Work environment safety and ergonomics in the print shop

The craft can look quiet from outside, but a printing house is a workplace with risks that must be taken seriously. Serious injuries rarely happen from an accident alone — they happen when safety is skipped to save time. Good professionalism is also working so you're still healthy in many years.

Printing machines have rollers and parts that move quickly and with great force. The most important rule is simple: never reach into a machine while it is running. If you need to correct an error or clean, stop the machine completely and ensure it cannot start again before your hands are clear.

• 01Always use the shielding the machine is equipped with.
• 02Stop and secure the machine before you intervene.
• 03Keep loose clothing, jewelry, strings and long hair away from the rollers.
• 04Learn where the emergency stop is — before you need it.

Print inks and cleaning agents can release vapours and be harmful if they contact the skin. Use gloves and extraction where required, and ensure good ventilation. Read the safety data sheet before using a new product, and handle waste as instructed. What seems harmless in a single moment can be harmful day after day.

Large machines are loud, and paper emits fine dust that can irritate the airways. Use hearing protection where it's loud, and keep the workplace clean so dust doesn't accumulate. A good indoor climate is not a luxury — it's part of a healthy work environment.

Much of the work takes place standing, and paper and printed materials can be heavy. Incorrect lifting and poor working postures over time can cause injuries to the back, shoulders and wrist. Think about how you stand and lift — your body does not always send the bill right away.

• 01Lift with bent legs and straight back, and keep the load close to your body.
• 02Use aids such as pallet lifters for heavy stacks instead of carrying.
• 03Change position and move, if you stand for long periods at a time.
• 04Set table heights and screens so you avoid sitting or standing at an angle.

“The safest printing shop is not the slowest — it is the one where routines are so solid that safety runs by itself.”