Over the years, workplace safety has evolved significantly and is constantly making improvements and advances. Companies need to be up-to-date with these safety changes, following the latest trends that can help them maximize efficiency and keep their workers safe.
This article will delve into how safety standards in the workplace have changed and the more recent safety trends taking place. We will discuss workplace barriers, workplace sound barriers, and workplace noise reduction specifically and why they are so beneficial.
Uncovering the History of Workplace Safety
Before the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created in the United States, workplace safety regulations were almost nonexistent. Even as some laws and regulations started to take shape, there were so many gaps that allowed for extensive workplace injuries and fatalities. In fact, in 1913, 23,000 industrial deaths were documented among a workforce of 38 million individuals.
In an effort to regulate safety in the workplace to reduce injuries and fatalities, several federal laws were passed. These laws included the Federal Employers Liability Act in 1908, The Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act in 1936, and the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act in 1969. Despite these efforts, preventable workplace injuries and fatalities were still commonplace.
How OSHA Revolutionized Workplace Safety
In 1971, OSHA was created as a result of growing concerns around workplace safety in the 1960s, which was closely linked to several high-profile accidents.
The goal of OSHA was to create safety standards in the workplace across the U.S., giving workers protection they had never had before. Not only does OSHA set and enforce safety standards, but it also provides crucial safety education. OSHA provides safety training and education for both employers and workers and contributes to research on advancing workplace health and safety issues.
Safety Trends That Are Becoming More Standard in the Workplace
With OSHA overseeing safety standards in the workplace, safety trends are ever-evolving. Workers have more protection than ever, and more research is being done every year to provide even better safety standards.
Here is a breakdown of some of the top trends for safety in the workplace across any type of industrial industry.
Workplace Safety Barriers
Workplace safety barriers are becoming significantly more common across different types of industries that need better safety in their work zones. At Singer Safety, we provide a variety of safety barriers for all work zone environments, with our primary barrier being industrial curtains and screens.
Our industrial curtains are suitable for any type of industrial space where you need to create a partitioned area for safety reasons. These help to create work zones to provide better protection and reduce the risk of employee injuries.
There are a variety of Singer Safety curtains to choose from, depending on your work zone and industry. This includes windproof outdoor curtains that protect your workplace from the elements and environmental curtains for better temperature control.
Workplace Sound Barriers
An important trend in workplace safety involves workplace sound barriers. Sectioning off work zones and reducing noise can be crucial when it comes to safety and productivity.
Safety screens and industrial curtains, such as the Singer Safety super-vision series, can help reduce noise. Depending on your industry, creating sound barriers may be entirely necessary when it comes to protecting the hearing of your workers.
The main benefit of workplace sound barriers is that they can play multiple roles in your work zones. Many industrial curtains and screens not only create sound barriers but also help to increase privacy, contain environmental hazards, reduce distraction, and control lighting.
Workplace Noise Reduction
Aside from workplace screens and industrial curtains, you can also utilize workplace noise reduction materials. At Singer Safety, we provide a variety of workplace noise reduction products suitable for all types of work zones, environments, and industries.
Reducing noise improves efficiency and protects the hearing of your workers. Not only that, but it also helps to reduce noise pollution, especially in outdoor work zones.
Some examples of noise reduction products include our modular acoustic screens, which help to isolate noise and improve acoustics. We also manufacture quilted fiberglass panels and acoustic foams to better absorb sound and keep it from traveling. If you want a do-it-yourself option, we also provide fiberglass material rolls and vibration damper compound that you can use in your work zone or building.
How Barriers and Screens Contribute to Worker Safety
When you are working in a large area, workplace safety barriers and workplace noise reduction screens often become necessary. Not only do these products help your work zones to run more efficiently, they contribute significantly to the safety of your workers. Here are some examples of how this works:
- Noise Control: Workers across many industries are at risk of experiencing hearing loss due to noise exposure. Things like workplace sound barriers help to reduce this risk by isolating noise.
- Better Concentration: By reducing noise and visibility with safety and sound barriers, you are encouraging better concentration. Worker concentration helps your work zones run more efficiently but also reduces the risk of preventable accidents.
- Protection: Many industries use protective barriers when workers are using dangerous pieces of machinery. These barriers can protect workers from flying debris, dust, chemicals, and wind.
- Hazardous Areas: You can use a variety of barriers and screens to section off your work zone to identify dangerous areas. Doing this can help to prevent worker injuries and fatalities by clearly identifying hazardous areas within larger work zones.
Shop the Best Protective Barriers and Screens
As workplace safety trends continue to evolve, Singer Safety products are sure to find a place in your company. Our sound and safety barriers, as well as our workplace screens, create a safe and productive work environment. Not only can you get these high-quality Singer Safety products for your work zone, but we can also help you install and modify them as necessary.
Contact us today at Singer Safety to look through our line of products to revolutionize your work zone.
