Digital Signage in Manufacturing and Safety Communications Departments

Introduction

Operating a business in the manufacturing industry comes with a big burden of responsibility. Managers of the department are responsible for making sure the machinery is maintained, contractors are schedules, and safety protocols are supervised for each shift. With so many tasks assigned to just one person, mishaps can occur. This is why using digital signage for manufacturing and safety messaging is greatly beneficial. With computerized communication systems, the chances of a mishap are much less. By installing digital displays around the production facility, communication is streamlined and managers don’t have to spend time gathering employees and manually sharing work-related and safety information. By increasing efficiency in communication, the entire manufacturing floor is informed and content.

Safety messages and announcements

By incorporating clear and engaging content on digital screens, safety information can be transmitted effectively. Daily operations of employees in a manufacturing firm require dealing with loud and heavy machinery. At any point, there can be an obstruction in the workflow which all employees must be aware of. Digital signage campaigns can incorporate health and safety tips including:

• videos of how to use machinery and equipment
• critical issues on the production line
• alerts in any emergency situation
• hand washing reminders
• social distancing protocols
• PPE requirements.

Interactive safety checklists

In manufacturing facilities, you must carry out an audit to first identify potential hazards – be it physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic or psychosocial. Also consider the machinery and storage of chemicals in your plant. Any areas where there could be a slip or fall? These considerations will help you come up with an interactive safety checklist that covers every aspect of your factory. You could categorize them in terms of employee related, machinery related, fire inspection, and general health and safety for all, but make sure each of them is developed for the specific needs of your manufacturing facility.

These checklists can be easily updated with digital signage software each time new products, equipment or chemicals come in, or when new potential risks are identified. With interactive touch screens, employees can scroll through different categories of checklists and get their minds familiarized with regard to things they have forgotten. Also, if they identify any new risks, they can update the checklist themselves in real time because it takes a team to keep the entire workplace safe.

Internal communications

Within a manufacturing facility, most employees do not have access to personal computers during their shift. Hence it is important to place digital signage displays in several areas so all employees are kept informed about regular communications. Meeting reminders, meeting locations, engineering and technical information related to a specific shit, cafeteria menu, weather updates, safety announcements and so on can be scheduled throughout the day on these screens. Simple motivational messages and company policies also help keep employees in the loop while they work.

Wayfinding

In most large-scale manufacturing workplaces, they place a static directory with floor numbers and details of which rooms are found on which floors. However, when things have to be moved around, these directories need to be updated otherwise visitors and new employees are lost and confused. In order to avoid people going into dangerous rooms and also wasting time by wandering around and trying to find the right place, digital signage displays for wayfinding is necessary. Updating locations is very simple, thereby making life easier for everyone. Companies can use these interactive digital stations to display product information, employee handbooks, training videos, and so on that is accessible to new employees and visitors as well.

Conclusion

For employees to stick around at your manufacturing facility for long, you need to incorporate some serious long-term engagement solutions that ensure their safety and also keep them up-to-date about the company’s proceedings. Instead of just putting a list of information and statistics up there, you need to create attractive content with high quality images and video clips to engage employees and train them to keep themselves safe. These efforts don’t just improve productivity but also give employee morale a jump start– it creates a sense of community within the workplace.