack of safety oversight.