The paper manufacturing industry plays a crucial role in producing essential products such as paper, cardboard, and tissue on a global scale. However, this industry poses significant safety risks to its workers due to the handling of heavy, bulky loads and limited visibility.
In the 2022/23 period, the UK manufacturing sector, which includes paper manufacturing, reported 46,000 non-fatal injuries. (GOV.UK) Although this figure encompasses the broader manufacturing industry, the specific risks within paper manufacturing contribute significantly to this number. Furthermore, the sector recorded 15 fatalities (HSE) during the same period, slightly below the five-year average, but still indicative of the serious dangers involved. These fatalities often result from machinery accidents, where workers are caught in or struck by equipment.
Enhancing Safety in the Paper Industry
ZoneSafe systems are designed to protect both workers and vehicles from the risk of collision, particularly in environments where visibility is often limited, and the movement of heavy loads can obstruct views.
Proximity Warning Systems: These systems use RFID technology to create a protective zone around vehicles and equipment. When a person or another vehicle enters this zone, an alert is triggered, giving operators time to react and prevent potential accidents.
%
30% of all injuries in this industry involve contact with heavy machinery.
The fatality rate is around 3.2 per 100,000 workers.
The injury rate in in the paper industry is 4 per 100 full-time workers.
Benefits of Using Proximity Warning Systems in the Paper Manufacturing Industry
✔ Fewer workplace accidents lead to savings on medical expenses, compensation claims, and repairs to expensive equipment.
✔ Helps paper mills meet stringent health and safety regulations, avoiding potential fines and improving compliance.
✔ Reduces downtime caused by accidents and disruptions, ensuring smoother operations in high-traffic areas.
✔ Proximity warning systems prevent collisions between forklifts and workers in busy paper mills, reducing the risk of injury.
Help your employees
to feel safe at work
Protect your
employer reputation
Improve your
safety culture
Mondi, a major player in the packaging and paper industry, enhanced its workplace safety by adopting ZoneSafe’s proximity warning systems. After a near-miss incident involving forklifts and pedestrians, Mondi installed ZoneSafe’s vehicle-to-person alert system in 2013, significantly reducing collision risks. Impressed by its effectiveness, Mondi expanded its safety measures in 2019 with additional features like forklift speed restrictions and vehicle-to-vehicle anti-collision systems.
Since implementing ZoneSafe, Mondi has reported no further incidents or near-misses, demonstrating the system’s success. The company has now extended ZoneSafe’s technology across multiple European sites.
“Since implementing ZoneSafe’s proximity warning systems, our workplace safety has significantly improved. After experiencing a near-miss with forklifts and pedestrians, we knew we had to take immediate action. We’re proud to say that since adopting ZoneSafe, we’ve had no incidents or near-misses, and we’ve now extended this technology to multiple sites across Europe.”
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