Following regulations and guidelines will not reduce productivity

There is always a tussle between the production manager and that of safety / regulator. It may not appear openly, but in private discussions, this is the reality. Each will have choicest words or opinions about the other.

When role reversal happens, they will assume new position and behave accordingly. This is because of short term / immediate gains one may achieve by overlooking SOPs or due to the infrequent losses suffered from incidents/accidents by not following safety which they feel that it can be absorbed.

Production managers realize only when the losses are huge and may lead to framing of charges or closure of the factory. But, it will be late.

It is proven that following safety always makes sense and leads to increase in productivity.
And this can be made realized by charging penalties on every violation from the salary of the individuals and as a percentage of turnover  of the factory.

This will help in creating work atmosphere safe as well as for public also and at the same time will make others to learn from the sufferers.

Construction scaffolding collapses, killing 74 at Chinese power plant - World Socialist Web Site

Construction scaffolding collapses, killing 74 at Chinese power plant - World Socialist Web Site

It is reported that during construction work in a power plant, a tower crane collapsed. This caused a 70 m high scaffolding collapse leading to more than 74 deaths and injuries to others. Reports say 90% of the workers at site died in the accident. The accident occurred during shift changeover at about 0730 hr, resulting in more deaths.

Speeding up of the work, possibly with bypassing of safety procedures to cut costs appears to be the cause, as per the reports.

One has to know that safety is not cost addition, but a cost saving measure. Any work completed without accidents by safety procedure violations, is only by luck. And, one can't depend on luck for ever. Companies will face the consequences leading to closures with this type of attitude.

One can sacrifice productivity, but not safety of persons.

It is stated that in the year 2015, about 66000 persons died in the country during industrial accidents at 181 per day (appears exaggerated, but reports say so).

13 persons were arrested in connection of with this accident as per the report.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/chinese-officials-detain-13-construction-accident-kills-74-article-1.2887359

Photos of the scene can be seen in the link above.

Safety Daily Advisor : Napping at Work? You’re Not Dreaming!

Taking a nap at work for sometime in between helps in reducing the errors and increasing the productivity, so says this article. It is well known that chinese will get time to sleep during the work. I also saw in a paint factory, when I went for inspection, that in the lunch time of 30 minutes they quickly finish their lunch and sleep. Exactly at 1230 hrs when they hear the siren sound, they get up and resume work. During this time, even if the top most person comes, they do not get disturbed. They switch off all lights and will have their nap.

Workers who had put long hours earlier will be unable to work continuously as they enter into fifties and definitely some rest in between helps the organisation more than the worker because if there is some mistake, then organisation also is at loss and may lead to shutdown of the plant for sometime depending of the severity of the consequence.

Then, it is wrong to assume that only those who do physical work will be strained/fatigued. It is also true for all as mental strain also can lead to tiredness, more errors and reduced output. The article mentions that tired doctors are prone to 700% errors and this can be true for other professions.

Safety Daily Advisor : Napping at Work? You’re Not Dreaming!

LINK

Apple probes blast at Chinese plant linked to iPad | Deccan Chronicle

There is a blast in a plant that makes ipad2 for Apple company, during which 2 persons died and another 16 were injured. What I appreciate is the statement by the company about halting the production till the investigation is completed. How many companies stop production like this. Stopping the production because of regulator is different to stopping production voluntarily by the management. Demonstration of commitment to safety will be reflected by such acts and employees will get moral boost that company management cares for them and this lead to increased productivity. The details are available in the following link.

Apple probes blast at Chinese plant linked to iPad Deccan Chronicle
An analysis of the attitude of MNCs towards of safety of employees in their outsourced site jobs appeared in Mint magazine on 04.06.2011.