Manufacturing environments require hundreds of workers to manage operational tasks properly. Unlike roles in other industries that have adapted to working remotely during this global pandemic, many manufacturing jobs must still be done in-person. Here are some solutions that can help manufacturing plants continue to run smoothly while keeping employee health and safety top of mind. 

An effective way to keep employees safe and help reduce risk of exposure is to limit the number of infected individuals from entering the facility in the first place. One cost effective option is deploying a self-certification survey that employees are required to take before entering the building, which can be completed via a mobile app or web app. If employees share they are experiencing common COVID-related symptoms or have traveled to certain infection hot spots, they can be barred from entering the building once their survey results reach proper management via notification. 

Another way to minimize the risk of infection within a manufacturing facility is by adding health screening checkpoints to building entrances. These screenings can involve temperature checks (through Bluetooth thermometers or thermal imaging systems), in which only workers with a appropriate level temperatures would be permitted to enter the building.

Monitor Employee Movement

Computer vision systems support the ability to actively identify PPE gear, analyze response activities, best practices and other data points relevant to health and safety requirements. As social distancing remains a best practice for limiting spread, these systems can monitor the distance between employees and accordingly alert management if the recommended distance between two employees is not being followed. Computer visioning can also come into play if an employee has tested positive for infection by detecting and alerting anyone who may have come into contact with the infected person. 

Automate Administrative Tasks

While most manufacturing workers have to complete their tasks in-person, there is opportunity for some employees to operate remotely with the help of automation. Automating repetitive, administrative tasks, for example, is an easy first step. 

Manufacturing has many administrative functions that can benefit from office automation, including the following: 

• Inventory Management
• Facility Management
• Recording of Action Items and Meeting Minutes
• Responding to FAQ emails
• Creating and Filing Invoices