Polymer and rubber product manufacturing

These are the most common injuries and hazards for people working in the polymer and rubber product manufacturing industry, as shown by injury claims.

Polymer and rubber product manufacturing

These are the most common injuries and hazards for people working in the polymer and rubber product manufacturing industry, as shown by injury claims.

Safety solutions

WorkSafe expects employers to have safety solutions in place to protect workers from the most common sources of injury.

Hazards and solutions

Hazard 1
Falls from machinery and equipment
Install gantries and walkways with barriers on or around large or high machines.

Fit self-closing access gates to elevated work platforms to reduce the risk of falling from machinery or equipment.

8 per cent of the injuries were to a persons knee.
Hazard 2
Heavy lifting pushing pulling and bending
Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment (eg forklifts, trolleys) and ensure they are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.

Train employees in the selection and use of any mechanical equipment and aids and safe handling methods (eg work is done between shoulder and mid-thigh height and with the elbows close to the body, work upright where possible).

Ensure employees are not exposed to repetitive work for long periods (eg by using job rotation, work variation, providing sit-stand stools and anti-fatigue mats) or work that requires a significant amount of high force.

Design work so employees can maintain upright natural postures and avoid kneeling as much as possible.

9 per cent of the injuries were to a persons arm.

13 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.

20 per cent of the injuries were to a persons back.

4 per cent of the injuries were to a persons abdomen.
Hazard 3
Noise
Ensure employees are not exposed to noise that exceeds the exposure standard.

Arrange for a noise assessment if employees are exposed to excessive noise (eg workers have to raise their voices to communicate over a distance of one metre) and there is uncertainty as to whether employees exposure may have exceeded the noise exposure standard.

Eliminate or minimise the source of noise (eg enclose or isolate noisy machinery, reduce vibration, use barriers to absorb and screens to block the direct path of sound, use silencers on air exhausts, exhaust pneumatics out of the area, buy the quietest tools/machinery available).

Place warning signs in areas of excessive and continual noise (eg where employees exposure is likely to exceed the exposure standard).

Warn other workers nearby that you will be undertaking noisy work and advise them to move away or wear hearing protection.

Provide hearing equipment, ensure it is worn at all times, and provide employees with audiometric testing. Employers should provide a choice of different types of hearing protection appropriate to the noise level in the workplace.

14 per cent of the injuries were to a persons ear.
Hazard 4
Slips and trips
Ensure all work areas and access points are clean, level, well-lit and in good repair.

Ensure materials, tools and equipment are handled, positioned, and stored carefully to avoid tripping hazards.

Provide sufficient lighting for stairs, access ways and any work that involves using ladders.

Clean up spills immediately.

Regularly tidy and remove clutter so it does not accumulate.

8 per cent of the injuries were to a persons knee.

13 per cent of the injuries were to a persons shoulder.
Hazard 5
Using machinery and equipment
Provide appropriate tools and machinery (eg ergonomically designed handheld power tools that are lightweight, low vibration, noise restricted and fitted with over-torque clutches) and ensure they are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.

Ensure machinery has appropriate safety features (eg interlocked guards are in place, emergency stops are within reach of employees operating moving rollers, machinery cannot start during repair, unblocking, maintenance or cleaning).

Isolate all potential sources of energy (eg electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, gravity).

Establish an inspection and maintenance program to eliminate the risk of unintentional movement / cycling of machinery - a major cause of crush injuries, usually involving hands or fingers.

Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (eg hard hats, gloves that absorb impact energy, protection from sharp edges that is puncture resistant, hearing protection, respiratory protection, suitable eyewear).

Ensure employees wear appropriate personal protective clothing (eg long pants, boots).

14 per cent of the injuries were to a persons hands / fingers.
Hazard 6
Work-related stress bullying and harassment
Develop and implement appropriate policies and procedures for workplace bullying and harassment.

Encourage a positive workplace culture, including reporting of bullying and harassment.

Ensure all employees understand what bullying and harassment is, and the procedures for reporting incidents (eg policies and procedures should be promoted during employee induction and workplace bullying prevention or training).

Provide access and encourage employees to use employee counselling / support services, where possible.

Encourage employees to report any workplace stress factors (eg work demand, low control, poor support, lack of role clarity, organisational culture) and control appropriately.

5 per cent of the injuries were to a persons psychological system.

Polymer and rubber product manufacturing

Polymer and rubber product manufacturing

Safety solutions

Hazards and solutions

Falls from machinery and equipment

Heavy lifting pushing pulling and bending

Noise

Slips and trips

Using machinery and equipment

Work-related stress bullying and harassment

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