Manufacturing safety meeting topics and OSHA training

• Machine guarding: one or more methods of guarding protect the operator and others in the machine area from hazards such as the point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks (29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1)).
• Lockout/tagout: an energy control program (29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1)), documented procedures (29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i)), a periodic inspection at least annually (29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6)(i)) and training (29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)).
• Noise: a hearing conservation program when exposures reach an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels (29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1)), hearing protectors at no cost (29 CFR 1910.95(i)(1)), and training repeated annually (29 CFR 1910.95(k)(2)).
• PPE: a hazard assessment and training (29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1) and (f)(1)), including eye or face protection against flying particles, molten metal and chemicals (29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1)).
• Chemicals: HazCom training at initial assignment and when a new hazard comes in (29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1)).
• Forklifts: operator training, evaluation and certification (29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1)(i)).

Hold the talk at the line before start-up, with the machines off so everyone can hear. Keep it to 5 to 10 minutes. Use the machine itself: point at the guard, the lockout point, the emergency stop. Pick topics from what changed: a new die, a new chemical, a maintenance job planned for the weekend. Ask operators what slows them down when they follow the procedure, because that is where shortcuts start. Close with one action. Record attendance with the sign-in sheet generator. A talk is a reminder; lockout, forklift and hearing conservation training each have their own requirements.

Many plants run crews that speak English, Spanish and other languages. Lockout training has to make sure the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by employees (29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)), so teach it in a language they understand. Chemical labels stay in English, and you may add other languages (29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(10)). Post lockout steps with pictures and numbers. Ask an operator to walk through the steps in their own words, in either language, and pair each new hire with a bilingual operator.

Start with machine guarding, lockout/tagout, verifying zero energy, stored energy, noise and hearing protection, eye and face protection, hand safety, pinch points, conveyor safety and chemical handling. For more meeting ideas, see safety meeting topics. The talks are free; a printable talk kit is $4.99 and a full training kit with an editable PowerPoint is $9, no subscription.