CDC and OSHA Offers Manufacturing Recommendations to Keep Workers Safe

An essential component of Lean Thinking’s two pillars (Continuous Improvement and Respect for People) is providing a safe environment for people to work.

The CDC and OHSHA have released a series of recommendations for keeping manufacturing workers safe during the pandemic. The guidelines can be accessed here.

These guidelines include recommendations for:

• Properly aligning workstations so that workers are positioned at least six fit apart from one another in all directions, and to modify the alignment so that workers do not face each other;

• Using Lean visual management techniques including: signs, floor markings, and other reminders for workers to socially distance;

• Physical barriers such as strip, plexiglass, or other partitions to separate manufacturing workers from each other.

• Implementation of administrative controls (i.e., Eliminate non-essential meetings, stagger arrival, breaks, and exits, avoid large group meetings, and to encourage virtual collaboration.)

It’s also a good practice to solicit ideas from front-line employees on how to keep everyone safe. These workers are the ones most affected by any changes on the line and most likely will have insightful ideas on how to ensure their safety, while also improving how they work.

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