Manufacturing Safety at Liberty: A Commitment Beyond Compliance
At Liberty Precision, our fast-moving environment demands more than just exceptional output. Our operations span two high-volume facilities, and through all our processes, manufacturing safety remains a top initiative. Safety isn’t a one-time checklist; it’s a continuous mindset built into every part we machine and every decision we make.
In 2024, Liberty Precision celebrated our safest year to date, a milestone that reflects our commitment to protecting our people and yielding top-quality results for our customers. Here’s a closer look at the safety strategies that helped us get here:
Continuous Education: A Non-Negotiable in Our Safety Culture
We believe the key to exceptional manufacturing safety lies in ongoing education. It starts on day one and never stops. Every new team member at Liberty Precision goes through an extensive safety orientation that covers protocols, potential hazards, and how to speak up when something doesn’t look right.
But we don’t stop there. Our team receives regular training on the latest equipment, updated procedures, and critical best practices in complex machining. Whether they’re operating a multi-axis CNC mill or working in our Swiss machining services, they are expected to understand the how and the why.
We also encourage our teams to participate in cross-training opportunities, giving them broader awareness of safety issues across different parts of the shop. This philosophy of lifelong learning helps prevent accidents before they happen and builds a workforce that’s informed, aware, and proactive.
Gaining Insights Through Collaboration
To stay at the forefront of manufacturing safety, our team visits other precision machine shops in our area to learn from their everyday safety practices. These peer-to-peer exchanges provide invaluable insights into different safety cultures, helping us identify areas for growth and innovation within our own operations.
We bring back ideas on everything from workflow layout to PPE enforcement, constantly adapting our processes based on real-world examples. It’s all part of our strategy to be the safest and most efficient shop possible.
Clean Shops = Safe Shops
Orderly, clean environments are critical in precision machining. At Liberty Precision, keeping a tidy shop floor isn’t just about appearance—it’s a core safety protocol. Our team actively maintains clear aisles, removes chips and debris, and ensures tools are always returned to their designated places; these habits prevent slips, trips, and falls, some of the most common types of injuries that occur in manufacturing environments.
Daily Walkthroughs for Real-Time Improvement
One of the most effective safety methods we use is the Gemba walk—a daily walkthrough where leaders and team members evaluate the shop floor with fresh eyes. During these walks, we identify potential hazards, check compliance, and ensure our processes are being followed.
Incorporating feedback from these walks has helped us identify and address small issues before they escalate into major problems. Whether it’s a loose rag on the floor, improper tool placement, or a team member needing a refresher on PPE, we take immediate action.
Open Communication and Proactive Reporting
We treat near-misses with the same urgency as actual incidents. Employees are encouraged to report any potential hazard, no matter how minor they might seem. This mindset helps us continuously improve our safety practices and reinforces our shared responsibility for manufacturing safety.
In addition, monthly safety committee meetings provide a platform for voices from every department, including those involved in each department from CNC turning services to quality control to engineering solutions. It’s this cross-functional dialogue that makes our safety culture truly collaborative and effective.
Manufacturing Safety Supports Customer Success
When our team prioritizes workplace safety, the results are palpable for our customers. Safe shops are more efficient, more reliable, and more capable of delivering quality parts on time. Whether you’re partnering with Liberty Precision for aerospace machining or complex components, you can trust that safety is built into every step of our process.
Contact Liberty Precision today or request a quote to experience our commitment to safe, high-quality manufacturing.