28 Jun 06/28/2019
In the automotive industry, the safety of workers is of utmost importance due to the numerous hazards they face. With automobile frames primarily made of metal, there is a constant risk of arm, hand, and eye injuries, exceptionally if workers are not equipped with the correct personal protective equipment (PPE).
One area where injuries are prevalent is the assembly line, where various componens come together in building vehicles. Assemblers working on the assembly line endure harsh conditions while performing repetitive tasks. Their job involves the bolting, clipping, placing, and fastening of thousands of parts, many of which have sharp edges.
Worker placing automobile parts with the 92743PU, a high-cut and high-dexterity glove.
This article will focus on the importance of PPE in automotive assembly and highlight the specific gloves assemblers should wear to ensure their safety during production. And, for anyone whose job involves assembling devices and equipment, such as those seeking electronic assembly gloves, this article is for you too. Everyone can use a good pair of assembly gloves with PVC dot grip!
Exciting developments have been observed in automotive safety, as the rates of injuries have been on a downward trend. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of injury cases in automotive manufacturing has significantly decreased, dropping from 10.2 per 100 full-time workers in 2003 to 5.6 per 100 full-time workers in 2010. While this decline is encouraging, it is essential to remain vigilant as potential dangers persist. Furthermore, with the growing production of new electric vehicles, sustaining the decrease in injury rates cannot be taken for granted.
During a recent AISTech tradeshow, a representative from one of the prominent Big 3 automakers highlighted an intriguing point. With the shift towards electric vehicles, there is a greater demand for thinner gauged metal in manufacturing. As a result, workers now require enhanced hand dexterity and grip to handle these thinner materials effectively. To address this need, we have developed innovative designs that offer improved dexterity and grip, and we will delve into those designs in greater detail below.
Refer to the chart below for a comprehensive overview of the incident rates of non-fatal injury cases across various automotive-related sub-industries. It serves as a valuable reference to understand the current landscape of safety in the automotive sector.
Recordable cases per 100 employees
We highlight each one of the above sub-industries in our central Automotive resource page.
The employment landscape in the United States has experienced significant changes in recent years. In 2016, the number of people employed as assemblers and fabricators across various automotive sub-industries reached 1,819,300. However, these roles face a challenging future as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 14% decline in assembler and fabricator jobs by 2026, primarily due to advances in automation.
While this projection may raise concerns, it is worth noting that the largest segment of workers in the automotive industry consists of those assembling the finished product. To delve into more specific figures, let's explore the number of assemblers and fabricators in several automotive sub-industries as of 2017:
In the subsequent sections, we will cover various aspects of these specialized roles within the automotive industry. For a more comprehensive understanding, the BLS provides a dedicated page addressing this type of worker, offering further insights into their employment trends and prospects.
BLS Handbook for Assemblers
As we delve into the intricacies of the automotive industry, it is essential to recognize the profound impact of Henry Ford's pioneering work in the United States. Ford's groundbreaking implementation of the assembly line introduced a paradigm shift in manufacturing processes, not only within the automotive sector but across numerous industries.
The assembly line concept entails a synchronized series of activities coinciding at multiple stations along the line. As one station completes its assembly task, the vehicle progresses to the next station. This efficient system enables the production of a larger volume of vehicles within a given timeframe.
Let's explore some of the distinctive stages of assembly within the automotive manufacturing process:
However, the journey continues. Other stations along the assembly line undertake vital installations such as the engine, petrol tank, exhaust system, and bumpers. We provide a comprehensive resource on our Automotive Vehicle Manufacturing page for an in-depth understanding of the intricate process steps involved. Feel free to explore the visual representation below, encompassing all 16 steps in the fascinating journey of vehicle manufacturing.
The automotive manufacturing process
Assemblers and fabricators play a vital role in seamlessly bringing together all the individual parts to create a fully functional and complete trailer or vehicle.
Their work involves utilizing power tools, machinery, and manual dexterity to transform separate components into a finished product. The proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential to ensure these skilled workers' safety during the assembly process. It safeguards them while they perform a range of assembly tasks, including:
For a full list of the work activities and tasks that assemblers perform, be sure to check out onetonline.org. It outlines the dangerous tasks that workers in this field face every day. This is why wearing the right PPE is so critical and why MCR Safety works hard to match the right PPE to the job.
