The Role of Industrial Curtains in Enhancing Workplace Safety
Workplace safety should be a number one priority among all business owners, especially those who work within the industrial sector.
After all, failing to uphold the proper policies can lead to a wide range of issues that put both your business and your team at risk. For example, according to a recent report, “the average cost of a workplace injury claim is $40,000.”
As such, business owners should work to address any and all workplace safety concerns, such as exposure to loud noises or the containment of debris, dust, and other particles.
While there are various ways in which these concerns can be addressed, the installation of industrial curtains is a great starting point. After all, they can be used to properly contain debris and other contaminants or to establish clear work zones.
Safety Benefits of Industrial Curtains
There are many benefits associated with installing industrial curtains in your workplace, whether you run a manufacturing or construction company. This includes:
Containment of debris and contaminations
Enhancing visibility and communication
Temperature and climate control
Noise reduction
Containment of Debris and Contaminants
The installation of industrial curtains within your workspaces is incredibly beneficial when it comes to confining both debris and contaminants into specific areas.
For example, in the case of food and drink manufacturing, industrial curtains or partitions can be used to prevent cross-contamination, which could otherwise turn into a health and safety risk among consumers.
By using industrial curtains to segment your workspace, you can also confine airborne particles to a specific space or region. This way, only those wearing the appropriate PPE are exposed to them, as opposed to the entire workspace. Containing airborne particles is particularly important when you consider that, according to the American Lung Association, “chronic exposures to fine particles can increase the risk of strokes and coronary heart disease,” alongside respiratory conditions.
Enhancing Visibility and Communication
Industrial curtains, especially those that are designed to feature safety warnings, can help to create clear work zones within your workspaces. This maximizes employee safety by ensuring that they do not enter specific spaces without the appropriate PPE or authorization.
It can also come in handy when maintaining clear communication among workers. For example, when an employee is given a task, they can follow specific instructions, meaning that they’re working within the correct spaces or zones. This is a particularly crucial step when you consider that up to 70% of workplace accidents are caused by poor communication.
Temperature and Climate Control
The use of specialist equipment and chemicals could mean that specific stations within your workspace are overly hot. Industrial curtains can help to better regulate temperatures, which prevents heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke, rashes, or heat exhaustion. Not only is this a great way to protect your team against poor health, but it can also ensure that they’re more comfortable when working. This is beneficial in that it likely means your team will work more productively and efficiently as a result.
Noise Reduction
Industrial curtains often contain many soundproofing qualities, which can minimize noise levels produced by heavy machinery and equipment in industrial environments. As workers from these environments tend to deal with hearing-related issues in later life, it's crucial that exposure to loud noises is limited as much as possible.
While this is often remedied by the use of the appropriate PPE, such as noise-reducing or canceling headphones or ear muffs, installing industrial curtains can strengthen these health and safety strategies, preventing both hearing damage and fatigue.
Compliance and Regulations
Business owners operating within the industrial realm must ensure that their workplace and policies comply with a wide range of safety regulations. For example, you must ensure that you comply with the OSH Act of 1970, which is otherwise known as the Occupational Safety and Health Act. However, there are many other regulations that you must also adhere to, many of which are industry-specific.
Industrial curtains can contribute to meeting safety regulations, especially when it comes to “achieving safe and healthful working conditions,” as outlined above. However, when purchasing industrial curtains, you should ensure they comply with industry standards for this kind of product. This means you should buy products from trusted, reputable businesses with a lot of prior experience within the industry.
Conclusion
It is the responsibility of the employer to maintain a safe working environment for all of their employees, and this is a duty that must not be taken lightly. After all, failing to uphold these standards or to comply with government or industry regulations means putting your team at risk. Beyond this, it could also put your business in danger in the form of both financial and legal repercussions.
As such, employers should endevor to find as many ways as possible to maintain safe working environments. One way in which this can be achieved is through the installation of high-quality industrial curtains, which are a preventative measure against a wide range of potential dangers and concerns.
At Canvas Craft, we have over forty years of experience in crafting and designing industrial curtains that not only look great, but help business owners to create safer workspaces. Our solutions are not only made from the best materials but they are also tailored to each specific customer/business. This way, you can ensure they function exactly as needed, whether they’re being installed to contain airborne particles or as a fire safety precaution.
If you’d like to learn more about our services, please do not hesitate to get in touch today. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have about industrial curtains and their benefits within the workplace or to discuss your needs in more detail. Alternatively, you could request an estimate online, and we’ll get back to you quickly with more specific pricing advice.
We look forward to hearing from you!
