It’s National Safety month! I love talking about safety because it’s a topic that’s relevant to ALL of us – I don’t care where you work. A man I have known for decades is missing a thumb, when he hugged me at a local restaurant recently I introduced him to my kiddos. Afterward, they asked why he didn’t have a thumb….
There was a time, not too long ago when a job in manufacturing came with an unspoken cost: physical risk. He lost his thumb in the workplace, it was considered part of the job, but that was then. Today, manufacturing has become one of the most safety-conscious industries in the modern workforce. And that shift didn’t happen by accident.
The Safety Shift
In the 1970s, just after OSHA was established, workplaces in the U.S. were seeing injury rates as high as 10.9 cases per 100 workers. Fast forward to today, and the rate in manufacturing is less than a third of that at 3.1 per 100. While I’d love to see that much closer to 0, it’s important to recognize the progress.
What has changed?
- Protective Standards: PPE use is mandated and standardized. Ergonomics are considered. Workspaces are audited for risks.
- I haven’t heard people talk about carpel tunnel in years, I have customers that strictly enforce NO lifting if it’s more than 35lbs! This is real change.
- Technology: Automated systems now handle many of the most dangerous tasks or repetitive work, it’s incredible to see the progress first hand!
- Culture: Safety is no longer just the responsibility of supervisors—it’s part of everyone’s role.
- Training: Modern onboarding includes detailed safety protocols, ongoing refreshers, and situational awareness.
Why It Matters to Us
As a staffing partner, we’ve seen the importance of placing candidates in environments that truly value safety. When workers feel protected, they feel valued and that improves morale, retention, and performance.
Working in manufacturing today is a far cry from what it once was. It’s still demanding work, but the difference now is this: safety is strategic, and progress is visible. That’s something worth celebrating and building on!
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