Hi I've landed a job with a national company that has various operations going on and various sites, one of which is a small manufacturing plant which is 10 minutes away from where I live. I've applied for manufacturing jobs before and have been knocked back because I don't have experience in manufacturing, which has always annoyed me because I don't think there is anything much different that needs to be considered from an H&S point of view. A hazard is a hazard right, and if you cant spot it then H&S isn't for you right? You have your input, the process itself and then an output and no doubt each piece of machinery along the way before a final product is produced with have its own hazards and risks; its own risk assessment; SSOW etc, so what's the big deal? So, is there anything specific I need to consider when working, in a SHEQ capacity at a small manufacturing plant (sheet metal products to be precise). Thanks in advance for any answers.

Hi Al You may find HSG129 Engineering in Workshops a useful document to help you prioritise your workload? Don't forget to use the further reading pages at the back to point you in the direction of other guidance. EEF are a good organisation, if you need outside support? You will find challenges in culture and may make improvements by finding employees who are genuinely keen on health and safety (and also quality and environment) to help you. Open, honest and clear communication is key. Good luck and enjoy!!

In my experience, having worked in a range of manufacturing environments, one thorn in the side has always remained....the engineering / maintenance department! Slippery as a bar of soap in the bath. These guys have done it all and know better that you...apparently! This may not be the case with your new company, but be prepared :) Well done on the new job!

Manufacturing is manufacturing and the hazards are the same? Er... not quite. My work with chemical hazards has taken me across a wide range of different manufacturing sectors. Many have chemical hazards unique to them and not always easy to spot. Just consider pharmaceuticals, compared with motor vehicle manufacturing, electronics, food processing equipment, chemical production, etc., etc. And, of course, as has already been stated, the maintenance department in each. All will have their own special chemicals and uses. So approach this with caution until you are conversant with what you are dealing with.. Chris

I've been in mechanical engineering manufacturing for 17 years now and yes, some of the items are interchangeable. The only thing about manufacturing is that there are generally a lot of different disciplines involved such as welding, painting, shot blasting, thermal spraying, manual machines, CNC machines, etc. The only thing to remember is that there is a forum here with lots of very experienced folks in this type of business - if you are not sure, just ask! That's what we're here for :D

I work in a manufacturing company and I had no experience in manufacturing or the processes whatsoever - I was very lucky. To be honest not havng prior knowledge helped a great deal as I did not have any preconceptions as to what is good or bad practice. I absolutely agree with the suggestion to engage in dialogue with the maintenance departments. They have a great deal of knowledge and experience but "forget" that H&S applies to them just as much as the guys working on CNC machines. When I first started in the role, they were using MEWPs on a regular basis and had no pre-use checks in place. I worked with them, created a pre-use check and a requirement for it to be signed off by a supervisor. It took quite a while to get them to actually complete the checks and accept the reasons for doing it, but they are as good as gold now. Communication with all departments is essential. Best of luck in your new role.

Reply might be a bit late Big Al but my first full time safety job was in manufacturing, I came from the power industry before that. Only one suggestion for you, involve the "experts", the people who know how the plant operates. Once you have them helping you with the risk assessment process (you being competent in the methodology and they being competent regards the various processes) you will have cracked it plus you will learn a lot about manufacturing. Congrats on getting the job - well done.

Something I learnt very early on in manufacturing is that if you implement something somewhere always have an eye on how it may effect activity up or down the process chain.....talk to the people all the time - but equally dont let age and experience always blind you as there can be some pretty shocking custom and practice. Start with basic safety principles that you have learnt along the way - and if in doubt ask - becuase bluffing will never work. Well done on your new job - so great to hear of a success for a change

what sort of manufacturing? I worked for a printing company and i was up to my neck in COSHH Assessments...as mentioned before, review all RAMS and go through them with experienced operators incase you miss something

congrats on getting the job, yes hazards are hazards, risks are risks, I have found the focus of those around me is different. Pressure to keep lines running, reluctance to introduce change in case it affects production. And a very long chain if you feel there is the need to change something in the product on safety grounds (RoHS or REACH) as the request may need to go through five different parts of the business and then out for exteral evaluation. Resource is also often a problem as most places run to a principle called LEAN these days meaning people tend to be thin on the ground, loaded with work and often with more than one role. Good luck witha steep learning curve I am sure you will be ok.