Within the realm of assembly, the prevalence of metal and potential cut hazards necessitates utmost caution and appropriate protective measures. Workers constantly encounter metal components throughout various stages of automotive assembly, making it crucial to safeguard their hands and arms from potential injuries. Even minor contact with freshly welded metal can severely harm a worker.
However, the risks in automotive manufacturing extend beyond cut injuries alone. Employees in this industry face a myriad of hazards daily. They operate amidst substances like lubricants, brake fluid, oil, and grease, while also engaging in tasks such as lifting heavy objects, handling and inspecting metal with sharp or jagged edges, working with welding sparks, encountering flying objects, and encountering an array of other potential dangers.
To gain a deeper understanding of the hazards faced by automotive industry workers and explore suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) products to mitigate these risks, we invite you to visit our Automotive industry page. It provides invaluable insights into workers' challenges in this field and offers recommendations on PPE solutions to enhance safety.
When it comes to assembling components, worker accuracy, and speed are paramount. Selecting the appropriate gloves becomes crucial, as any downtime or restricted hand movement can significantly impact productivity, especially when handling bolts, nuts, or various parts. Ensuring optimal takt time becomes imperative in maintaining efficiency. Considering the ideal assembly gloves for your requirements, evaluating the level of cut protection they offer and the type of dip they feature is essential.
MCR Safety’s cut protection sorting tool. Click the image to start using!
We are excited to introduce two of our latest glove offerings, designed to deliver dexterity, cut protection, and a PU coating. These options are well-suited for the diverse activities performed by assembly workers.
MCR Safety Cut Pro™ (92743PU)
Cut: A6
Abrasion: 5
Puncture: 4
This advanced glove features a 13-gauge seamless salt & pepper Hypermax™ shell, providing exceptional cut, tear, and abrasion resistance. The gray PU-coated palm and fingertips offer a durable grip while concealing dirt, grit, and grime. Comfortable and easy to wear, this glove ensures excellent dexterity, enabling workers to handle even the most demanding tasks efficiently and comfortably.
Memphis Cut Pro™ (9828PU)
ANSI Ratings:
Cut: A5
Abrasion: 3
Puncture: 2
This advanced glove boasts an 18-gauge green/yellow Hypermax™ engineered yarn shell, delivering high levels of cut resistance. Its PU palm and finger coating offers superior dexterity, flexibility, and reliable abrasion resistance and grip. It eliminates concerns of hands slipping during work, allowing workers to focus on the task without distraction.
The continuous progress in fiber technology has revolutionized the realm of work gloves, enabling them to achieve a remarkable balance of reduced weight and enhanced strength. To assist you in finding the perfect gloves for your assembly and fabrication tasks, we present a comprehensive table below. Organized from left to right, the table categorizes gloves based on their gauge, offering a wide range of options to cater to your specific requirements. Whether you seek general-purpose gloves or gloves with specialized cut-resistance properties, we have the ideal solution to meet your needs.
Gauge Fiber Part # Performance
Gauge Fiber Part # Performance
Gauge Fiber Part # Cut Performance
We mentioned our Cut Protection page above. Our cut-resistant catalog is your next step for all cut-resistant options, including the sleeves that almost all assembly workers wear.
At MCR Safety, we prioritize the safety and well-being of automotive assembly workers by providing them with top-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) that offers reliable protection throughout their workday. Our commitment extends to ensuring that our PPE is effective and comfortable, allowing workers to maintain the necessary range of motion to complete their tasks efficiently.
While our discussion has primarily focused on assembly gloves and sleeves, we understand that automotive assembly workers require a comprehensive range of PPE solutions, including superior eye protection and flame-resistant (FR) apparel. To address these diverse needs, we offer an extensive lineup of PPE products, each meticulously designed to meet the rigorous demands of the automotive industry. For detailed information on these various PPE types, we invite you to explore our dedicated Automotive Industry page, where we delve deeper into each category, empowering workers with the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe on the job.
For over 45 years, MCR Safety has proven to be a world-leader in gloves, glasses, and garments. Whether it’s on the shop floor, an oil rig, or a construction site, we are there providing solutions to workplace hazards. It’s all part of our commitment to protect people.
No matter your industry, we have the personal protection equipment you need.
We Protect People!
Learn more about MCR Safety by checking out our most recent video. For more information, browse our website, request a catalog, find a distributor, or give us a call at 800-955-6887.
Each year, more than 2.5 million eye injuries occur. Protect yourself by finding the right eye protection for the job.
GET THE STATS!
Learn what the common injuries are around various industries.