Haslop & Mason partners with Brady to ensure automotive manufacturer passes safety audit

It was Hannibal Smith of A-Team fame who coined the phrase, "I love it when a plan comes together!" This time it was Haslop & Mason, together with long-standing partner Brady, who rose to the call to assist an automotive manufacturing plant with an urgent safety-related plan of action. The client was at risk of failing its safety audit, which might have had disastrous consequences, both financial and physical.

It was Hannibal Smith of A-Team fame who coined the phrase, "I love it when a plan comes together!"

This time it was Haslop & Mason, together with long-standing partner Brady, who rose to the call to assist an automotive manufacturing plant with an urgent safety-related plan of action. The client was at risk of failing its safety audit, which might have had disastrous consequences, both financial and physical.

A safety audit is an evaluation of the health and safety of a work setting. Potential hazards are identified in order to develop safer policies and practices for the whole team, with the safety policy reflecting the safety culture of the organisation. An effective, detailed safety policy is an absolute must for the manufacturing industry. In addition, staff must know the plan, so that they are fully aware of what to do when operating, maintaining and moving around machinery.

Among the requirements stipulated in the client's audit was the need to improve safety and facility identification and procedures. Site Lockout Tagout (LOTO) procedures, pipe markings, safety signage and visual awareness were all cited in the report as being inadequate.

Managing member of Haslop & Mason, Kevin Dersley, says, "To facilitate an optimum solution, we, together with our premier supplier Brady, discussed the requirements with the client's safety team."

Brady account manager Tamarin van der Berg adds, "LOTO safety procedures have to be implemented when maintenance is done on machinery. This entails a step-by-step procedure.

"We were able to assist them with all their needs by offering them a single printer that did it all: the new Brady s3700. Together with the printer, they also invested in Brady® Workstation Lockout Writer Software. This enabled them to create clear signage, with pictures, that clearly explained all their Lockout Tagout procedures. A handy built-in XY cutter enabled them to cut out the signs in multiple shapes to fit the required placements.

"Now, with the procedures displayed next to the machinery, when it is time to lock out a machine, the signage explains the procedure clearly - there is no uncertainty about how to do it."

Thanks to the Haslop & Mason/Brady partnership, the client's entire facility has been upgraded through the implementation of the new safety signage - all from one printer and the appropriate software.

"They have also printed all their pipe markings and pressure gauge signage," says Van der Berg.

"It is now possible to know exactly what is flowing through the pipes, and in what direction, which is extremely helpful for maintenance crews. The whole facility is now far safer, because everything is displayed visually throughout the facility.

"At Brady, we were very pleased that we could assist with all their safety and facility identification, helping them to create a safer working environment for their employees."

The result? The client passed the safety audit with flying colours.

This really was a Haslop & Mason/Brady plan that came together!