Safe Lifting in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Just like manufacturers in any industry, pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturers and their employees can face serious health and safety issues, not only related to hazardous materials or substances. Manufacturers still relying on manual filling, weighing, processing or lifting are at a higher risk of on the job injuries. Contact us to schedule a site visit and watch a demonstration of our safe lifting solutions for manufacturing, here.

There are multiple risk areas within the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, and the main causes of accidents is due to human error, inadequate training and improper maintenance.

Human Error

The majority of industrial accidents occur every year due to one simple reason – us being humans. Many of these accidents are a result of the worker failing to follow safety procedures put in place by the facility and company owners. When proper equipment is not used or workers take shortcuts, accidents can happen. Accidents or faulty handling can lead to contamination of substances, or chemicals being leaked into the environment – both in the factory and outside. This can have considerable consequences for the operation, from production downtime and illness among staff, to the loss of brand trust.

Inadequate Training

Shortcuts and workarounds are often a result of inadequate safety training or faulty processes. When personnel are not trained adequately to use specific tools or equipment, industrial accidents are more likely to occur.

Improper Maintenance

A common reason for industrial accidents in the pharmaceutical and chemical sector is the improper maintenance of equipment. Regular and correct maintenance following manufacturer recommendations is important to ensure equipment is running smoothly, and most of all, safely. Malfunction and failure to meet the high standards in the production line where accuracy is of greatest priority can have serious effects on the health and safety of workers.

Health and safety – the most crucial component for workforce sustainability within pharmaceutical and chemical handling

Health and safety is crucial for workforce sustainability and to ensure optimal productivity, as they go hand in hand. In the pharmaceutical and chemical context, one central element is about safe material handling. Items must be moved or handled with caution, while keeping the pace and correct process. Identifying new and more effective, safe workflows is always a challenge, however there is no need to compromise on either efficiency, health or ergonomics. Other important factors to consider is the need for stainless steel products to comply with sanitary regulations and explosion proof products for hazardous areas.

For us at TAWI, we are passionate about improving employee health and safety – no matter the sector or industry. We know that there are challenges that can be overcome by easily accessible solutions.

• Basic Lab and Manufacturing Safety
• Regular Risk Assessments and Evaluation of Equipment
• Minimize Manual Labor

Implement Lifting Solutions to Ease the Manual Handling

One of the most important steps in choosing the right lifting equipment to solve challenges and minimize manual handling, is ensuring that the equipment is well suited for what needs to be lifted or moved. For example, lifting systems are normally selected and customized for lifting a specific load, such as bags or cans of chemicals – all of which require different tools and components. There is also an occurring issue where equipment needs to be handled with delicacy and care – but also with safety gloves, making the procedure a lot more complicated. Having equipment allowing and complying with gloves or other types of safety gear is crucial.

TAWI lifting solutions can serve as the cornerstone of a highly safe and accurate process line – no matter which safety gear or equipment the employees need to wear. A vacuum lifter can reduce the risk of work-related injuries and damage to your product, while improving the ergonomics significantly with reduced manual handling. Any employee will be able to handle the heaviest of bags, boxes or drums quickly and safely, while also keeping up with the accuracy and pace.

Customizable Solutions for Demanding Environments

TAWI has been providing safe and ergonomic handling equipment to the pharmaceutical and chemical industry for decades. We have an in-depth understanding of the processing that takes place, and we have developed our handling tools to meet the needs of the most challenging and demanding environments. We commonly customize solutions for very specific processes, to make sure every client is equipped with their best tools to optimize their processes and performance – without compromising their strict safety requirements.

To learn more about choosing a safe lifting solution for your chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, download our free guide here.