In the context of the strong development of the industrial sector today, ensuring occupational safety in factory design has become an urgent requirement. Occupational safety not only protects the health and lives of workers but also contributes to improving production efficiency, minimizing risks, and preventing workplace accidents.
In this article, let’s explore with BIC the occupational safety standards that should be considered in factory design, helping businesses better understand the importance of complying with these regulations. Implementing safety standards is not only a responsibility but also a way to show concern for workers' lives, thereby creating a safe and sustainable working environment.
Ensuring occupational safety during the production process is a top priority to minimize the risk of injury and accidents for workers while also protecting the assets of the factory and the business. Here are some common causes of accidents in the workplace:
- Suboptimal working conditions: Lack of lighting, poor ventilation, ineffective fans, or excessive noise levels can all affect the safety of workers.
- Unsafe working environment: A disorganized production space can create obstacles and increase the risk of accidents.
- Lack of protective equipment: Workers not being adequately equipped with safety gear or having damaged protective equipment leads to a higher risk during work.
- Machinery technical failures: Technical errors can occur on equipment, leading to accidents or electrical hazards.
- Violation of safety rules: Non-compliance with regulations and standards when using machinery increases the risk of accidents.
- Ignoring safety regulations: Overlooking safety rules in the production workshop not only endangers workers but can also cause significant damage to the business.
To ensure the safety of workers and minimize risks during production, applying occupational safety standards in factory design is extremely important. These standards not only help protect workers' health but also enhance work performance, protect business assets, and maintain reputation in the industry. Below are the occupational safety standards that need to be emphasized in factory design:
Standards regarding structure and materials play a key role in ensuring the safety and quality of the factory.
- Durability and stability of the structure must be prioritized. Factories need to be designed with robust structures that can withstand external factors such as wind, rain, and loads from production activities. This not only protects workers but also ensures the longevity of the structure over time.
- In addition, fire-resistant and corrosion-resistant materials are essential. The use of fire-resistant materials helps minimize the risk of fire and explosion, protecting lives and property, while corrosion-resistant materials protect important factory components from damage due to weather or chemicals during production. This ensures the factory operates safely and stably, reducing repair and maintenance costs.
Fire prevention and fighting systems are an essential part of factory design, helping to protect the lives of workers and property in case of fire incidents. Implementing fire prevention and fighting systems not only meets safety standards but also creates a safe and effective working environment.
- Designing an automatic fire alarm system: An automatic fire alarm system plays a role in early detection of incidents related to fires and explosions, helping to alert personnel to evacuate and address issues before they escalate. The automatic fire alarm system should be equipped with smoke, heat, and gas sensors in areas prone to fire, such as near machinery, electrical systems, and storage areas for flammable materials. Additionally, this system must be connected to a control center to send alerts immediately upon detecting an incident.
- Arranging fire-fighting equipment: Fire extinguishers, water hoses, and automatic sprinkler systems need to be arranged in a reasonable and accessible manner, including near walkways and in areas prone to fires, such as machine rooms, warehouses, and high-risk areas like chemical storage. Depending on the characteristics of the factory, the appropriate type of fire-fighting equipment must be selected and regularly maintained to ensure optimal functioning.
- Emergency exits and assembly points: Emergency exits in the factory should be positioned for easy access and always kept clear. These exits must have clear signage and continuous lighting, ensuring workers can find and use them safely in emergencies. Emergency exit doors must be operable from the inside without a key to avoid hindrances during evacuation.
- Assembly points: After evacuating, workers need to gather at predetermined safe assembly points. These points should be far from dangerous areas and clearly marked. This helps management easily control the number of people evacuated and assists rescue teams in quickly identifying if anyone is still trapped.
Electrical safety in factories is an extremely important factor, helping to protect workers, ensure stable equipment operation, and reduce the risk of serious incidents. A detailed analysis of each aspect will help clarify the standards and requirements for ensuring electrical safety.
- Electrical system installation standards: must comply with technical safety standards such as those for wiring, positioning electrical equipment, and using certified insulating materials. Wiring must be selected based on the equipment's power capacity to avoid overload, which can cause overheating and wire fires. The electrical system needs to be protected from damp environments, high temperatures, and other damaging factors.
- Protection against electric shock and overload: Installing RCD (Residual Current Devices) to detect electric leakage will automatically cut off electricity to prevent electric shock hazards for workers. This is a crucial measure to protect workers' lives, especially in wet working environments or where there is water contact. To prevent electrical overload, circuit breakers or overload protection devices should be installed to cut off power in case of overload, protecting equipment and reducing the risk of fires.
- Emergency cut-off devices throughout the system or for specific areas in the event of an incident, such as a fire or equipment failure. These devices need to be placed in easily accessible locations to ensure staff can act quickly in emergencies. This is extremely important in factories with numerous machines and high-power electrical equipment. Quickly cutting off electricity helps prevent fires, minimize the risk of incidents spreading, and protect lives.
Industrial hygiene standards are one of the critical factors in ensuring a safe, clean working environment that complies with environmental protection laws.
- Designing sanitation and changing areas: Sanitation and changing areas for workers need to be designed to ensure adequate space and facilities. Additionally, sanitation areas should be constructed separately from production areas to prevent contamination and ensure food safety or other production processes. The materials used for this area should be easy to clean, waterproof, and corrosion-resistant, ensuring hygiene and long-term quality. Designing an effective ventilation system helps eliminate odors and maintain fresh air.
- Industrial wastewater treatment systems need to be designed to ensure that wastewater meets standards before being discharged into the environment. For factories, wastewater may contain many harmful substances such as chemicals, grease, or heavy metals, so the treatment system must be capable of removing or minimizing these substances. Depending on the type of wastewater, various treatment methods—mechanical, chemical, or biological—may be applied for thorough treatment. Maintenance and operation of this system should be performed regularly to ensure effective operation, avoid environmental pollution, and comply with legal requirements. Furthermore, the wastewater treatment process must be strictly monitored to ensure it does not negatively impact the surrounding environment and public health.
Occupational safety standards in factory design are essential for protecting workers, minimizing risks, and ensuring operational efficiency. Strict compliance with these standards not only protects the health and safety of workers but also enhances the reputation of the business.
If you are looking for a reputable unit to design a factory that meets occupational safety standards, contact BIC now. We will provide optimal advice and solutions to ensure safety, sustainability, and efficiency for your project.