Choosing the right safety systems for your business

By Jenny Yu.  

Three key considerations when investing in safety systems.  

Business owners must make many difficult decisions, between their day-to-day business operations and updating larger pieces of equipment for greater efficiency. In this MetalTalk episode, Karen Edwards spoke with MetalForming LLC’s Director of Business Development, Chad Rowe, about enhancing safety within the sheet metal industry. 

In their conversation, Karen and Chad noted some key considerations for metal professionals to keep in mind when selecting the safety systems that are right for their business.  

1 – Ask questions 

Before making any big changes to your current safety system, it’s important to ask the right questions to ensure you understand what you need. 

When working with customers, Chad asks a lot of honest questions to ensure both parties understand the exact situation a system will be used in and what safety issues apply. Some questions he recommended include: 

• What is your intended purpose? What is it that you’re trying to accomplish with this system? What does it need to do?  
• How do we protect it?  
• What is the best environment for my piece of equipment?  
• What type of access do we need for maintenance and adjustments?  

In having these open, transparent conversations, business owners can feel more confident in what they are looking for and suppliers can educate customers on what types of systems work best in different scenarios.  

2 – Evaluate operational impact 

While today’s technology no longer limits production the way older machines may have in the past, it is still important to consider how operations and personnel are impacted by safety systems. 

Chad offered, “Maybe I make two less pieces per day, but the environment that my group is working in is a much safer environment, which keeps people happier and keeps them wanting to come back because they know that the company that they work for is invested in their safety.” 

Don’t underestimate the power of making your personnel feel safe in your care, as it can create a stronger team culture and increased output.  

3 – Consider the costs versus the benefits 

Finally, purchasing new equipment is rarely cheap. Weighing the costs with the benefits can help metal professionals make deliberate decisions that are right for their business.  

“As somebody who's been in the industry for a long time,” Chad shared, “I've had the unfortunate experience of sitting through some depositions. There is a limit to what a business can absorb, but I would suggest that you talk with your insurance provider. There may be some discounts available through adding additional safety measures.” 

While choosing the latest technology may certainly come at a higher price, having stronger safety measures can have the unexpected benefit of lower insurance costs. The value you receive in terms of peace of mind for the safety of your employees and your materials may be worth every penny. 

Chad stated, “A truly certified safety system costs more money. It costs more money, but again, what's the price? What's the price for protecting your investment?” 

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the webinar to learn more about the costs and benefits of safety in the sheet metal industry.